Saint Maud - 1 February 2021 (Studiocanal)

[AlexMcL]

I loved it. Good length, didn't outstay it's welcome. Didn't feel the need to ram exposition down your throat, assumed you were smart enough to read between the lines. A superb British horror IMO, leagues better than something like Hereditary that treats the viewer like they're a dunce.

[McCrutchy]

I watched this and thought it was just okay. For a debut feature, Glass has definite potential and Morfydd Clark gives a great performance, but unlike most of you, I wasn't disappointed that this is a "psychological horror" film, but rather that it is

[Show spoiler]all too obvious that Maud was simply a girl off her rocker and that all of what was happening was in her mind. The film is going for that Ari Aster / Robert Eggers-type of new psychological horror vibe, but it isn't scary, just sad, and it should have leaned more into the sadness of what is going on.

Clearly, everything in the film is explainable as a symptom of psychological illness. So, not only is it not surprising that Maud killed Amanda--and did so in her worst episode of delirium where she hallucinated that Amanda was "the Devil"--but it also is not surprising that, in classic "I am a religious martyr" fashion, she self-immolates on the beach at the end. Even her fragmented final scream at the end proves that Maud's vision of peaceful sacrifice is actually a lie, and depending on your viewpoint, it could be the nastiest moment in the film, one where Katie finally realizes that everything she thought as Maud was false and that she is not, nor will she ever be, "Saint Maud". I think if the whole film had been like that last shot, it might have been far more effective, but perhaps much more difficult to watch.

Maybe I am something of a cynic, but I saw nothing supernatural in the film. And without a sense that there could be something unexplainable going on, I'm not sure where the horror could come from.

EDIT: I ended up posting this as I was rushing out the door and as a result, some of the grammar was a bit naff. It's been fixed now, so sorry if anyone had to puzzle it out before.

[CelestialAgent]

Glass’ earlier short films and music videos are on Vimeo

https://vimeo.com/173031270

[hellmotel]

This is the only film I've come across that refuses to play on my region free player. No idea why. Finally just ended up watching it on Hulu and loved it.

[The Debts]

I know this is the thread for the UK release but any word on the upcoming Canadian one? I'm eyeing to get that one sometime this year, considering it doesn't look like A24 won't give this a proper release in the States (though I'd love to be surprised).

[Jim B.]

Originally Posted by McCrutchy

I watched this and thought it was just okay. For a debut feature, Glass has definite potential and Morfydd Clark gives a great performance, but unlike most of you, I wasn't disappointed that this is a "psychological horror" film, but rather that it is

[Show spoiler]all too obvious that Maud was simply a girl off her rocker and that all of what was happening was in her mind. The film is going for that Ari Aster / Robert Eggers-type of new psychological horror vibe, but it isn't scary, just sad, and it should have leaned more into the sadness of what is going on.

Clearly, everything in the film is explainable as a symptom of psychological illness. So, not only is it not surprising that Maud killed Amanda--and did so in her worst episode of delirium where she hallucinated that Amanda was "the Devil"--but it also is not surprising that, in classic "I am a religious martyr" fashion, she self-immolates on the beach at the end. Even her fragmented final scream at the end proves that Maud's vision of peaceful sacrifice is actually a lie, and depending on your viewpoint, it could be the nastiest moment in the film, one where Katie finally realizes that everything she thought as Maud was false and that she is not, nor will she ever be, "Saint Maud". I think if the whole film had been like that last shot, it might have been far more effective, but perhaps much more difficult to watch.

Maybe I am something of a cynic, but I saw nothing supernatural in the film. And without a sense that there could be something unexplainable going on, I'm not sure where the horror could come from.

EDIT: I ended up posting this as I was rushing out the door and as a result, some of the grammar was a bit naff. It's been fixed now, so sorry if anyone had to puzzle it out before.

There was nothing supernatural about it, the point was it was all in her mind. The director has said this. You are watching the breakdown of a young woman and it's horrific to watch just as that, her delusion, and the ending where for a brief moment you see her agony.

Maybe strictly speaking a psychological thriller but with horror seeing her break down.

[Ste7en]

I thought it was excellent. Sublimely shot and lit.

Wish I bought the steelbook now

[JoePo]

Nothing enrages people more than a universally well-reviewed modern horror.

People crawl out of the woodwork to tell you how unscary and generally rubbish it is.

[Peachfuzz]

It's a good film, for sure. I absolutely loved that final shot.

[formula_nebula]

Originally Posted by Ste7en

I thought it was excellent. Sublimely shot and lit.

Wish I bought the steelbook now

The steelbook is a beaut! Glad to have it in my collection

[Ste7en]

Damn! Not what I wanted to hear

I may have to pay scalper prices

[levcore]

Still need to watch this on streaming, the fact that it's more of a psychological character study is putting me off though. My wife really wants to watch it though so I'm sure we'll get around to it at some point.

[Peachfuzz]

Originally Posted by levcore

Still need to watch this on streaming, the fact that it's more of a psychological character study is putting me off though.

It's a character piece, for sure, but it isn't ponderous. This is true horror. Don't get me wrong, I love my crazy slashers, etc., but this is the kind of horror that walks among us everyday. Most of us probably brush shoulders with it on occasion. The fact that it's completely invisible is even more terrifying.

[Jim B.]

Originally Posted by JoePo

Nothing enrages people more than a universally well-reviewed modern horror.

People crawl out of the woodwork to tell you how unscary and generally rubbish it is.

???

Nearly everyone here is very positive about the film. Where are you getting this reaction from?

[levcore]

Watched this yesterday. It was certainly well made and well acted but yeah, not really my kind of "horror" movie. An interesting exploration of mental health but not something I'd be in any rush to rewatch.

[asacmurr]

Saint Maud (2019) - Lionsgate BD vs Studiocanal BD
https://slow.pics/c/PheKeJ07