Saint Maud

Saint Maud, directed by Rose Glass and starring Morfydd Clark, Jennifer Ehle, and Caoilfhionn Dunne, is a gripping British psychological horror film released in 2019. The film showcases an engaging blend of mental struggle, spiritual conflict, and unsettling horror that keeps viewers on the edge of their seats.

The storyline unfolds in a small seaside town in England, where a young, somewhat reclusive nurse named Maud, portrayed compellingly by Morfydd Clark, finds employment as a private caregiver. Maud is assigned to look after Amanda, a critically ill former dancer and choreographer portrayed with equal depth by Jennifer Ehle. As the plot unfolds, the relationship between the two women becomes increasingly complex and spirals downward into an eerie and unnerving psychological thriller.

The movie does an exquisite job of playing out the transformation of Maud from a seemingly humble nurse to a deeply troubled woman grappling with her intense religious beliefs. Maud is depicted as a deeply devout Roman Catholic, and her obsession with her belief system and her divine mission lends an eerie aura to the movie. The darkness and intensity of Maud's compulsion creates an environment pervaded by a sense of sinister, hair-raising dread that only deepens as the narrative progresses.

But the film isn't just about Maud's struggle with her faith. It also explores her troubled past, her loneliness, and her desperate need for redemption and purpose. This exploration helps in underpinning the reasons behind Maud's growing fanaticism and her eventual transformation. It adds a layer of psychological depth to the narrative and pulls the audience into Maud's world— a world torn between reality and twisted spiritual beliefs.

What sets Saint Maud apart is its emphasis on character study, relying heavily on the exceptional performances of its lead actors. Morfydd Clark delivers a tour de force performance, capturing Maud's internal struggles and shifting mental state with remarkable nuance and intensity. Jennifer Ehle, on the other hand, embodies the elusive and increasingly scared Amanda excellently, providing the perfect foil to Clark's Maud.

The cinematography in Saint Maud deserves particular mention. Director Rose Glass utilizes the dimly lit, claustrophobic setting to instill a sense of discomfort and apprehension that lingers throughout the film. The use of very tight close-up shots of the lead actors further adds to the discomfort, ensuring that viewers are thrust into the increasingly warped world of Maud's psyche and Amanda's growing fear.

Adding another layer to the macabre atmosphere of the film is the eerie soundscape, composed by Adam Janota Bzowski. The intrusive sounds, stark soundscapes, and uncomfortable silences create an undercurrent of anxiety, perfectly accentuating the creeping dread and disquiet of the narrative.

Glass also expertly uses the device of visuals to reflect Maud's mental degradation. The instances of visual representation of Maud's religious delusions are quite disturbing and serve as potent commentaries on the destructive influence of fanaticism and obsession.

Despite being a horror movie, Saint Maud isn't a conventional scare fest. It leans more towards psychological horror, using oppressive visuals and unsettling sound design to create an atmosphere of perpetual dread rather than resorting to jump scares or gratuitous violence.

In sum, Saint Maud is a shocking, oppressively atmospheric horror film that deftly explores themes of faith, obsession, loneliness, and transformation. It provides viewers with an intense psychological exploration, led by brilliant performances from its lead actors Morfydd Clark and Jennifer Ehle. Its eerie and unsettling atmosphere, combined with the smart writing, intricate character study, and stunning cinematography make it an exciting watch for those seeking something profound and deeply unnerving in the horror genre.

While the film's use of discomforting visuals, unsettling soundscape, and its focus on psychological rather than overt horror isn't for everyone, for those who admire the macabre, Saint Maud offers a unique and chilling cinematic experience. It truly is an impressive directorial debut by Rose Glass, navigating the audience through Maud's dark, spiritual journey while leaving them pondering long after the final scene fades.