Saint Maud Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A nurse with a God complex gets a new patient and decides her way to heaven is through manslaughter and spontaneous combustion.

🍿 Saint Maud: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Introduction to Maud

The film introduces Katie, a nurse who experiences a traumatic event involving a patient’s death. Haunted by this experience, she renames herself Maud and embraces a devout Roman Catholic faith. She begins working as a private palliative care nurse in a bleak English seaside town, seeking solace and purpose.

Maud’s Obsession with Amanda

Maud is assigned to care for Amanda, a terminally ill dancer and choreographer. Amanda, bitter and fearful of death, confides in Maud. Maud becomes convinced that God has chosen her to save Amanda’s soul, leading to an obsessive conviction that consumes her thoughts and actions. She interprets everyday occurrences as signs from God, reinforcing her mission.

Conflict and Rejection

Maud becomes increasingly suspicious of Amanda’s companion, Carol, viewing her as a threat to Amanda’s salvation. This leads to conflict and ultimately Maud’s dismissal after an outburst at Amanda’s birthday party. Feeling rejected by both Amanda and God, Maud’s mental state deteriorates, blurring the lines between reality and delusion.

Descent into Madness

Following her dismissal, Maud seeks companionship but faces further rejection and a traumatic encounter. She isolates herself, further fueling her religious fervor and mental instability. Maud interprets a vortex in the clouds as a divine sign, solidifying her belief that she must perform an act of faith.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Maud (Morfydd Clark): A reclusive and deeply religious nurse who becomes dangerously obsessed with saving the soul of her dying patient.
• Amanda (Jennifer Ehle): A terminally ill, former dancer who becomes the object of Maud’s religious obsession and a symbol of a life Maud rejects.
• Carol (Lily Frazer): Amanda’s lover, whose presence exacerbates Maud’s anxieties and religious fervor.
• Richard (Marcus Hutton): A character who represents the mundane world that Maud rejects.
• Homeless Pat (Carl Prekopp): A character to whom Maud delivers one of the movies more memorable lines: ‘Never waste your pain.’

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Maud: “Never waste your pain.” – Maud says this to a homeless man, reflecting her belief in suffering as a path to spiritual growth.
• Amanda: “Dying can be so dull.” – Amanda expresses her boredom and frustration with her terminal illness.
• Maud: “I’m a vessel of God.” – Maud proclaims her role as a conduit for divine purpose and will.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $4,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $61,135
• Worldwide Gross: $1,383,868

💥 Saint Maud Reviews

Personal Review

I was completely gripped by ‘Saint Maud.’ The film builds a sense of dread so effectively. Morfydd Clark’s performance is mesmerizing and disturbing, and the ending is truly shocking. The exploration of faith and mental illness is handled with nuance, making it more than just a typical horror movie. The scene where Maud feels God’s presence is both beautiful and terrifying. Definitely a movie that stayed with me long after watching it and made me think.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of psychological horror”
  • “Viewers interested in character studies”
  • “Those who appreciate independent and arthouse films”
  • “Audiences seeking thought-provoking and unsettling experiences”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Strong language”
  • “Disturbing images”
  • “Violence”
  • “Suicide”
  • “Religious themes”
  • “Implied sexual assault”

Professional Reviews

• Variety: “Rose Glass’s debut is a chilling, stylish exploration of faith, madness, and loneliness. Morfydd Clark delivers a powerhouse performance as Maud, a nurse convinced she must save her patient’s soul. The film’s unsettling atmosphere and ambiguous ending will stay with you long after the credits roll.
• The Guardian: “A truly terrifying and thought-provoking film. Saint Maud is a psychological horror masterpiece that delves into the darkest corners of religious fanaticism. Morfydd Clark is phenomenal, and Rose Glass is a talent to watch.
• One Mann’s Movies: “Saint Maud packs a punch, delivering psycho-religious chills. Morfydd Clark is simply superb and Jennifer Ehle provides splendid support. The film’s music and claustrophobic atmospherics is also impressive.

Audience Reactions

The ending is intense and leaves you speechless.: Most viewers praised Morfydd Clark’s outstanding performance and the film’s unnerving atmosphere.

A slow burn that really gets under your skin.: Many people loved the exploration of faith, mental illness, and loneliness but found the ending disappointing.

Overall Consensus: A disturbing and thought-provoking psychological horror film with a standout performance from Morfydd Clark.

Awards

1. British Independent Film Award (Best Director)- 2020
2. British Independent Film Award (Best Actress)- 2020
3. British Independent Film Award (Best Cinematography)- 2020

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Rose Glass originally wrote Maud with a more explicit backstory, but removed most of it in the final draft as she found it too similar to Carrie (1976), feeling it was a story she’d seen before.”
• “The cockroach in the film is credited as Nancy, presumably named after Nancy Spungen. The ‘Bug Wrangler,’ Grace Dickinson, had another one called Sid.”

🖥️ How to Watch Saint Maud?

As of October 2024, ‘Saint Maud’ is available to rent or purchase on various platforms including Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, and Vudu. Check your local listings for availability and pricing. Some streaming services may include ‘Saint Maud’ in their subscription library on a rotating basis, so keep an eye out!

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Saint Maud, you might like these similar films:

• The Exorcist (1973): A classic religious horror film exploring themes of faith, possession, and the battle between good and evil.
• Carrie (1976): Shares themes of religious extremism, social isolation, and a protagonist pushed to a violent breaking point.
• First Reformed (2017): A character study of a religious figure grappling with faith, doubt, and existential despair.
• Black Swan (2010): Explores the psychological breakdown of a woman driven by ambition and perfectionism, leading to a descent into madness.

🛒 Saint Maud Related Products

• Saint Maud [Blu-ray]: Own the film on Blu-ray and delve deeper into the unsettling world of Saint Maud with exclusive behind-the-scenes features and interviews.
• Religious Art Print – Sacred Heart of Jesus: Beautiful fine art to fill the spiritual side. High quality fine art. 8×10 ready to frame.
• The Exorcist [Blu-ray]: Own the film on Blu-ray and delve deeper into the religious themes.
• Personalized Prayer Journal for Women: A devotional journal designed to connect with God through prayer and journaling.

🎧 Soundtrack

Saint Maud features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Careless” – performed by Al Bowlly
• “Original Score” – performed by Adam Janota Bzowski

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

The True Terror of SAINT MAUD

Want to really understand what makes ‘Saint Maud’ so unsettling? This video breaks down the film’s deepest themes and explores the true source of its horror. It’s super insightful, I was surprised by some of the things I missed!

SAINT MAUD director Rose Glass + stars Morfydd Clark, Jennifer Ehle | BFI London Film Festival 2019

Ever wonder what the people who made ‘Saint Maud’ were thinking? This interview with the director and stars gives you a peek behind the curtain. It’s fascinating to hear their take on the characters and the story, definitely adds another layer to the film!

SAINT MAUD (2019) EXPLAINED! *spoilers + What you missed | Spookyastronauts

Confused about the ending or some of the symbolism in ‘Saint Maud’? This video explains everything you might have missed. Honestly, it cleared up a lot for me and made me appreciate the film even more.

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