Saint Maud
| Company type | Production company |
|---|---|
| Industry | Film production |
| Headquarters | United Kingdom |
| Products | Films |
| Parent | Film4 Productions, British Film Institute (financial supporters) |
Saint Maud is a 2019 psychological horror film from the United Kingdom, marking the feature directorial debut of Rose Glass, who also penned the screenplay. The narrative centers on Morfydd Clark portraying a recently devout religious private carer who becomes obsessively determined to save the soul of her patient. The cast also includes Jennifer Ehle, Lily Frazer, Lily Knight, Marcus Hutton, Turlough Convery, and Rosie Sansom in supporting roles.
The film had its first screening at the Toronto International Film Festival on 8 September 2019, followed by its UK theatrical release on 9 October 2020 through StudioCanal. It was met with widespread critical praise, notably for Glass's direction and script, the performances delivered by Clark and Ehle, as well as Ben Fordesman's cinematography. At the 74th British Academy Film Awards, Glass received nominations for Outstanding British Film and Outstanding Debut by a British Writer, Director or Producer. The film achieved a record-breaking seventeen nominations at the British Independent Film Awards 2020, securing two wins: Best Cinematography for Fordesman and the Douglas Hickox Award honoring Glass.
Plot
Katie, a nurse, unsuccessfully attempts CPR on a patient who ultimately dies. Subsequently adopting the name Maud, she embraces Roman Catholicism devoutly and takes up work as a private palliative care nurse in a coastal town in England. Her new assignment involves caring for Amanda, an American ex-dancer with terminal stage four lymphoma, who lives a hedonistic lifestyle. Amanda harbors fears about death’s finality, while Maud believes she has been divinely appointed to rescue Amanda’s soul. Together, they experience moments that seem to be spiritual rapture during prayer.
Maud becomes wary of Carol, Amanda’s frequent visitor and romantic partner. Concerned that Carol’s presence threatens Amanda’s spiritual salvation, Maud insists Carol cease her visits. Carol accuses Maud of homophobia, an allegation Maud rejects. At Amanda’s birthday celebration, attendees ridicule Maud’s attempts to distance Carol, nicknaming her "Saint Maud." Amanda mocks Maud as a jealous and homophobic prude. In response, Maud strikes Amanda and is subsequently dismissed from her position.
Feeling abandoned by God, Maud seeks solace in a pub but is met with rejection. She leaves accompanied by a man but experiences distressing flashbacks during their encounter; the situation escalates into sexual assault as the man rapes her and later derides her past.
Upon seeing Amanda with a new nurse and witnessing their close bond, Maud abruptly leaves in anger. At home, she prays fervently for divine guidance and interprets this as a call to express her faith through self-inflicted suffering.
That evening, clad in a robe and rosary beads, Maud returns to Amanda’s residence after the nurse departs. Amanda apologizes for ridiculing Maud’s beliefs but admits their shared spiritual moments were fabricated and denies God's existence. Enraged by this confession, Maud fatally stabs Amanda.
The following morning, Maud walks onto a beach where she pours acetone over herself and sets herself on fire while repeating "Glory to God" in Welsh. As angelic wings appear on her back and witnesses kneel in awe, the scene abruptly shifts to the harsh reality of her burning alive.
Production
The film was produced by Escape Plan Productions, supported financially by Film4 Productions and the British Film Institute. In November 2018, the cast, which featured Clark and Ehle, was finalized. Under the direction of Rose Glass, who also wrote the screenplay, principal photography commenced that same month in locations across North London and Scarborough, continuing for a duration of five weeks.
Release
Saint Maud had its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival on 8 September 2019. Soon after, distribution rights were secured by A24 and StudioCanal for North America and the United Kingdom, Diaphana Distribution for France, and Sony Pictures Worldwide Acquisitions for other international markets. The film was also featured at Fantastic Fest and the BFI London Film Festival, where it earned a Special Commendation in the Official Competition, recognizing director Rose Glass as an emerging talent in British cinema.
Originally planned for release in the US on 10 April 2020 and the UK on 1 May 2020, the premiere dates were postponed due to the COVID-19 outbreak. The US theatrical launch was rescheduled to 17 July 2020 but was eventually canceled. The film ultimately debuted in UK cinemas on 9 October 2020, followed by DVD and Blu-ray releases on 1 February 2021. In the United States, Saint Maud had a limited theatrical run starting 29 January 2021 before becoming available on video-on-demand platforms and via Epix on 12 February 2021.
Critical response
Director Danny Boyle described Saint Maud as "a truly unsettling and captivating film," commending its assuredness and likening it to iconic horror films such as Carrie, The Exorcist, and Jonathan Glazer's Under the Skin. Katie Rife from The A.V. Club awarded it a "B+" grade, emphasizing its shocking conclusion. Danny Brogan of Common Sense Media characterized it as a "profoundly disturbing yet excellent debut feature," noting its exploration of themes like isolation and redemption beyond conventional jump scares.
Renowned critic Mark Kermode named it his top film of 2020, calling it an "electrifying first feature." In July 2025, The Hollywood Reporter placed it at number 15 on their list of the "25 Best Horror Movies of the 21st Century."
Accolades
Stage adaptation
In 2024, Saint Maud was transformed for the stage by writer Jessica Andrews in collaboration with director Jack McNamara, presented through the Live Theatre Company.
External links
- Saint Maud at the British Film Institute
- Articles with short description
- 2019 films
- 2019 directorial debut films
- 2019 horror films
- 2019 independent films
- 2019 LGBTQ-related films
- 2019 psychological thriller films
- 2010s British films
- 2010s English-language films
- 2010s psychological horror films
- A24 (company) films
- British body horror films
- British independent films
- British LGBTQ-related films
- British psychological horror films
- British psychological thriller films
- British religious horror films
- English-language horror thriller films
- English-language independent films
- Film4 Productions films
- Films about Catholicism
- Films about nurses
- Films postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic
- Films shot in London
- Films shot in Scarborough
- Lesbian-related films
- LGBTQ-related horror thriller films
- LGBTQ-related independent films
- Stage 6 Films films
- StudioCanal films
- Films directed by Rose Glass