Horror flick ‘Saint Maud’ will scare the devil out of you – The Patriot Ledger

By Al Alexander| For The Patriot Ledger

Like an antithesis of The Exorcist, the chilling, darkly funny Saint Maud imagines in utter horror the what ifs of a pretty, traumatized young woman possessed not by the devil, but God. Obviously, evangelicals need not apply. But perhaps they should. In many ways, Rose Glass targets her holy, er wholly, original spine-tingler at the fervency of members of the religious right who feel it a duty to inflict their beliefs upon others like it or not.

And in so doing, the first-time writer-director presents a credible scenario in which proselytizing inevitably leads to combustibility, both of the soul and the flesh. And, yes, there are most definitely sexual undertones in which the Rapture is rapturously orgasmic. But before condemning Glass to hell, know she also applies the rod to heathens quick to condemn the faithful, assuring that in the quirky parable she creates, no one gets out alive.

More: Movie: Colin Firth and Stanley Tucci burn brightly in 'Supernova'

It no doubt took more than a week for her astute script to undergo a genesis so divine its tough to avert your eyes from the biblical tug of war waged between a deeply troubled hospice nurse and her new patient, a cancer-ridden atheist simultaneously charmed and repulsed by her curious caregivers piety. The former is the Maud of the title, a reference to the canonized 10th-century queen of Germany, the patron saint of misbehaving children. Shes played with pure abandon by little-known Welshactress Morfydd Clark (Love & Friendship), whose pallid face and far-away eyes inform the instability of a woman in desperate need of psychiatric aid.

Perhaps its because of the ravages of spinal lymphoma that her client, Amanda (Jennifer Ehle, superb), cannot recognize the depravity lurking within her peculiar new caregiver. Bravely, she fancies herself the cat and Maud the mouse in a spiteful game of diminishing spiritualitys validity. Abetting Amanda, a once celebrated dancer-choreographer, is her pretty new lover, Carol (Lily Fraser), a female gigolo with conniving eyes expressing love for her paramours riches.

More: 'The White Tiger' takes a ferocious look at class divide

Maud, naturally, takes exception to this lustful liaison to a degree you know things will not end well. Besides, she harbors a bit of a platonic crush on Amanda herself, especially after the latter gifts her a book of poetry by William Blake, a writer who famously dissed organized religion for not allowing followers to think for themselves. Any similarities between those thoughts and evangelicals are purely intentional. But thats hardly Glass lone intent.

Rather, shes more interested in religion as a means of guilt-fueled self-destruction illustrated by Mauds steady dive into madness and self-mutilation. With a huge assist via Adam Janota Bzowskis terrifying score and Ben Fordesmans liberal use of sexually charged religious imagery, Mauds fall from grace is a riveting spectacle for the senses. Its shocking and disturbing, but its often oddly beautiful, especially the colorful exteriors shot amid the carnival-like atmosphere of the seaside community of Scarborough where the story is set.

More: Carey Mulligan and Ralph Fiennes search for buried treasure in 'The Dig'

Kudos, too, go to set designer Paulina Rzeszowska for creating evocative eerie interiors, both in Amandas gothic mansion on a hill and Mauds sparse, tellingly subterranean hovel of an apartment. Both venues reek of dread, despair and death. Yet, I often found myself laughing hysterically, particularly during Mauds encounters with a former co-worker in Lily Knights Joy, who is as slack jawed as we by the oddball she knows only as Katie. Katie, Maud? What gives? I wont say, just know the two pals share a very dark experience from their past. Very dark!

True, Saint Maud'' might not be your conventional horror picture, but its no less successful at raising goosebumps. Glass clearly is an expert in mood-setting and manipulation. You give yourself over to her willingly as she boldly suggests too muchand too little religion can only end badly, stigmata or not. Bloody good, I say.

Movie review

Saint Maud

(Not rated.) Cast includes Morfydd Clark, Jennifer Ehle, Lily Fraser and Lily Knight. In theaters Jan. 29 before it begins streaming on Epix Feb. 12. Grade: A-

More: Music Scene: Norwell's Les Sampou releases timely new song, 'Lies from Truth'

More: Pixar's latest animated film is filled with heart and 'Soul'

More: Regina King's terrific 'One Night in Miami' unites four legends

Go here to read the rest:

Horror flick 'Saint Maud' will scare the devil out of you - The Patriot Ledger