Saint Clare

"Saint Clare" is a movie that I had not heard about prior to stumbling upon it here in 2025. And seeing that it was a horror movie of sorts, of course I opted to watch it.

Writers Mitzi Peirone and Guinevere Turner put together a script and narrative that started out nicely enough, but sort of stagnated and grew a bit boring and dull about halfway through. Granted, I haven't read the novel from writer Don Roff, so I don't know how true screen writers Mitzi Peirone and Guinevere Turner were to the source material.

The acting performances in the movie were good, and it was nice to see Rebecca De Mornay on the screen again. Aside from Rebecca De Mornay, the only familiar faces on the screen, for me at least, were Frank Whaley and Ryan Phillippe.

Visually, the movie was okay, but nothing outstanding.

Watchable, for sure, but I have to say that "Saint Clare" fell short of properly entertaining me from start to end.

"Saint Clare" is more of a thriller than it is a horror movie.

My rating of director Mitzi Peirone's 2024 movie "Saint Clare" lands on a four out of ten stars.

I'd had this film on my watch list for quite a while as the premise sounded intriguing and from what I know about Bella Thorne, she's keen on artistic risks. While it was intriguing, it certainly wasn't worth the wait.

There are plenty of interesting ideas on offer, but several are under utilised or forgotten about. There's artistic flare at times, reminiscent of other recent horror such as Censor and, to a lesser extent, Saint Maud, but frankly the film is put together so sloppily that these are few and far between. For example, about ten minutes or so into the film, we're introduced to Frank Whaley's character, and it seems like we're suddenly getting a dynamic akin to Griffin Dunne in An American Werewolf in London, but the film soon gets bored of that.

Bella Thorne was fine as the titular Clare, and Whaley isn't bad either, but the rest of the cast felt either limp, hammy or in Ryan Phillipe's case, wooden. These performances, coupled with predictable twists and haphazard editing and directing create something held together with tape rather than superglue and it comes close to falling apart completely.

I really wanted to like this film after waiting for so long, and while I didn't hate it, it falls into the category of forgettable films like The Night House.

Wow went in with the lowest expectations but was extremely happily surprised. Would definitely recommend watching. Felt like I was watching an A24 movie. The pacing is fantastic, character development of Clare is unforgettable and the imagery with incredible editing and sound will make the stand out scenes stay with you. It's a mystery and you never know where it's going next. The fight scenes are very Luc Besson Lucy meets Fifth Element with the telepathic powers of Unbreakable. Yeah some of the acting is a bit cheese but in an era where movies fail to keep my attention, it's amazing to see such a cinematic take on a girl kicking ass and serving justice!

This movie can't get out of it's own way. The story had some potential, but had so many glaring plot holes, it made very little sense.

Throw in some really wooden, uninspired performances, choppy dialogue, and lack of any relevant back story, and this film is a complete disaster.

On the bright side, Frank Whaley was solid. He was the only I can say that about.

Yes there is the music group, but I am not talking about them (or am I?), so no pun intended as always. Bella Thorne took a liking to the subject matter of the movie - they even showed a short movie she did (where she plans to do a feature length) ... and it had also a theme of ... well people being abused to say the least.

This has an amazing Frank Whaley in it ... I actually wish there was more of him in here! He is so good in this - like a good sidekick if you want to call him that ... while he actually shouldn't be on her side ... one might think. That said, if this was just "reality" he shouldn't be there at all ... but this is a heightened this is meant to be a bit more than the truth.

Unfortunately what is shown here does happen in reality .. so having a vigilante going after the bad people ... not a bad thing. Even if it goes a bit ... or more than just a bit out there ... with some characters acting completely irrational ... it still is a decent watch to say the least ... suspense and all that.