Saint Maud 2021
Directed by
Rose Glass
Made by
A24
Plot Summary
A nurse named Katie struggles to save a patient in her care despite a desperate attempt at CPR. Time passes, and she adopts a new identity as Maud, becoming a devoted Roman Catholic. Now working as a private palliative care nurse in a quaint seaside town in England, she is assigned to care for Amanda (Jennifer Ehle), a former dancer and choreographer from the U.S. who is facing stage four lymphoma. Amanda is embittered by her diagnosis and candidly expresses her profound fear of the oblivion that death brings.
In a twist of fate, Maud believes that she has been chosen by God to save Amanda’s soul, who has long rejected faith. Their relationship grows as Maud shares her belief in divine presence, and together they experience moments of ecstatic prayer. However, tensions rise when Maud grows wary of Amanda’s companion, Carol (Lily Frazer), who regularly visits and has a financial arrangement with Amanda for intimacy.
Determined to protect Amanda’s soul, Maud begs Carol to cease her visits, fearing for her patient’s spiritual wellbeing. Yet, during Amanda’s birthday celebration, Amanda publicly derides Maud, revealing that she tried to separate them. In a fit of anger, Maud strikes Amanda, leading to her dismissal from her caregiving position.
Feeling abandoned by God, Maud seeks solace in a local pub but finds herself ostracized. After an encounter that turns traumatic, she is haunted by memories of past failures, including the death of her patient. Her emotional turmoil deepens when she comes across Amanda’s new nurse and sees their amiable relationship, which infuriates her.
In the solitude of her rundown apartment, Maud begs for divine guidance, and feels that God is urging her to prepare for a significant act of faith. She interprets a swirling cloud formation as a holy sign. That night, adorned in a makeshift robe and clutching rosary beads, she sneaks into Amanda’s home after the new care nurse has left. There, she finds the frail Amanda in bed, who, seeking forgiveness for her earlier mockery, suggests they reminisce about their shared experience of divine presence—only to reveal that it was all a deception, and that God is just an illusion.
In horror, Maud realizes the truth and a furious confrontation ensues, culminating in her stabbing Amanda in a delirious frenzy, believing she is acting on God’s will. The next morning, in a chilling act of despair, Maud walks onto the beach, drenches herself in acetone, and prays, uttering her final words in Welsh—“Glory to God”—before igniting herself in flames. In her last agonizing moments, she envisions angelic wings as onlookers kneel in awe, yet the reality of her pain remains brutally poignant as she screams, trapped in the balance between grace and horror.
Timeline
Katie's Struggle
A nurse named Katie faces a dire situation as she desperately tries to save a patient who is in critical condition. Despite her relentless efforts at CPR, she realizes the gravity of the situation and the ultimate loss that is about to occur.
Adopting a New Identity
After the traumatic experience, Katie adopts a new identity as Maud and fully embraces her faith, becoming a devoted Roman Catholic. She relocates to a quaint seaside town in England to start anew.
Caring for Amanda
Maud is assigned to care for Amanda, a former dancer and choreographer suffering from stage four lymphoma. Amanda's bitterness toward her diagnosis is palpable as she openly expresses her fears about death and oblivion.
Feeling Chosen by God
As Maud grows closer to Amanda, she becomes convinced that she has been chosen by God to save Amanda's soul. This belief intensifies their relationship, allowing them to share moments of ecstatic prayer and spiritual connection.
Tension with Carol
Maud becomes increasingly wary of Amanda's companion, Carol, who has a financial arrangement with Amanda. Feeling protective over Amanda's spiritual wellbeing, Maud insists that Carol must stop visiting.
Birthday Incident
During Amanda's birthday celebration, tensions explode when Amanda publicly denounces Maud, exposing her attempts to separate them. In a moment of rage, Maud strikes Amanda, leading to her dismissal from the nursing position.
Search for Solace
Feeling rejected and abandoned by God, Maud seeks comfort in a local pub. However, she finds herself ostracized and plagued by traumatic memories of past failures, particularly the death of her former patient.
Jealousy and Anguish
Discovering Amanda's new nurse and their friendly dynamic causes Maud to spiral deeper into jealousy and emotional turmoil. The sight of their bond infuriates her and adds to her sense of despair.
Divine Guidance
In her rundown apartment, Maud pleads for divine direction, feeling an urge to prepare for a significant act of faith. She interprets a swirling cloud formation as a holy sign, believing it is a message from God.
Confrontation with Amanda
That night, Maud sneaks into Amanda's home, hoping to confront her. In a moment of vulnerability, Amanda seeks forgiveness, only to reveal that her experience of divine presence was fabricated, shattering Maud's beliefs.
The Fatal Decision
Overcome by horror and betrayal, Maud confronts Amanda with fury, leading to a frenzied and tragic encounter. In a moment of delirium, Maud stabs Amanda, believing she is acting on God's will.
Final Moment on the Beach
The following morning, Maud walks to the beach, drenches herself in acetone, and prays fervently. As she ignites herself in flames, she utters her last words in Welsh, achieving a haunting blend of grace and horror.
Visions of Grace
In her final moments of agony, Maud envisions angelic wings, as bystanders witness her tragic act. Yet, amidst the visual splendor, the stark reality of her pain remains evident as she screams in despair.
Characters
Maud
Maud is a deeply complex character haunted by her past and driven by an intense sense of purpose. Her transformation from a nurse to a devout believer leads her to take drastic actions in the name of faith. Her emotional fragility combined with fervent conviction makes her a tragic figure, desperate for divine validation.
Amanda
Amanda is a dying former dancer grappling with her imminent death and the emotional ramifications of her condition. Her sharp, candid demeanor reveals her fears and disillusionment with faith. Despite her rejection of belief, her interactions with Maud provoke profound spiritual crises that drive the narrative.
Carol
Carol serves as a foil to Maud, embodying a pragmatic and intimate connection to Amanda. Her relationship with Amanda complicates Maud's sense of purpose and protective instincts, ultimately driving Maud to confront her intentions and the realities of love versus faith.
Setting
Time period
The film does not specify a particular time period but reflects contemporary issues of faith, mortality, and personal crisis. The modern setting allows the exploration of psychological and spiritual struggles that resonate with current societal concerns.
Location
quaint seaside town, England
The movie is set in a quaint seaside town in England, known for its picturesque landscapes and serene atmosphere. This setting contrasts starkly with the intense emotional turmoil experienced by the characters. The town provides a backdrop that enhances the themes of isolation and desperation in the story.
Themes
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Faith
Faith plays a crucial role in the story, particularly through Maud's belief that she has been chosen to save Amanda's soul. This theme explores the complexity of faith and its influence on individual actions, pushing the boundaries of morality and sanity amid personal crises.
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Despair
Despair is a prominent theme as both Maud and Amanda face profound suffering. Amanda's struggle with terminal illness and Maud's feelings of abandonment by God culminate in a tragic confrontation, highlighting how despair can lead to destructive actions.
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Violence
The film intimately examines the theme of violence, both physical and emotional. Maud's violent outburst against Amanda marks a critical turning point, representing how mental anguish can manifest in terrifying ways, blurring the lines between devotion and madness.
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