Saint Clare (2024) Frightfest Review

Saint Clare (2024) Frightfest Review

Based on a novel by Don Roff, the film is expertly helmed by award-winning Italian director Mitzi Peirone (BRAID) who co-wrote the screenplay with Guinevere Turner (AMERICAN PSYCHO).

The stellar cast includes Ryan Philippe (CRASH, CRUEL INTENTIONS), Rebecca DeMornay (THE HAND THAT ROCKS THE CRADLE, RISKY BUSINESS), Frank Whaley (BROKEN ARROW, PULP FICTION) and Bart Johnson (HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL). The film features an original soundtrack by Zola Jesus.

In a small town, a solitary young woman is haunted by voices that lead her to assassinate people with bad intentions who think they can get away with it. But her last kill changes everything and sucks her headlong down a rabbit hole riddled with corruption, trafficking, and twisted visions from the beyond.

Can Saint Clare save herself from unimaginable terror as her pursuit for retribution takes a dangerous turn, carrying her deep into an unknown hell?

Based on the novel CLARE AT SIXTEEN by Don Roff kicks off initially looking like your standard Saturday night thriller, soft, harmless, and forgettable. Fortunately, SAINT CLARE is not that movie, offering up a welcome side-order of violence and dark subject matter. Nothing is as it seems and there are red herrings aplenty for our spunky, Joan of Arc fixated female lead.

You might think that you know how this is going to play out, but instead it continually surprises throughout. This is more complex and darker than you may have originally considered it to be. Bella Thorne is terrific as feisty, focused, kick-ass Clare, and both Ryan Phillippe and Rebecca de Mornay make welcome turns as investigating detective and grandmother, respectively.

Saint Clare had its UK Premiere at FrightFest 2024 and will be released on digital from 101 Films – date to be confirmed