‘Queer horror’ film Saint Maud has been added to streaming services – and it’s terrifying viewers

May 17 2021
Written by Jonny Yates

Saint Maud has been horrifying viewers since its release on streaming services. (YouTube)

Unsettling horror film Saint Maud has been added to Prime Video and Hulu, and it’s been thoroughly terrifying viewers.

Described as a film with a “decidedly queer gaze,” Saint Maud got its long-awaited release in the US on streaming services this May.

Saint Maud was scheduled to be released in cinemas in 2020 but was postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic, before being pulled completely from release in the US.

It had a limited UK release in October 2020 where it received acclaim from critics and went on to secure two BAFTA nominations including Outstanding British Film.

Now, US viewers finally have the chance to stream the film through subscription services Prime Video or Hulu, and so far they’ve been terrified by the horror film.

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The plot of Saint Maud reads: “Live-in nurse Maud is assigned to Amanda, a famous dancer now frail from illness and isolated at home.

“At first Amanda is intrigued by the religious young woman, whilst Maud in turn is bewitched by her new patient. But Maud is not all that she seems.”

Some people who watched the film following its release on streaming services were pretty straightforward in their reactions saying:

So. Saint Maud.

That was unsettling.

— travis hunter (@travismwh) May 14, 2021

Another won’t be making it a regular watch, adding:

Saint Maud (2019)
9/10
Creepy but so good. 100% will never watch again though. pic.twitter.com/H29h2f4vVg
— Helen of Troyble (@AneleEelRemraf) May 10, 2021

This Twitter user who watched the film over the weekend spoke about the religious-horror genre:

Finally watched Saint Maud and HOO BOY that was a lot. Religious horror is always hit-or-miss for me, and I’m not sure how I feel about this one yet. It’s masterfully made, but it’s also one of the most deeply cynical films I’ve seen in a long time.
— J. Kyle Pittman (@PirateHearts) May 14, 2021

While another noted the – slight spoiler alert – final shot of the film saying:

You ever just going about your day then out of nowhere remember that last frame in SAINT MAUD cause same
— benjamin (@benjaminclarke_) May 14, 2021

Upon its UK cinema release one writer at Varsity noted its queer themes saying: “Throughout the film, the nature of the pair’s [Maud & Amanda] relationship is never made explicit. Nor is the nature of this possessive presence.

“Are we to believe that Maud is actually possessed by some kind of biblical or demonic, force, or is it the symptom of repressed desire?”

The film is from studio A24 that also released recent horror hits Midsommar, The Witch and Hereditary, and you can find out how to watch it for yourself below.