“Saint Clare” is the kind of off-kilter genre gem that sneaks up on you. Stylish, darkly comic, and anchored by a surprisingly nuanced performance from Bella Thorne, it offers a twisted take on the vigilante thriller, wrapped in Catholic guilt and laced with satire.
Thorne plays Clare Bleecker, a seemingly angelic college student with a sharp mind, a strong moral compass, and a tendency to kill. What could’ve been a one-note performance turns into a fascinating blend of charm, deadpan humor, and eerie control. Thorne owns the screen, making Clare both likable and unsettling—a tricky balance that she handles with poise.
Director Mitzi Peirone crafts a sleek, surreal world that feels somewhere between a late-night pulp novel and a fever dream of a midnight mass. The visuals pop, the edits are tight, and there’s an undercurrent of whimsy running beneath the violence. It’s never overtly silly, but there’s a wink to the audience that lets you know the film is having fun with its outrageous premise.
What elevates “Saint Clare” is its willingness to let contradictions coexist. Clare is both a murderer and a moralist. Her kills are gruesome, yet her motives are rooted in a warped sense of justice. The film doesn’t spoon-feed easy answers—it invites viewers to sit in the discomfort of gray areas.
Adding weight and warmth to the film is Rebecca De Mornay, who is magnificent in her role and serves as the real heart of the story. She provides the emotional grounding that Clare, by nature, cannot. Though she only appears in a handful of scenes, her presence resonates, anchoring the film in something profoundly human and reminding us that these daring escapades have real-world consequences.
The supporting cast is equally solid. Joy Rovas, Frank Whaley, and Ryan Phillippe each bring something distinct to the table, rounding out the ensemble with performances that feel lived-in and precise. No one steals the spotlight, but they all contribute to the film maintaining its curious balance of menace and mirth.
Sure, there are rough edges. Some supporting characters could benefit from more depth, and the tonal shifts may be jarring for some readers. But Saint Clare thrives on its unpredictability—and that’s part of its charm.
“Saint Clare” may not convert everyone, but for those willing to embrace its quirky, blood-soaked gospel, it delivers a wickedly fun sermon on vengeance, faith, and finding purpose in the most unexpected places. A small but sharp indie that earns its halo—if not for virtue, then certainly for style.
Final Grade: B
“SAINT CLARE” will be in theaters, on demand, and digital on July 18, 2025.
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