Saint Clare 2025 Movie Review
Filmmaker Mitzi Peirone is back with a new mystery thriller, Saint Clare, starring Bella Thorne. Based on the book “Clare at Sixteen,” we have the story of Clare Bleecker, a woman with a tragic past who hears voices that compel her to kill those who do horrible things to others. After jumping from town to town, she takes up residence with her grandmother Gigi. Clare tries to lead an everyday college life by day and still carry out her mission, disposing of those who mean to do harm. She gets more than she intended with her latest kill as it leads her to investigate the large number of missing-woman cases that have plagued the area. As Clare cuts deeper into the town’s underbelly, she discovers a horrifying secret involving trafficking, corruption, and visions from the beyond. Can she solve this mystery and still get away with murder, or will she become another missing person case?
Some films choose style over substance. In this case, Saint Clare has both. At its core, it is a fairly straightforward mystery, but Peirone’s unique use of visual symmetry, colors, and a touch of the paranormal elevate this above other films of its type. From the opening frame, where we see a perfectly centered Clare laying in her bed repeating a mantra, you are pulled into this world and held there for the entire runtime. There are a number of moments where rich red-colored leaves are used to help convey Clare’s killing drive. It is used sparingly, making it more effective. Cinematographer Luka Bazeli’s sharp use of the middle of the frame helps convey the fine line Clare is walking between being good and bad with her assassinations. These are just some of the many elements that enhance a dark, character-driven story that will have you rooting for the title character while questioning whether it is okay to do so.
Bella Thorne puts in her best performance as Clare while portraying the struggle between being a normal college woman and an assassin, bringing nuance to the switch between the two. Early on, we see a man try to give her a ride home; at first, she refuses the request, but then a wonderful little smile curls around her lips, and you know she has gone from prey to predator. Assassin Clare is scary good at killing and plays it smart for most of the film. There is also an angle with Clare’s faith that adds another layer to this complex character.
Things are further complicated by an unexpected companion in the form of Mailman Bob, played by Frank Whaley. I loved Mailman Bob. He is someone only Clare can see and acts as part of her conscience. I didn’t expect Bob to play as big of a role as he does. His scenes with Bella are highly entertaining and do an excellent job of establishing Clare as more than just a killer. It was also great to see Rebecca De Mornay as Gigi, Clare’s Grandmother. She is there for more than just a cameo and puts in a solid, emotional performance.
Saint Clare has quickly become one of my top independent films of the year. Mitzi Peirone has delivered an intriguing, riveting, stylish, layered story that is as interesting visually as it is narratively. For those of you who think this might be an “all men are bad”-themed story, well, you would be wrong. This is just a highly entertaining movie featuring talent both behind and in front of the camera that explores subjects that many women face, wrapped in a solid mystery to be enjoyed by all.
