Saint Clare review – Bella Thorne takes out predatory creeps in feminist revenge horror
Funnily enough, it seems there have been numerous unsolved disappearances of young women in the very town in which she lives with her retired actor grandma, Gigi (Rebecca De Mornay, underused but feisty). So Clare gets investigating and nearly every man she meets seems suss, apart from the campus's flamboyantly gay theatre director (Joel Michealy) who is clearly just there for comic relief. And yet Clare doesn't seem all that good at building relationships with women either, given the toxic, bitchy interactions she has with supposed friends Amity (Erica Dasher) and Juliana (Joy Rovaris), mean girls whom the film seems quite happy to put in danger.
This is adapted from a novel by Don Roff, the script crafted by director Mitzi Peirone and co-screenwriter Guinevere Turner. Turner, also an actor, was once quite a name in the indie movie world with credits for co-writing Go Fish and American Psycho among others, but this doesn't really have the same zeitgeist-harmonising thrum. Instead, it plays as pseudo-feminist horror for viewers who don't really like women, or, for that matter, men. Or people of any gender. It's all curdled but not in an especially interesting way, although there is no denying that Thorne has a basic charisma that holds the screen, and Ryan Phillippe is well cast as a grouchy cop whose agenda doesn't mesh with Clare's.
Saint Clare is on digital platforms from 21 July.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Independent
29 minutes ago
- The Independent
WWE star Chelsea Green quits social media over ‘overwhelming' Hulk Hogan backlash
WWE star Chelsea Green has announced a social media break following backlash for her tribute to the late Hulk Hogan. Green described Hogan as an 'absolute icon' on CBS News, acknowledging his 'polarising political views', which fans interpreted as dismissive of his controversial past. The criticism largely stemmed from Hogan's history, including racist comments made in a 2006 sex tape that led to his dismissal from WWE. Green apologised if her comments seemed to dismiss concerns, affirming her unwavering stance against racism. Hogan, who died aged 71, was also known for his allegiance to President Donald Trump, who led tributes to the wrestling legend.
Daily Mail
30 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Dua Lipa and Callum Turner backed for Bond roles in Amazon's hotly-anticipated 007 movie
Dua Lipa and Callum Turner have both been backed to take up key roles in the next James Bond film. The famed couple, who got engaged last month, are 12/1 on odds, predicted by William Hill, to sing the theme song and star as the next 007 actor. Dua, 29, has a 15/8 shot to follow in the footsteps of the likes of Adele and Billie Eilish in singing the opening track to the next film. Partner Callum, 35, has saw support in the market for him to be cast as the next James Bond as he is now just 7/2 to follow on from Daniel Craig. A spokesperson for William Hill, Lee Phelps, said: 'Speculation is mounting around the new James Bond film, and we have seen support for couple Dua Lipa and Callum Turner to both be involved in the next movie. 'Dua Lipa has already proven her credentials on the big screen and in the studio, so it's no surprise to see her odds shorten to 15/8 to follow the likes of Adele and Billie Eilish by singing the next iconic Bond theme. The famed couple, who got engaged last month, are 12/1 on odds, predicted by William Hill, to respectively sing the theme song and star as the next 007 actor 'Meanwhile, Callum Turner has seen a flurry of support to succeed Daniel Craig as 007 himself – he's now 7/2 in the betting, behind only favourite Aaron Taylor Johnson (8/11), having steadily climbed the market in recent months. 'As a duo, they're now just 12/1 to both feature in the film in these respective roles, which would mark a bold and modern new direction for the franchise.' Following months of speculation on who will be named the new James Bond, three names for the coveted role at last emerged from Coral Bookmakers earlier this month, with one lead actor back in the running. Kick Ass star Aaron Taylor-Johnson, 35, is also odds on favourite with Dunkirk actor Jack Lowden, also 35, and Netflix star Theo James, 40, following close behind. Bookmaker Coral have reported seeing a strong wave of support behind Aaron with the British actor as the 9-4 favourite for the role. Meanwhile Theo is second best in the betting at 4-1, while Jack is backed at 5-1. Elsewhere the betting site have Superman star Henry Cavill, 42, with odds of 10-1. Coral's John Hill said: 'We've seen another strong wave of support behind Aaron Taylor-Johnson in our next James Bond betting. Although other names have been linked with the role in recent weeks. 'The British actor remains the man punters are backing to replace Daniel Craig'. However, it is believe to not be possible for Spiderman star Tom to bag the role of 007 as he begins filming Spider Man 4 - which has the reported working name Spider-Man: Brand New Day - in the coming months. The studio announced earlier this year that Denis Villeneuve - best known for directing Warner Bros.' two-part Dune adaptation - has signed on to direct the untitled film Bond film, via Amazon press release. The French-Canadian filmmaker, 57, will also serve as executive producer of the project alongside Tanya Lapointe. Amazon had previously announced Amy Pascal and David Heyman as the film's producers, after the studio parted ways with longtime 007 caretakers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson. The news comes just over three years after Amazon completed its massive $8.5billion acquisition of MGM Studios that included the James Bond franchise. There hasn't been a Bond film since 2021's No Time to Die, the final instalment with Daniel Craig as the beloved secret agent. The director said in a statement, 'Some of my earliest movie-going memories are connected to 007. I grew up watching James Bond films with my father, ever since Dr. No with Sean Connery.' He added, 'I'm a die-hard Bond fan. To me, he's sacred territory. I intend to honor the tradition and open the path for many new missions to come.' The filmmaker admitted: 'This is a massive responsibility, but also, incredibly exciting for me and a huge honor.' He also went on to thank Bond producers Amy and David, adding they, 'are absolutely thrilled to bring him back to the screen. Thank you to Amazon MGM Studios for their trust'. Amy and David added, 'Denis Villeneuve has been in love with James Bond movies since he was a little boy. 'It was always his dream to make this movie, and now it's ours, too. We are lucky to be in the hands of this extraordinary filmmaker.' After Amazon acquired MGM in 2022, they obtained full creative control of the 007 franchise with a deal they struck with Barbara and Michael, the offspring of original James Bond producer, Albert R. Broccoli. Barbara and Michael had been overseeing the franchise since 1995, when their father ceded control of his Eon Productions company to them. Amazon reached an agreement with Barbara and Michael in March 2025, and while financial terms were not disclosed, it was rumored to be upwards of $1 billion. Villeneuve made his directorial debut in 1998 with August 32nd on Earth, which premiered at the Cannes Film Festival that year. He followed that up with Maelstrom (2000), Polytechnique (2009) and Incendies (2010), the latter of which was nominated for Best International Film at the Academy Awards. The filmmaker broke through in Hollywood with 2013's Prisoners, a dark drama starring Hugh Jackman and Jake Gyllenhaal. He continued to win acclaim for 2013's Enemy, 2015's Sicario, 2016's Arrival, 2017's Blade Runner 2049 and, most recently, 2021's Dune: Part One and 2024's Dune: Part Two. Speculation has continued to grow over who will be the next big-screen Bond and the Bond franchise also prompted a flurry of guesses as to where they might take the franchise next. Bond has been spoiled with video game adaptations since the 1980s, with early adaptations taking the form of shooting games or text adventures in which players typed in what they wanted the super-spy to do. Amazon bosses are currently said to be considering locations in which to set the much-anticipated new film, which experts predicted is likely to be released at the end of next year or in 2027. Due to a filming ban being imposed in Central London next year, new locations are reportedly being considered - with Liverpool a frontrunner, according to The Sun. An insider told the publication: 'This will no doubt irk Bond purists who already fear Amazon taking over the 007 franchise may lead to them making big changes. 'But Liverpool is a well-known alternative to London for film-makers. 'It has appeared in everything from The Batman to Captain America and Harry Potter movies, doubling up as international cities.' The source added that it doesn't necessarily mean the story will be set in Liverpool - though eagle-eyed Merseysiders will no doubt spot their city centre in the background.
Telegraph
30 minutes ago
- Telegraph
Starmer has just embarrassed Britain in front of the most powerful man in the world
The gold standard of interaction between British Prime Ministers and US presidents is not, alas, a historical one. It isn't Winston Churchill and FDR signing the Atlantic Charter. It isn't Margaret Thatcher and Ronald Reagan clowning around on golf buggies, preaching the gospel of liberty and showing the Soviets what they were missing. It isn't even Tony Blair's craven poodling to George Bush, the bloody consequences of which remain a by-word of humiliation in both nations. Instead, it is the press conference given by Hugh Grant and Billy Bob Thornton in Love Actually. It is a superb film – Mrs Atkinson rewatches it every Christmas – and the moment at which Grant sticks it to his Yankee equivalent is a personal highlight. After the president has shown him up both politically and romantically, Grant realises he will take no more and stands up for Britain. 'We may be a small country', , he intones, 'but we're a great one too', before listing a set of national achievements up to and including David Beckham's feet. A 'friend who bullies us is no longer a friend'. Audience cheers. Alas, Keir Starmer's meeting with Donald Trump today was about as far from that ringing demonstration of national self-confidence as one could get. The two leaders met at Trump's Turnberry golf course in Scotland, where he is currently holding court like a visiting Oriental potentate. Even if things had previously been remarkably rosy between our puce-faced progressive PM and the resplendent tangerine leader of the free world, this meeting was an exercise in embarrassment. Trump chose to give Starmer unsolicited advice on how to beat Nigel Farage: cut taxes, clamp down on crime, and slash immigration. All common sense, but hardly what Labour backbenchers want to hear. The president also explained how American farmers have been driven to suicide by levies on farmland estates – hardly what the Prime Minister needed following his disastrous, cruel, and fiscally negligible assault on the nation's farmers. Trump also labelled Sadiq Khan a 'nasty person', and claimed the London Mayor was doing 'a terrible job' – rather awkward for Starmer, who pointed out that Khan is a friend of his.
