YMMV / Saint Maud

• Alternative Character Interpretation: Are the supernatural events that happen in the film real, or is Maud merely going mad from the devotion and obsession she's putting into her work? The final scene lends some credence to the latter interpretation; as Maud prepares to light herself on fire, we can faintly hear people reacting in horror and trying to stop her until she opens her eyes to see them standing passively and silently before her. And then we get the split-second snap back to reality at the very end... Or perhaps both: Maud could be struggling with untreated mental illness, which the demonic forces seen later in the movie prey on and manipulate.
  • Similarly, Amanda's interest in Maud's religious beliefs - was she sincere in her curiosity up until Maud tried cutting her off from "bad influences" behind her back, or did she always consider it an amusing diversion, like she claims during the party?
• Fridge Brilliance:
  • Maud projectile-vomits over her table after coming home from a night out. Whilst she had drunk a lot of alcohol over the course of the night, this also happens just before she levitates in the air. Levitation and projectile vomiting are both classic signs of possession in horror films.
  • After Maud kills Amanda, we see her apparently levitating out of her home while covered in blood — with the blood on her face creating the appearance of her crying blood, which is consistent with stigmata.
• Genius Bonus:
  • Saint Afra is said to have been a prostitute who converted to Christianity, just as Maud is implied to have been promiscuous before her conversion, and was burned alive for her faith, just as Maud does to herself in the end. She is also considered the saint of "penitent women". The same themes are further enforced with Maud's patron saint, Mary Magdalene, who in Catholic tradition is believed to have also been a prostitute and also is a patron of people repentant of their sins as well as those persecuted or mocked for their faith (as Amanda briefly does to Maud at her birthday party).
  • Amanda's gift to Maud is a collection of works done by William Blake, who rejected the idea of sexual repression in the name of religion.
• Squick:
  • Maud picking at the burn on the back of her hand.
  • What we see of her scorched and charred body as she's burning alive at the end.
• Visual Effects of Awesome: CGI is used sparingly, but when it's used, it's used well. The levitation scene in Maud's flat is a standout example.

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