Saint Clare

I think everyone remembers meeting with their high school guidance counselor—well, everyone except me. From what I understand, they’re supposed to help you figure out what you want to do with your life. I imagine they’ve helped countless students find their way to med school, law school, or maybe even become a fellow educator. But I wonder—have they ever guided someone into a life of taking out bad people before they can hurt anyone else? That might’ve helped Dexter Morgan. Then again, I don’t think that’s in their job description. But if it were, it might’ve helped Clare Bleecker.

In some small town, Clare (Bella Thorne) seems like your average teenager navigating high school life. But she’s far from normal—she has a hobby you’d never guess. That hobby becomes clear when she’s sitting at a bus stop and a creepy guy approaches her, first asking for directions, then offering her a ride. He tells her she can trust him—he’s just a father trying to pick up his two daughters. A lot of red flags go off for Clare, and yet, she gets in the car. Surprise—he’s not a father just giving a girl a ride. He has other plans. But Clare is ready. She jumps into the back seat and uses the seatbelt to ensure he won’t be hurting anyone again.

Clearly, this isn’t her first time. And you’d be right—she’s done this before. She even has the ghost of a mailman named Bob (Frank Whaley) following her around. Clare believes the police, led by Detective Rich Timmons (Ryan Phillippe), aren’t doing enough about the high number of missing girls. So, in her eyes, it’s up to her. And she’s about to find out just how tangled the web is that’s leading to those disappearances.

Written by Guinevere Turner and Mitzi Peirone (who also directs), and based on Don Roff’s novel, Saint Clare has an intriguing premise—but its convoluted story causes it to stumble a bit. It starts off strong, with Clare channeling Joan of Arc, proclaiming, “Everything I have said and done has been in the hands of God.” Yet it sets a tone that’s never fully realized. The film tries to walk a tightrope between heavy-handed religious themes and moments of odd, goofy humor—but those elements often clash, leaving you unsure of what the film wants to be.

There’s something compelling buried within, and we see glimpses of it, but the film ultimately can’t overcome what drags it down.

Saint Clare is occasionally engaging thanks to its striking visual style and Bella Thorne’s committed performance. The film falters, though, by trying to juggle too many ideas—ideas that the runtime simply can’t support. Thorne is a highlight; she shifts from sweet and unassuming to chillingly cold in a way that’s truly effective. If the movie had just stuck to its premise and tone, it might have been a “must-see.” Unfortunately, it loses its way—and with that, much of its entertainment value.

Saint Clare could have been something special. Instead, it leaves you thinking about what could have been.