The COVID-19 crisis may be abating in several areas–to the delight of some TV and movie studios–but the effects of the pandemic are still being felt around the world.
A case in point: Horror fans will be disappointed once again as the July 17 release date for Saint Maud will come and go without the religion-themed horror film from A24 hitting screens anywhere, according to comicbook.com.
The movie–slated to be the first horror entry to grace indoor theaters this summer (as reported here in Horror News Network)–was originally supposed to have its official coming-out party in April. And that’s when the coronavirus stepped in to ruin plans.
The release date then was postponed to July 17, a date that has been erased once again. The announcement came from Exhibitor Relations Co Twitter page: “A24–welcome back from the upside-down world. Saint Maud officially moves from July 17 to everyone’s favorite release date: TBD.”
With all this release shuffling going forward, the overriding question now seems to be: Will A24 opt to release Saint Maud on a VOD platform in lieu of a traditional theater showing? Some successful horror movies–The Invisible Man and The Hunt come to mind–were made available for in-home viewing this year, while also being shown in theaters.
Even with the optimistic outlook of several large movie chains expecting to open their doors over the next few weeks, it’s doubtful they will operate at full capacity. Not to mention the potential reluctance of moviegoers to frequent indoor theaters.
Saint Maud–the feature film debut of writer/director Rose Glass–stars Morfydd Clark, Jennifer Ehle, Lily Frazer and Turlough Convery. The movie is produced by Andrea Cornwell and Oliver Kassman.
The film–which premiered to critical acclaim at last year’s Toronto International Film Festival–is described as a “chilling and boldly original vision of faith, madness and salvation in a fallen world.”
The official synopsis says the title character of Maud is a “devout hospice nurse who becomes obsessed with saving her dying patient’s soul, but sinister forces–and her own sinful past–threaten to put an end to her holy calling.”
Keep reading Horror News Network for further details on the fate of Saint Maud–theaters or VOD?
