SAINT CLARE is a 2024 American thriller written by Mitzi Peirone and Guinevere Turner, and directed by Peirone. The film explores the chilling duality of a seemingly innocent teenager who conceals a violent secret. Clare Bleecker, portrayed by Bella Thorne (known for Shake It Up and The Babysitter), is a sixteen-year-old Catholic school student who lives with her grandparents. Behind her quiet, devout façade lies a calculating sociopath with dissociative identity disorder—who happens to be a serial killer. Saint Clare is set to release in theaters and on digital platforms on July 18, 2025.
The film also stars Ryan Phillippe (Cruel Intentions) as Timmons, Rebecca De Mornay (The Hand That Rocks the Cradle), Frank Whaley (Pulp Fiction) as Mailman Bob, Bart Johnson (High School Musical) as Joe and Randall, Dylan Flashner as Wade, and Jan Luis Castellanos (13 Reasons Why) as Truman. Director Peirone has described Clare as a character inspired by Joan of Arc—driven by a fiery moral code and guided by haunting voices that urge her to eliminate predators in her community.
WHERE WAS SAINT CLARE FILMED?
Filming for Saint Clare began in 2022, with the production taking place in two distinct locations: Los Angeles, California and Louisville, Kentucky.
Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles served as one of the primary production hubs for the film. The city’s versatile urban and suburban landscapes provided the backdrop for several of the film’s interior and character-driven scenes. Given the psychological nature of the story, many of these scenes were likely shot in controlled environments such as studios or residential properties throughout LA.
Bella Thorne shared a behind-the-scenes image during filming on her Instagram page in late 2022, confirming her involvement and presence on set in Los Angeles. The post captured the stylized and eerie tone of the film with dark lighting and intense expression, aligning with the thriller’s visual style.
Louisville, Kentucky
A large portion of Saint Clare was filmed in Louisville, Kentucky, showcasing a range of neighborhood and small-town settings that were ideal for the film’s story. The Louisville Film Society confirmed that Waterford Road (ZIP code 40291) was among the specific locations used. The area’s quiet suburban layout doubled as Clare’s hometown—appearing peaceful on the surface while hiding dark secrets underneath, much like its lead character.
The production team used both interior and exterior locations across Louisville to emphasize the contrast between Clare’s daily life and her disturbing nighttime activities. A key location was a dingy basement scene, teased on Instagram by set photographer Stefania Rosini, showing a tender moment between cast and crew on a successful take. The basement space was likely chosen for one of Clare’s chilling confrontations or murder sequences.
BEHIND THE SCENES INSIGHTS
Filming Saint Clare was an emotionally intense process for cast and crew, but it was also filled with humor and camaraderie. Behind-the-scenes videos posted on Instagram gave fans a glimpse of the fun on set. One memorable moment shared by camera operator Louis Bazeli shows actor Bart Johnson laughing off-camera during a take, with Bella Thorne joking that she wanted his laugh as her ringtone.
Another notable memory came during a process trailer shoot, a technical shoot typically used to film car interiors while towed. Thorne called the day a “core memory,” showing her deep connection to the film and her character. Her personal involvement also extended behind the camera—Thorne helped reshape the script alongside Peirone to amplify the film’s themes of female empowerment.
At the Taormina Film Festival, the director and stars spoke about the creative inspirations behind the film. Peirone shared that Clare was shaped by a blend of Catholic imagery, Joan of Arc’s moral resolve, and Renaissance art—specifically the works of Artemisia Gentileschi. These artistic choices were also reflected in the lighting and composition of several scenes, particularly those involving Clare’s internal conflict.
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Don’t forget to check back at netfilming.com for more updates, behind-the-scenes stories.
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