Is Saint X Based on a True Story? Ending Explained and Review
by Alaguvelan M
Updated Apr 26, 2023
Saint X
The Hulu original series "Saint X," premiering on April 26, 2023, is a psychological drama developed by Leila Gerstein. The show is based on the novel of the same name by Alexis Schaitkin. Saint X, a television series based on the novel of the same name by Alexis Schaitkin, was given an eight-episode series order by Hulu on January 24, 2022.
The series is developed by Leila Gerstein and executive produced by a team that includes Dee Rees, Stephen Williams, and Aubrey "Drake" Graham. Produced by Anonymous Content, DreamCrew Entertainment, and ABC Signature, Saint X is set to premiere on April 26, 2023, with the first three episodes available immediately and the remaining episodes debuting weekly.
According to review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, the movie has a 0% approval rating and an average score of 4.7/10 based on 7 critic reviews. Metacritic, which provides a weighted average, gave the movie a score of 50 out of 100 based on 5 critics, indicating "mixed or average reviews."
Victoria Pedretti was originally cast in Saint X in March 2022 but was later replaced by Alycia Debnam-Carey in May 2022. In April 2022, Josh Bonzie, West Duchovny, and Jayden Elijah were added to the main cast. Michael Park and Betsy Brandt were cast in October 2022, and Bre Francis and Kenlee Anaya Townsend were announced as part of the main cast on January 12, 2023.
Is Saint X Based on a True Story?
No, the Saint X movie is not based on a true story, it is adapted from a novel published in 2020. The plot of Saint X revolves around the mysterious disappearance and death of 18-year-old Alison Thomas on the fictional island of Saint X in 1995, as depicted in Alexis Schaitkin's 2020 novel of the same name. Although the story is a work of fiction, it is inspired by real-life cases like the 2005 disappearance of Natalee Holloway in Aruba.
Saint X, as described by Hulu, subverts the genre of missing-girl narratives by incorporating multiple timelines. The series also emphasizes how the aftermath of Alison's death creates a traumatic chain of events, prompting her surviving sister to embark on a perilous quest for the truth.
Although Saint X is not based on a true story, it tackles relevant and poignant themes that resonate with real-life experiences. The show delves into the profound impact of grief, trauma, and the search for justice on both individuals and communities. While the series is fictional, it takes inspiration from actual cases, promising viewers a captivating and emotional journey that explores the intricate and far-reaching consequences of tragic loss.
Saint X Ending Explained
Emily's obsession with discovering the truth behind Alison's disappearance leads to revelations about the events of that fateful night. Despite Clive and Edwin being arrested by the police during the initial investigation, they were later released due to insufficient evidence. Alison's parents are convinced that the local authorities are trying to cover up the case to protect the reputation of their island since the murder remains unsolved.
Emily's memories of Alison's disappearance resurface, leading her to believe that Clive knows what happened that night. Despite the risk of Clive running away if he discovers Emily's identity as Alison's sister, Emily becomes fixated on uncovering the truth and decides to befriend Clive in order to gain his trust. Meanwhile, Clive seems to be struggling, struggling with alcoholism and paranoia, and haunted by a figure called the goat witch who calls out to him by his nickname "Gogo." In the final scene, Clive has a dream about the goat witch, leading Emily and viewers to question whether his terror is related to his involvement in Alison's disappearance and whether he may have been responsible for her death.
When Alison disappeared, Edwin and Clive were the first to be questioned by the police. The arresting officer had noticed their unusual behavior, which was uncharacteristically quiet for them. The officer wondered if they had done something terrible. However, their alibis showed that they could not have been involved in Alison's disappearance.
In a flashback scene, it is revealed that Edwin has feelings for Sarah, the mother of Clive's child. Edwin tries to keep Sarah away from Clive, but their relationship still progresses. It is unclear what their current relationship status is, but it is possible that Edwin still has feelings for Sarah. He often urges Clive to move on and forget about her, suggesting that he may be trying to sabotage their relationship.
It is possible that on the night of Alison’s disappearance, Clive became aware of Edwin’s feelings for Sarah, which may have soured their mood and made them uncharacteristically quiet when the cop picked them up. Additionally, Edwin mentioned dealing cocaine, which Clive disapproved of, but Edwin still went ahead with it. It's possible that this led to an argument between them, or even that Edwin gave Alison some of the cocaine, which may have contributed to her death.
In any case, it seems likely that Clive was involved in the events that led to Alison’s disappearance. He may not have physically killed her, but he bears some guilt that has plagued him over the years. Eventually, he may feel compelled to confess to Emily or someone else, in order to ease his conscience.
Saint X Movie Review and Summary
The TV series "Saint X" is adapted from Alexis Schaitkin's highly regarded novel of the same name, published in 2020. The series aims to challenge the conventions of the usual narrative structure seen in similar stories. It presents a story that alternates between two timelines, one depicting the tragic events leading to the death of a young woman and the other showing her surviving sister in the present, as she grapples with the aftermath of the tragedy.
In 2005, Alison Thomas, daughter of David Duchovny, and her family traveled to a Caribbean resort for a vacation. Alison plans to enjoy the sun, piña coladas, and the attention of the many boys at the resort before heading to Princeton in the fall. Her younger sister, Claire, idolizes her but is unaware of her flaws. However, on their last night, Alison disappears, and her body is found a few days later.
Years later, Claire, now going by Emily, lives in New York and tries to move on from her sister's death and the media frenzy surrounding it. But her path crosses with one of the two Black resort employees suspected of the murder, Clive "Gogo" Richardson, and her desire for answers intensifies. Emily admits that the world knows more about her sister's murder than she does and that she needs to know the truth.
Schaitkin's novel, "Saint X," refused to provide closure for Alison's murder, and instead explored how the characters move forward without answers. Hulu's adaptation, however, offers a more definitive resolution, which makes it less interesting. Despite this, the series delves into themes of grief, obsession, race, class, and wealth, particularly in how Alison's death affects those on both sides of the mystery.
The show's portrayal of Clive's perspective is especially poignant, showcasing his friendship with Edwin, his struggles with courtship and his upbringing, and the conflict between his faith and his desires. Josh Bonzie delivers a captivating performance, with his eyes betraying the inner turmoil of his character. The show also benefits from avoiding hokey aging makeup, as Bonzie's character appears in both timelines without any unnecessary embellishments.
The show's fragmented structure is a hindrance as scenes jump back and forth between 2005 and 2023 without a clear sense of purpose. Flashbacks to the immediate aftermath of Alison's disappearance and childhood memories of Edwin and Clive add to the confusion. With so much content to manage and ample screen time, "Saint X" struggles in its first half to engage the audience or develop the thinly sketched characters.
At its core, "Saint X" examines privilege and the futile attempts of well-meaning but privileged individuals to escape it. Alison, despite her criticisms of the resort's exploitative nature, readily embraces its luxurious amenities. Claire's progressive attitude toward living in a predominantly Black neighborhood seems to justify her role in gentrification.
Saint X" struggles with its commitment to side characters and a laborious runtime, resulting in thin explorations of privilege and repetitive storytelling. The show's attempt to stretch out the novel's compelling elements over six hours of drudgery falls short, leaving the audience waiting for answers that may or may not come. While there are some glimmers of a more interesting narrative towards the end, it ultimately fails to stand out from other examples of the white-woman-in-peril narrative it's riffing on.
Saint X Trailer
Is Saint X Based on a True Story - FAQs
"Saint X" is based on a novel by Alexis Schaitkin.
"Saint X" follows the story of two sisters, one of whom goes missing and is later found dead while on a family vacation in the Caribbean. The other sister, years later, becomes obsessed with solving the mystery of her sister's death.
The TV adaptation of "Saint X" offers a more definitive answer to the mystery of Alison's death, whereas the novel leaves it open-ended. The TV adaptation also struggles with a laborious runtime and a thin cast of characters.
"Saint X" explores themes of privilege, grief, obsession, race, class, and wealth.
This is subjective and up to individual taste. Some viewers may find the themes and exploration of privilege to be compelling, while others may find the slow pacing and thin characters to be uninteresting.