The story of Saint Frances
Saint Frances opens on a moment of quiet relief. Bridget—played with raw, understated grace by writer-director Kelly O'Sullivan herself—has just had an abortion. It's summer in Illinois, and instead of spiraling, she lands a job that seems almost too good to be true: nannying for a precocious six-year-old named Francesca in the affluent Chicago suburb of Evanston. What begins as a straightforward employment arrangement becomes something far messier and more human. Over the course of a sweltering season, Bridget finds herself entangled not just with her young charge, but with Francesca's two gay dads, their social circles, and the unexpected emotional terrain of caregiving. The film doesn't offer easy answers. Instead, it sits with contradictions—the way you can be healing and broken simultaneously, the way strangers become family, the way a job can become a lifeline.
Behind the making of Saint Frances
Kelly O'Sullivan wrote and starred in Saint Frances, marking her feature directorial debut through a partnership of independent producers including Visit Films, Easy Open Productions, and Runaway Train. The film's modest $44,330 box office belies its outsized critical impact: it earned 11 wins and 17 nominations across the festival circuit and award bodies, including a nomination for the Independent Spirit John Cassavetes Award in 2020—a honor that recognizes bold, original filmmaking made with minimal resources. The supporting cast includes Ramona Edith Williams, Charin Alvarez, Lily Mojekwu, and Max Lipchitz, each bringing specificity to what could have been stock characters. What's striking is how O'Sullivan avoids the indie-film trap of precious self-regard. She's not performing herself; she's inhabiting a character who's flawed, sometimes selfish, occasionally cruel—and entirely sympathetic because of it, not in spite of it. The 100-minute runtime never feels bloated; every scene carries weight. Metascore rated the film 83/100, reflecting the kind of critical consensus you rarely see around debuts from unknown filmmakers.
What makes Saint Frances stand out among 2020 indie releases
The film's 99% Rotten Tomatoes score isn't hype—it's earned through relentless specificity and emotional honesty. What I keep coming back to is how O'Sullivan refuses sentimentality. When Bridget interacts with Francesca, there's no swelling score, no "heartwarming moment" framing. Instead, you get the texture of real conversation: a kid asking weird questions, an adult trying not to screw up, both of them figuring out what they mean to each other. The performances anchor everything. Ramona Edith Williams, as one of Francesca's dads, carries a scene about parental anxiety with such quiet specificity that you forget you're watching a film—you're eavesdropping on a life. The thing nobody mentions is how funny Saint Frances is. It's not a dramedy that winks at the audience; the humor emerges from character and situation. When Bridget attends a party at her employers' house and watches the social dynamics unfold, the comedy comes from observation, not setup-punchline mechanics. And then, without warning, the film pivots into something tender or aching. That tonal control—the ability to move between comedy and genuine heartbreak without feeling manipulative—is what separates this from a hundred other indie films that premiered at Sundance.
Where to stream Saint Frances online
Saint Frances is available on major streaming platforms, and you can check current availability through the "Where to Watch" widget at the top of this page. Since streaming rights shift frequently, Movie OTT aggregates real-time platform data so you don't have to hunt across five different services. The film's relatively low profile means it's not always front-and-center on Netflix or Prime's homepage, which is a shame—it's exactly the kind of title that rewards active searching. Once you find it, you'll understand why critics and festival programmers championed it so fiercely.
Frequently asked questions
Q: Who directed Saint Frances?
Kelly O'Sullivan wrote and directed the film, making it her feature debut. She also stars as the lead character, Bridget.
Q: Is Saint Frances based on a true story?
While the film explores real-world themes like abortion and caregiving, it's not based on a specific true story. O'Sullivan drew from observation and lived experience to craft the narrative.
Q: What's the runtime of Saint Frances?
The film runs 100 minutes, a lean runtime that keeps the narrative focused and emotionally taut throughout.
Q: Did Saint Frances win any major awards?
Yes. The film earned 11 wins and 17 nominations, including a nomination for the Independent Spirit John Cassavetes Award in 2020, which recognizes exceptional independent filmmaking.
Q: What's the Rotten Tomatoes score for Saint Frances?
The film holds a 99% Fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with a Metascore of 83/100, reflecting strong critical consensus.
Q: Where can I watch Saint Frances?
Check the "Where to Watch" widget at the top of this page for current streaming availability. Availability varies by region and changes periodically, so Movie OTT keeps that information up to date.
Final thoughts on Saint Frances
There's a scene late in the film where Bridget and Francesca sit together in near-silence, and you realize the entire arc of the story has been building to this moment of quiet understanding. That's Saint Frances in a nutshell—a film about connection that doesn't need to announce itself. It's not trying to be important or profound. It just is. If you're looking for indie cinema that trusts its audience, that refuses easy sentiment, and that explores abortion and motherhood and identity without preaching, this is essential viewing. Don't sleep on it.
