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Saturday Church 2018

A shy, grieving teenager named Ulysses struggles with adolescence and loss following his father's death. Seeking comfort, he immerses himself in dance and music, and unexpectedly discovers a supportive transgender community. This experience forces Ulysses to examine his own identity and face difficult decisions about self-acceptance and belonging, ultimately leading him on a journey of self-discovery.

A shy, grieving teenager named Ulysses struggles with adolescence and loss following his father's death. Seeking comfort, he immerses himself in dance and music, and unexpectedly discovers a supportive transgender community. This experience forces Ulysses to examine his own identity and face difficult decisions about self-acceptance and belonging, ultimately leading him on a journey of self-discovery.

Does Saturday Church have end credit scenes?

No!

Saturday Church does not have end credit scenes. You can leave when the credits roll.

Meet the Full Cast and Actors of Saturday Church

Explore the complete cast of Saturday Church, including both lead and supporting actors. Learn who plays each character, discover their past roles and achievements, and find out what makes this ensemble cast stand out in the world of film and television.


Ratings and Reviews for Saturday Church

See how Saturday Church is rated across major platforms like IMDb, Metacritic, and TMDb. Compare audience scores and critic reviews to understand where Saturday Church stands among top-rated movies in its genre.


Echo Score

The Movie Echo Score

75

In overall terms, Saturday Church presents a compassionate narrative that centers queer youth finding solidarity through musical storytelling. The direction and performances provide consistent emotional anchors, though the screenplay’s didactic turns and variable pacing occasionally hinder dramatic engagement. Musical sequences inject vitality but at times disrupt flow, while the modest visual style supports the intimate tone. Despite these uneven moments, the film’s earnest perspective leaves a lasting, optimistic impression.

The Movie Echo Score Breakdown for Saturday Church

80
Echo Score

Art & Craft

In terms of Art & Craft, the film’s direction offers a clear emotional focus, and its production design effectively underscores intimate urban settings. Critics noted Damon Cardasis’s assured camera work and editing choices, though some pacing irregularities emerge in transitional scenes. Overall, the cohesive visual approach enhances narrative tone and establishes a confident stylistic foundation for a debut feature.

85
Echo Score

Character & Emotion

In terms of Character & Emotion, the performances deliver depth and sincerity, with lead actors embodying the struggles of queer youth with palpable conviction. Observers praised the authentic chemistry among the cast and the emotional resonance of key interactions. Though some supporting characters receive limited development, the principal portrayals sustain engagement and foster genuine empathy throughout the narrative.

65
Echo Score

Story & Flow

In terms of Story & Flow, the narrative structure offers a heartfelt framework, addressing identity and community with earnest intent. However, the screenplay’s didactic moments and uneven pacing occasionally undermine dramatic tension, and certain plot developments feel predictable. While musical interludes introduce thematic variety, they sometimes interrupt narrative momentum. Ultimately, the story balances sincere ambition with structural inconsistencies.

60
Echo Score

Sensory Experience

In terms of Sensory Experience, the musical numbers and sound design deliver alternating moments of vitality and awkwardness. Critics celebrated the evocative soundtrack and cohesive blending of music with dramatic scenes, while several viewers found the songs stylistically juvenile and disruptive. Visually, the restrained color palette and thoughtful sound mixing support the intimate tone. The sensory elements yield a mixed response, combining engaging highlights with uneven musical execution.

60
Echo Score

Rewatch Factor

In terms of Rewatch Factor, the film’s earnest themes and committed performances offer reasons for repeat viewings, particularly for audiences drawn to character-driven dramas. The musical segments and intimate style may appeal less on subsequent watches due to their uneven integration. While the sincere perspective and emotional beats retain some lasting appeal, the structural and tonal irregularities limit the film’s long-term replay value.

Metacritic

72

Metascore

6.8

User Score

Rotten Tomatoes
review

93%

TOMATOMETER

review

70%

User Score

IMDb

6.4 /10

IMDb Rating

TMDB

66

%

User Score

Movie Insider

3.75/5

From 4 fan ratings

Take the Ultimate Saturday Church Movie Quiz

Challenge your knowledge of Saturday Church with this fun and interactive movie quiz. Test yourself on key plot points, iconic characters, hidden details, and memorable moments to see how well you really know the film.


Saturday Church Quiz: Test your knowledge on the themes and characters of the 2018 film Saturday Church.

What event triggers Ulysses's journey of self-discovery?

Full Plot Summary and Ending Explained for Saturday Church

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Read the complete plot summary of Saturday Church, including all major events, twists, and the full ending explained in detail. Explore key characters, themes, hidden meanings, and everything you need to understand the story from beginning to end.


After the death of his father, fourteen-year-old Ulysses resides with his mother Amara and younger brother, all under the supervision of his stringent Aunt Rose. As he navigates the often-tumultuous terrain of adolescence, Ulysses faces bullying at school and harsh verbal attacks from Aunt Rose regarding his feminine traits. In the midst of this chaos, he discovers a sanctuary within himself, beginning to explore his true identity.

One pivotal night, Ulysses steps out into the city and stumbles upon a welcoming group of transgender and gay individuals: Ebony, Dijon, Raymond, and Heaven. They invite him to Saturday Church, a safe haven that offers food, shelter, and community to LGBT youth. Captivated by the vibrant world of voguing, he eagerly buys a pair of high-heel shoes to refine his newfound skills.

As Ulysses grows closer to Raymond, who has developed feelings for him, the dynamics of their relationships become more intricate. When Aunt Rose learns of Ulysses’s passion, she confronts him, forcing Ulysses to flee from his home environment. He seeks comfort at Saturday Church, but one evening when he arrives, he finds his friends missing.

In desperation and hunger, he finds refuge in a homeless shelter, where a lightbulb moment occurs: Ulysses vows to embrace his identity instead of bending to the will of others. The following day, an older man approaches him with an offer of food and a place to stay in exchange for companionship.

The subsequent Saturday, Ulysses returns to Saturday Church, where his friends provide him with much-needed comfort and a sense of belonging. Yet, he longs to reconnect with his mother Amara, who is anxiously searching for her missing son. Back home, Amara prepares to look for Ulysses, unexpectedly joined by Ebony, who aids in bringing him solace.

As tensions rise between Rose and Ebony, Amara stands up to her sister-in-law, defending Ulysses from further harm. The following day, Amara reaffirms her unconditional love for Ulysses, instilling in him the confidence to fully accept his true self. Empowered by this approval, Ulysses is ready to step into the spotlight at a ballroom scene club, prepared to vogue in drag, embodying pride and authenticity.

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Watch Trailers, Clips & Behind-the-Scenes for Saturday Church

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Watch official trailers, exclusive clips, cast interviews, and behind-the-scenes footage from Saturday Church. Dive deeper into the making of the film, its standout moments, and key production insights.


Saturday Church Official Trailer

Saturday Church Themes and Keywords

Discover the central themes, ideas, and keywords that define the movie’s story, tone, and message. Analyze the film’s deeper meanings, genre influences, and recurring concepts.


transgendertrans communityhomeless sheltertransgender boygay kissgay sextransgender charactergay charactermother son relationshipaunt nephew relationshipbrother brother relationshipreligious homophobiagay slurgay brotherdrag queengreenwich village manhattan new york citychristopher street new yorkgay crushgay cruisinggay flirtingin the closetcoming outrejectionreconciliationgender identitylgbt cinemagay interestgay protagonistdeath of fatherblack transgender womantransgender protagonisttransgender romancetransgender sontransgender teentransgender youthtransgender interestmissing personmissing person reportpolice stationmale to female transgendertransgender studentunderage drinkingjudgmental familyprejudicereference to bible studyflashbackwidowed mothersex for moneyembarrassed maleembarassment
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