'Saint X' Is Based on a Twisted Must-Read Page-Turner

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HULU IS well-known now for its ripped from the headlines true-crime reimaginings, plus its scripted mysteries (shoutout to Only Murders in the Building). It's the place you go to for whodunits and dramas about immoral characters. Which is why it's the perfect home for Saint X.

The psychological drama stars Alycia Debnam-Carey (of The 100 and Fear the Walking Dead) and West Duchovny (daughter of David) in one of her first major roles. The series follows a young woman whose sister is murdered while on vacation in the Caribbean; as she looks into what happened, she uncovers how her sister's death impacted the people on the island and her family.

The show intends to be a character study, a look into how people process trauma, and to create a conversation around race; the series looks at the death of a white woman in a non-white country. Saint X also jumps across time, watching the characters 20 years in the past, and then again the present. Viewers looking for a meditative drama that not only asks who committed the murder, but also who are the people impacted by it, will enjoy Saint X.

While reviews from critics haven't been great, the show is well-liked by audiences according to Rotten Tomatoes. The first three episodes dropped on April 26. With eight episodes in the first season, the show will be a quick watch (unless Hulu decides the audience will watch a second season).

So what's the story behind Hulu's new show? Is it based on a true story (the answer is no), or does it have some other source material tied to it?

Is Saint X Based on a Book?

Saint X (the Hulu show) is based on a book of the same name by Alexis Schaitkin. The 2020 book received a positive review from The New York Times on its release and a starred Kirkus Review.

According to TIME, even before the book's publication, in 2018, it was simultaneously pitched to production studios and to editors for publication. It was always meant to be adapted for the visual medium.

How Does the Book Differ From the Show?

Showrunner Leila Gerstein told TIME she changed a fundamental question in the book to help create more of a narrative for the show. Instead of "Who was my sister?" the main character wonders "What happened to my sister?"

“Here it was: a beautiful location, a compelling mystery at the center, which I knew that audiences were going to love, and I knew it was going to make for a propulsive television show,” Gerstein told TIME.

Although Gerstein somewhat shifted the focus of the show to be more of a mystery than a reflection of the people involved a Variety review of the show says the Hulu series sticks close to the original book. So, if you're concerned about spoiling yourself, you may want to wait on watching the show.

According to Elle, the show does change how the story is structured and expands on some parts of the mystery's timeline. They've also changed Emily, the main character's friends. And while the book makes Alison more of a catalyst to the piece than a character, the show has made her a more well-rounded and involved person in the narrative.

Whether you want to read the book before the show, or want to see if the show holds your interest before taking a chance on the book, we've got where you can buy it below.

And you can watch the series on Hulu.

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