Benedetta

Benedetta is a 2021 biographical psychological drama film co-written and directed by Paul Verhoeven 🐀 It's very good! 😀 I'd recommend it 👍🏼 A 17th-century nun becomes entangled in a forbidden lesbian affair with a novice. But it is Benedetta's shocking religious visions that threaten to shake the Church to its core.

A fascinating examination of the thin line between the sacred and the profane. Unsurprisingly Verhoeven is perhaps the only filmmaker who could have pulled this off.

Inspired by a true event, it is a rather unusual cross between religion and eroticism, with a pinch of scandal, just enough to provoke curiosity. From an unrecognizable Paul Verhoeven, the same one who directed Robocop.

Classic case of the filmmaker trying to be provocative and polemic involving religious images. Not everyone can be a transgressor so easily, at least not in these times

In his old age, atheist (though oddly fascinated by Jesus) boundary-pushing filmmaker Paul Verhoven makes a nunsploitation pic that is really -- boring. Perhaps viewers who have never considered how organized religion is fundamentally about power over others and fiercely-protected elitism will find this a fascinating exercise, but for those of us who have already figured this out there are no surprises here. The film goes from one nunsploitation trope to another, but without the fun naughtiness that makes this genre tick. Its beginning scenes have a nice early Renaissance look that could have made this a truly interesting visual experience, but it then quickly slips into looking like any other prettified historical drama. Even the nun's visions of Jesus are pedestrian -- a Ken Russell approach is really needed for such moments. What remains is predictable tedium.

Such a fabulous period romp! I suspect it actually brings out the truth of many Catholic institutions whereby the devoted are busy fucking each other, inflicting torture & someone sent to the stake for being beyond the norm & hence par excellence! Loved it!

RIDICULE Lamentable et prétentieux Surjoué par les rôles principaux, Mal joué par les secondaires. Aucune intensité, aucune dramaturgie, plat. Éfira, quelle catastrophe. Le duo infernal Rempling / Wilson, pathétique comme d'habitude. Sérieux, faut arrêter les films "français" Verhoeven que t'arrive-t-il ? Une production et une distribution italienne auraient été préférable. Ton tryptique Religion / Sexe / Violence est éculé.

Fearless and deep, this movie is a balancing act of so many ideas and institutional criticism.

Chocante, mas de um jeito bom.

Terrible CGI, hilariously awkward scenes, insane visions? If that's your thing, watch this psychotic movie. Oh, and there's A LOT of wild, naked nun action. If you have to ask, just watch it… (not something I'd readily rewatch)