The Nun and the Devil was way, way better than I expected. Released in 1973, The Nun and the Devil finds itself grouped together with the nunsploitation cycle that was really kicking off around that time. But to my delight, the exploitation aspect of that title was pretty muted in this film. I’m not saying there are no nude scenes, but women actually spend more of the film with their clothes on, crafting complex relationships and inherently critiquing the Catholic church.
The film takes place at a 1570’s Naples convent. The mother superior is ill, and a few nuns desire to ascend to that position. Primarily, Sister Guilia. Guilia comes from a rich, connected family which allows her privileges already. Guilia also has a lover in the devoted Sister Chiara. But there’s also Sister Carmela, who’s sleeping with a man who could influence the decision in her favour. Further leverage for Guilia arrives in the form of her niece, Isabella. Isabella was sent to the convent to ensure her purity after discovery of her romance with a local boy. Guilia’s powerful connection, Don Carlos takes a shine to Isabella. He tries to broker a “trade”; Isabella in exchange for Guilia becoming mother superior. But through all of this, Sister Chiara suffers in spurned silence. When Guilia takes interest in a new noviate, Chiara brings the inquisition down upon the convent.
You see that plot summary? Stuff happens in The Nun and the Devil! There’s characters, intrigue and layered relationships. I was really into it. The worst examples of nunspolitation don’t really have any of those things. It’s just a bunch of women in wimples with their tits out who probably get tortured at the end. But again, I don’t think The Nun and the Devil deserves the title of exploitation. This is a soapy melodrama about convent life. Yeah, yeah there’s some nudity. But sometimes in the fullness of human existence, you see a nun’s nipple. It’s not a big deal.
This movie did everything I want a Catholic-themed film to do. First off, it looks great. This movie is drenched in glorious, 70’s Italian Catholic aesthetics. The costume and set design in the film really add to the atmosphere. While beautiful, the film is ultimately a critique of the corruption, brutality and oppression of Catholic Church. Its complex characters inherently prove that being a man or woman of God doesn’t make you above sin. And then there’s the repression. Gotta love a movie where the straight couple is as oppressed as the gay couple. Isabella and her lover failing to reach each other through the bars of the convent is just one of many examples of this theme. There’s also psychological themes relating to faith. Catholics have really cornered the market for unhealthy concepts of devotion and it’s fascinating to watch such devotion play out among flawed such individuals.
I really loved this film. It’s not wholly free from sleaze, but it doesn’t let sleaze overtake its artistry either. The Nun and the Devil is now the third film I’ve seen where a nun in a lesbian relationship schemes to become the mother superior. And yeah, after three movies I’m understanding the homophobic undertones of that plot. On the other hand, it means there’s nun movies where the lead character is queer, complex, fucked up and in a fun outfit. The Nun and the Devil might be a shade below Paul Verhoeven’s Benedetta, especially in terms of budget. But it’s better than Beyond the Walls. I also liked that movie, but the visuals were too bland and muddy. The Nun and the Devil doesn’t have that problem. This whole movie is a prime example of whatever special sauce (generational trauma) Italy put into its movies at the time.
Overall rating: 7.5/10
Other WLW films in similar genres
Be First to Comment