Benedetta (2021)

Set in 17th century Italy, a young nun (Virginie Efira) has visions of Jesus Christ and stigmata appears on her body. She is also carrying on an affair with a fellow nun (Daphne Patakia). Based on the non fiction book IMMODEST ACTS: THE LIFE OF A LESBIAN NUN IN RENAISSANCE ITALY by Judith C. Brown and directed by Paul Verhoeven (BASIC INSTINCT). Loosely based on an actual case, the film comes with an artsy sheen but really, with Verhoeven behind the camera it's a high toned nunsploitation movie! In between the somber tale of corruption in the Catholic church, we're treated to graphic nun on nun sex, nuns stripped nude and tortured and Efira even gets to make out with Jesus. Verhoeven wants his cake and to eat it too! But I much prefer the outrageous outlandishness of Ken Russell's THE DEVILS (1971) to Verhoeven's solemnity. There is one good performance by Charlotte Rampling as the mother abbess. She brings a sorely needed touch of class to the project. In a nutshell, I quite enjoyed the film but you didn't fool me, Verhoeven. With Lambert Wilson and Louise Chevillotte.