Review of Benedetta (2021) by Bertobellamy — 21 Jan 2022

'Benedetta' is a slap in the face of religious hypocrisy.

Paul Verhoeven delivers a no holds barred film that points at the rotten values of catholicism, those that reek of evilness and hate since ancient times.

The film follows a nun who claims to perform miracles in the name of Jesus. But when she starts a forbidden relationship with a fellow nun, and the authenticity of her divine work is questioned, the Church promptly moves against her.

Benedetta, the character, embodies pure feminism. By defying the religious rules imposed by the abbess and later the nuncio, she rebels against sanctimony, deception, and the fact that we have to suffer in this life no matter what.

Some might say that Verhoeven unnecessarily exposes too much of the woman's body in here, But, again, nudity becomes the ultimate weapon against those who call themselves pure and worthy.

The best part is that story leaves the protagonist's true identity open. Is Benedetta a fraud or truly a godsend? Whatever the case is, she uses her body to destroy the religious constructs that threaten to shackle her for life.

And if this isn't enough to catch your interest, there's a **** carved from a Holy Mary statue. You can't say no to that.

I'd recommend watching this back to back with 'Saint Maud' and Pasolini's 'The Canterbury Tales.