Il demonio

I recently watched the Italian classic 🇮🇹 Il Demonio (1963) on Shudder. The storyline follows a young lady who falls in love and becomes obsessed with the wrong man, who happens to be engaged to another. As he marries, she spirals into madness and her erratic behavior is mistaken as witchcraft by the locals. Along her tumultuous journey she is beaten and raped, further fueling her descent into madness. Attempts of an exorcism by a priest only further her plight. Will she find salvation, or will her madness cause her to seek revenge for the wrongs done to her?

This picture is directed by Brunello Rondi (Black Velvet) and stars Daliah Lavi (Casino Royale), Frank Wolff (Once Upon a Time in the West), Anna María Aveta (The Wedding March) and Rossana Rovere (A Quiet Place to Kill).

This film delivers an amazing and compelling narrative, anchored by Lavi's compelling performance. She is both gorgeous and authentically raw. There's some scenes in here that were definitely stolen for the making of The Exorcist. The behaviors are abstract and wild and the exorcism scene is phenomenal. The belt sequence was a bit much and the goat and wedding scenes were intense. This movie takes viewers on an emotional rollercoaster, showcasing the relentless suffering of its protagonist, making for a profoundly melancholic experience. The concluding quote offers a fitting end to the films narrative arc.

In conclusion, Il Demonio is a unique addition to the witchcraft/exorcism genre. I would score this an 8/10 and strongly recommend it.