Overview
A tale of faith and forbidden desire unfolds within the cloistered walls of a convent.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Moderate
- provocative
- sensual
- oppressive
- arthouse film night
- historical drama night
What critics said
Critics broadly found the film provocative and thematically salient, praising its willingness to connect sexual freedom with faith while noting its deliberately shifting genres and tones.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Benedetta's devotion, erotic relationship with Bartolomea, and contested visions place sexuality and religious belief in direct conflict.
Benedetta's visions of Jesus and manifest holy signs are interpreted differently by nuns, clergy, and observers.
Bartolomea arrives fleeing her violent father, while the convent and clergy regulate women's bodies, status, and testimony.
The film juxtaposes convent devotion, Christ-centered visions, bodily signs, and forbidden intimacy.
Films like Benedetta, and why
The Devils
Shared historical setting, transgressive erotic drama, religious power structures, and provocative treatment of sexuality and faith.
The Nun's Story
Shared convent setting, forbidden desire, institutional repression, and psychologically charged religious drama.
Elle
Shared erotic psychological intensity, ambiguous female subjectivity, and the collision of desire with social control.
Portrait of a Lady on Fire
Shared queer historical romance, oppressive social institutions, and sensual period melodrama.
Movie Details
- Director
- Paul Verhoeven
- Release Date
- 2021-07-09
- Runtime
- 131 min
- Rating
- 6.6 / 10 (1212)
Cast
- Virginie Efira
- Charlotte Rampling
- Daphné Patakia
- Lambert Wilson
- Olivier Rabourdin
- Louise Chevillotte
- Hervé Pierre
- Clotilde Courau
- David Clavel
- Guilaine Londez
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Netflix, Philo, AMC Plus Apple TV channel, AMC+, Sundance Now, MUBI, Netflix Standard with Ads
- Rent
- Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Benedetta about?
- A provocative period drama follows a devout nun whose visions and forbidden intimacy destabilize the power structure of a Tuscan convent.
- What is Benedetta like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Benedetta as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is Benedetta violent?
- Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in Benedetta as moderate.
- What did critics think of Benedetta?
- Critics broadly found the film provocative and thematically salient, praising its willingness to connect sexual freedom with faith while noting its deliberately shifting genres and tones.
- Which films are like Benedetta?
- Films with a similar feel include The Devils, The Nun's Story, Elle, and Portrait of a Lady on Fire.
- How long is Benedetta?
- Benedetta runs 131 minutes.
- Where can I watch Benedetta?
- In United States, Benedetta streams on Netflix, Philo, AMC Plus Apple TV channel, AMC+, Sundance Now, MUBI, Netflix Standard with Ads.
