Rent Benedetta (2021)

3.3 of 5 from 248 ratings
2h 6min
Rent Benedetta (aka Blessed Virgin) Online DVD & Blu-ray Rental
  • General info
  • Available formats
Synopsis:
From renowned provocateur Paul Verhoeven, 'Benedetta' is a subversive erotic drama based on the true story of a 17th century nun entangled in a forbidden lesbian affair. Virginie Efira stars as the titular Benedetta, a nun whose religious fervor begins to manifest in increasingly sensual and violent visions of Jesus. These hallucinations arouse the suspicions of Charlotte Rampling's shrewd abbess, Sister Felicita, whose distrust grows when a farm girl called Bartolomea (Daphne Patakia) enters the convent seeking refuge, and quickly develops an attraction to Benedetta.
Verhoeven's intoxicating latest is a transgressive and alluring look at faith, power and religion, and is every bit as scandalous as you would expect from the controversial filmmaker.
Actors:
, , , , , , , , , , , , , , Héloïse Bresc, , , , ,
Directors:
Producers:
Saïd Ben Saïd, Michel Merkt, Jérôme Seydoux
Writers:
David Birke, Paul Verhoeven, Judith C. Brown, Pascal Bonitzer
Aka:
Blessed Virgin
Studio:
Mubi
Genres:
Drama, Romance
Collections:
A Brief History of Lesbian Cinema, A Brief History of Film...
BBFC:
Release Date:
29/08/2022
Run Time:
126 minutes
Languages:
English Audio Description, French Dolby Digital 2.0, French Dolby Digital 5.1
Subtitles:
English, English Hard of Hearing
DVD Regions:
Region 2
Formats:
Pal
Aspect Ratio:
Widescreen 2.39:1
Colour:
Colour
Bonus:
  • Interview with Paul Verhoeven and Virginie Efira
BBFC:
Release Date:
29/08/2022
Run Time:
131 minutes
Languages:
English Audio Description, French DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0, French DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1
Subtitles:
English, English Hard of Hearing
Formats:
Pal
Aspect Ratio:
Widescreen 2.39:1
Colour:
Colour
BLU-RAY Regions:
B
Bonus:
  • Interview with Paul Verhoeven and Virginie Efira
BBFC:
Release Date:
10/10/2022
Run Time:
131 minutes
Languages:
English Audio Description, French DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0, French DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1
Subtitles:
English, English Hard of Hearing
DVD Regions:
Region 0 (All)
Formats:
Pal
Aspect Ratio:
Widescreen 2.39:1
Colour:
Colour
BLU-RAY Regions:
(0) All
Bonus:
  • Interview with Paul Verhoeven and Virginie Efira

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Reviews (7) of Benedetta

Trigger warning: thrilling, discomforting, erotic, emotional, terrific - Benedetta review by Alphaville

Spoiler Alert
18/09/2022

Although it’s hard to believe, this colourful and rambunctious tale of a Lesbian nun who becomes an abbess is based on evidence from a real 17th century court case. In the hands of director Paul Verhoeven (Total Recall, Basic Instinct etc.) it’s a riot. There are moments when you may not be able to take your eyes away from the screen even if you want to.

It’s set in a convent where suffering is seen as the only way to salvation. And boy, do these Brides of Christ suffer. Benedetta has increasingly lurid and erotic dreams about Jesus while becoming involved in a Lesbian relationship with a fellow nun. Even the wooden Virgin Mary dildo they use is based on fact. And that’s just the start if it. Beginning as fun, the film dials up the excitement level, goes to some dark places and builds to provide an unexpectedly emotional punch.

Good to see one of cinema’s enfants terrible still on such good form and still causing trouble. The film has naturally been attacked in some quarters, but it’s good to see someone not afraid to make subversive art that refuses to tow the line. Rock on, Paul.

The DVD also has an enlightening interview with Verhoeven, including extracts from his previous films.

7 out of 7 members found this review helpful.

Very good, if not always easy to watch - Benedetta review by SB

Spoiler Alert
20/10/2022

This is a difficult film to watch in some ways because it can seem that Verhoeven is just deploying his trademark urge to shock audiences. But to me it seems better to regard it as being in the tradition of ribald, often anti-clerical, comedy of the sort found in The Canterbury Tales and The Decameron. It is a valid way to explore that borderline between the senses of the body and those of the spirit.

Even at the end of the film we cannot be sure whether Benedetta is a fraud, a genuine visionary, or something in between with just a good deal of cunning. The period settings in Renaissance Italy (though the film is in French) are well done. Charlotte Rampling puts in one of her usual cool, restrained performances as a woman who is in power, loses that power but remains always significant. In the lead role Virginie Efira shows again what a superb, brave actress she is, holding nothing back.

2 out of 2 members found this review helpful.

Stunning movie. - Benedetta review by themadpanner

Spoiler Alert
06/10/2022

This is one of the best movies of the decade, a sensational, shocking and hard hitting masterpiece. You will not remember this, and a excellent French DTS 5.1 sound mix. A pity it’s not Dolby Atmos as a full aural mix which would have made it even better. The music score, recorded in London fits the picture perfectly. A 10 star movie. 

2 out of 2 members found this review helpful.

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