The cinematography emphasizes the contrast between the restrictive convent life and the vivid, ecstatic visions experienced by Benedetta. Critics praised the strong performances, particularly from Efira, who portrays a figure navigating both spiritual devotion and personal desire.
Visually, Benedetta contrasts the grim, claustrophobic stone walls of the Tuscan convent with the bright, sun-drenched landscapes of the Italian countryside. Cinematographer Jeanne Lapoirie utilizes naturalistic lighting that evokes Renaissance paintings, making the sudden bursts of surreal, dreamlike violence in Benedetta’s visions stand out with jarring clarity. In these visions, Jesus appears not as a peaceful shepherd, but as a sword-wielding action hero slaughtering wild animals and bandits—a hilarious and deliberate nod to Verhoeven's background in Hollywood blockbusters. Benedetta.2021.720p.BluRay.x264-JustWatch
Content and Trigger Notes Contains explicit sexual content (including sexuality between women), nudity, bodily injury and violence, scenes of religious imagery used provocatively, and material that may be disturbing to viewers sensitive to sexual or religious themes. Loosely based on the 1985 non-fiction book Immodest
Loosely based on the 1985 non-fiction book Immodest Acts: The Life of a Lesbian Nun in Renaissance Italy by Judith C. Brown. Technical Specifications From an early age
Set during the plague-ridden Italy of the 17th century, the movie follows the life of Benedetta Carlini (played by Virginie Efira), a young woman who enters a convent in Pescia, Tuscany. From an early age, Benedetta claims to experience miraculous visions of Jesus Christ. As she rises to power within the convent, she also begins a passionate, forbidden lesbian love affair with Bartolomea (Daphné Patakia), a young woman who recently joined the convent after escaping abuse.