Benedetta (2021)
Paul Verhoeven's audacious historical drama plunges into faith, desire, and power inside a 17th-century Italian convent.
Benedetta - Movie Information
- Original Title: Benedetta
- Release Year: 2021
- Directed by: Paul Verhoeven
- Type: Movie
- Genres: History, Drama, Romance
- Age Rating (US): NR
- Runtime: 2h 11m
- Original Language: French
- Spoken Languages: French, Latin
- Release Date (Theatrical): July 9, 2021 (Switzerland - 16), April 15, 2022 (United Kingdom - 18), December 2, 2021 (Germany - 16), July 9, 2021 (France - 12), February 10, 2022 (Australia - R18+), January 13, 2022 (Brazil - 18), March 2, 2023 (Italy - 14+), October 1, 2021 (Spain - 16), December 1, 2021 (South Korea - 19)
- Alternative Titles: เบเนเดตต้า ใครอยากให้เธอบาป (TH), Святая дева (RU), Blessed Virgin (NL), 聖慾 (TW), Бенедетта (UA), 聖慾 (HK)
- Production Companies: SBS Productions, Topkapi Films, Pathé, France 2 Cinéma, France 3 Cinéma, Belga Productions
- Production Countries: Belgium, France, Netherlands
Benedetta - Plot
A 17th-century nun becomes entangled in a forbidden lesbian affair with a novice. But it is Benedetta's shocking religious visions that threaten to shake the Church to its core.
Benedetta - Trailer
Watch the official trailer and see the world of Benedetta come to life:
I don't know God's ways, but he works his will through me.
Where to Watch Benedetta
Looking for where to watch Benedetta?
Compare all viewing options available in your region on JustWatch ↗
Benedetta - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Paul Verhoeven
Main Cast
- Virginie Efira
- Charlotte Rampling
- Daphné Patakia
- Lambert Wilson
- Olivier Rabourdin
- Louise Chevillotte
- Hervé Pierre
- Clotilde Courau
- David Clavel
- Guilaine Londez
Writers
- David Birke
- Paul Verhoeven
Producers
- Jérôme Seydoux
- Saïd Ben Saïd
- Michel Merkt
Benedetta - FAQs
Is Benedetta based on a true story?
Yes, Benedetta is based on the true story of Benedetta Carlini, a 17th-century Italian abbess who claimed to have mystical visions of Christ. The film is adapted from historian Judith C. Brown's 1986 book Immodest Acts: The Life of a Lesbian Nun in Renaissance Italy, which drew on surviving Inquisition trial records.
Where can you stream Benedetta online?
Benedetta is available to stream on AMC+, the Criterion Channel, Philo, Sundance Now, and MUBI in the United States. It can also be rented or purchased on Apple TV, Google Play Movies, YouTube, and Fandango At Home. Kanopy offers free access through participating libraries.
Who plays the lead role in Benedetta?
Belgian actress Virginie Efira plays Sister Benedetta Carlini, delivering a commanding performance as the visionary nun. The supporting cast includes Charlotte Rampling as the authoritative Sister Felicita, Daphné Patakia as Bartolomea, and Lambert Wilson as the menacing papal Nuncio.
What is Benedetta about?
Set in 17th-century Tuscany, Benedetta follows a nun who enters a passionate forbidden relationship with a fellow novice while experiencing intense religious visions of Jesus Christ. Her claims of stigmata and divine communication ignite a power struggle within the convent and draw dangerous scrutiny from Church authorities.
Did Benedetta win any awards or critical recognition?
Benedetta premiered in Competition at the 2021 Cannes Film Festival, where it received the Jury Prize for Best Director consideration and generated significant critical discussion. Virginie Efira earned widespread praise for her lead performance, and the film holds strong reviews for its bold, provocative filmmaking.
What is the age rating for Benedetta?
Benedetta is rated NR (Not Rated) in the United States, though it contains explicit sexual content, nudity, and scenes of religious violence. International ratings include 18 in the United Kingdom, R18+ in Australia, 18 in Brazil, and 16 in France, Switzerland, and Spain.
Who directed Benedetta and what is his style?
Paul Verhoeven directed Benedetta. The Dutch filmmaker is known for provocative, boundary-pushing cinema including RoboCop, Basic Instinct, and Elle. With Benedetta, he applies his characteristically transgressive lens to historical religious drama, blending genuine theological inquiry with explicit eroticism and sharp institutional critique.
How long is the film Benedetta?
Benedetta has a runtime of 131 minutes, approximately 2 hours and 11 minutes. The film was released in France on July 9, 2021, and had its US theatrical release on December 3, 2021, distributed by IFC Films.
More About Benedetta
Explore further details, ratings, and production information through these authoritative sources: