The Devils

I hope one day I'm so sexy people assume I'm in cohorts with Satan. This works on every conceivable level. Most films aspire to be this memorable, shocking, funny, and gripping for their entire runtime. If you know anything about this movie, you probably know that it's widely controversial and was banned in several countries for decades. While I think that's a bit extreme, this movie features one of the most scathing critiques of Christianity I've seen across art forms, so I definitely understand why. Gratuitously sexy and violent in a way that scorns Christianity for creating enemies out of curiosity, honesty, and humanity. It finds whatever scapegoat it can to keep people in control, spreading from the confines of religion and into politics and the public consciousness. It takes advantage of those who have nothing else in their life and laugh at their misfortune, creating monsters fueled by desperation. While other horror movies have explored this, The Devils does so in a way completely void of sympathy, and that's something I can always get behind. Not just complete vitriol for Christianity (though I do love that from time to time) but completely unapologetic art, not only in its themes but in its methods. This film is batshit insane in all the ways that worked for me. The performances are all sublime, Oliver Reed is phenomenal and Michael Gothard elevates every scene. The direction is immaculate, and I felt completely enraptured in a way that period movies like this rarely do, while simultaneously keeping me surprised and engaged the entire duration. The production design and costumes are superb. I could just list every aspect that goes into a movie and insert a hyperbolic adjective but I'll spare you the time and say this movie excels in every aspect of filmmaking. I loved it dearly, and this'll be one that sits with me for a while. Definitely a new favorite and now I'm SO gonna check out more of Russell's stuff.