She begins to see troubling visions, and finds herself confronted with an unexplained sexual awakening that leaves her feeling shameful. It’s clear she’s desperately trying to escape something, but we’re not sure what. But the mother superior insists she return home, reminding Natalia that the convent is “not a hideout”.Įven before Natalia arrives to help care for her gravely ill father, we understand that her childhood home holds little in the way of happy memories. Despite the unsettling news, she’s in no hurry to leave. She receives word from home that her parents were in an accident, and her mother has died.

Luciferina opens with a beautiful young nun named Natalia (Sofia Del Tuffo) happily working at a convent. While the film tackles some very familiar subject matter, it does so with a daring style that helps elevate it above typical genre fare. Undoubtedly inspired by Dario Argento’s “Three Mothers” trilogy, Luciferina is introduced to viewers as the first of a trio of films known as “The Trinity of Virgins”. His previous film Resurrection was the most watched horror movie in Argentina’s history. Luciferina is the latest film from Argentinian writer/director Gonzalo Calzada. When done right, these films deliver some of the most satisfying scares and great atmospheric dread.

While few films about demonic possession ever manage to break through the clutter without feeling purely derivative, there’s a reason the sub-genre is such a hotbed of activity. Beautifully shot with a powerful lead performance, “Luciferina” is satisfyingly creepy and surprisingly original - while boasting one hell of an ending.ĭespite the seriously overcrowded playing field, there’s something truly special about a great religious horror film.

Malena movie meaning