Killer Nun

Killer Nun, directed by Giulio Berruti, is an Italian nunsploitation horror film released in 1979. It stars Swedish actress Anita Ekberg, Italian actress Alida Valli, and Italian actor Massimo Serato. The film weaves together several themes, such as mystery, suspense, psychological horror, religion, and exploitation.

Anita Ekberg stars as Sister Gertrude, the film's central character, who is a nun working in a geriatric hospital in Italy. Ekberg delivers an unforgettable performance as she takes the audience on a rollercoaster ride through Gertrude's tumultuous existence. A compassionate and selfless nurse, Sister Gertrude is admired within the caring institution initially. However, after undergoing a neurosurgery, her persona drastically changes, taking a detour into the darker terrains of her psyche.

The plot of the film thickens when Sister Gertrude starts becoming dependent on morphine, transforming her into an entirely different person. Her character turning erratic and paranoid, she systematically drives herself into a dangerous pit of madness and insanity. These alterations in her demeanor have a profound impact on those around her, especially her patients, who become increasingly fearful of her.

Alida Valli portrays Sister Mathieu, another nun in the hospital who is emotionally attached to Sister Gertrude. Alida offers a unique nuance to her character, adding an extra layer of tension and drama to an already taut narrative. In contrast to the spiritually faltering character of Sister Gertrude, Sister Mathieu's devotion to her faith remains steadfast, clear, and unyielding.

Massimo Serato gives a poignant performance as Dr. Poirret, a trusted doctor becoming more and more concerned with Gertrude's rapid mental deterioration. His character symbolizes the thin line between science and faith, being the voice of reason in a profoundly distorted environment.

The film takes an eerie turn when suspicious deaths begin to occur in the hospital. As the events unfold, viewers are left at the edge of their seats, questioning Sister Gertrude's involvement in the morbid occurrences. The suspense in Killer Nun grows, contributing to the slow-burning, unsettling atmosphere that clings to each frame.

Killer Nun does not shy away from lurid sensationalism, but it manages to keep the elements of exploitation in balance with its underlying psychological exploration of Sister Gertrude's troubled psyche. The film's cinematography beautifully captures the haunting visuals of the hospital and remains artfully evocative throughout the movie, enhancing the ominous atmosphere.

An undercurrent to the film’s narrative is the personal struggle between faith and scepticism, trust, and fear. The heavy subjectivity of religion, its role in the characters' lives, and its impact on their behaviours are thoroughly examined. The elements of religion, particularly the characterization of nuns, are not used for sheer horror purposes but to highlight the depth of the characters and the situations they find themselves in.

Killer Nun successfully blurs the lines between the sacred and the sinister. It introduces elements from the nunsploitation genre, then twists them into a psychologically dense and morally complex narrative. The movie's performance, combined with an eerie and chillingly atmospheric setting, creates an unsettling film experience that firmly holds onto its audience from its opening moments right through to its shocking climax.

In conclusion, Killer Nun takes viewers on a terrifying ride, delving deep within the human psyche, exploring themes of remorse, faith, and obsession within the ambience of a religious institution. This exploration juxtaposed with the elements of horror and mystery makes the film a serious and intriguing addition to the horror exploitation genre. While for some, it might be a disturbingly direct confrontation with the darker side of human nature, for others, it is a fascinatingly dark foray into the depths of madness, degradation, and sacrilege. It's a must-see for vintage horror and exploitation enthusiasts.