The Strange Hostel of Naked Pleasures, directed by Brazilian horror filmmaker José Mojica Marins (also known as Zé do Caixão), presents a perplexing and disjointed narrative. Although it features many typical elements of Marins' horror cinema, such as macabre monologues, twisted sexual scenes, and sadistic violence, the execution falls short. Let's delve into the eerie inn where time stands still and guests face their eternal torment.
The film opens with a surreal sequence: dancing women, monkey-like figures, and native Brazilian drummers. An old man chants over a closed coffin, and a mysterious man rises from it-top hat, cape, and long fingernails in tow. At the isolated "Hospedaria dos Prazeres" (Hostel of Pleasures), the proprietor invites guests to stay during a tempestuous storm. Among them are drunken bohemian motorcyclists, an adulterous couple, a suicidal man, and more. As the night unfolds, they discover their watches all display midnight, and the proprietor reveals gruesome scenes of their deaths before midnight-a chilling punishment where time ceases to exist.
Despite its intriguing premise, The Strange Hostel of Naked Pleasures disappoints. The film lacks coherence, dragging with repetition and a slow pace. Practically nothing happens until the final revelation, leaving viewers wondering why such an inexplicable establishment exists. While I appreciate some aspects, including the atmospheric setting, the overall experience falls flat.
