The Antichrist

In the 70"s there was a"devil craze"due to the success of Satan themed horror classics like Rosemary's Baby, The Exorcist and The Omen. This film riffs heavily off of The Exorcist, but does it with a different style of filmmaking and a setting in Rome/The Vatican. It does have a good atmosphere with great sets and good camera work. The acting is also quite good and with the cultural differences and European style give this enough to set itself apart from the movie that this is trying to rip off. At the end of the day, it is a rip off and no it's not as good as The Exorcist, but it also is not that bad. In fact, you could do a lot worse in this genre and if you enjoy movies of this type then The Antichrist is worth a look.

L'anticristo, or The Antichrist, is a stylish and sleazy treat for fans of Italian horror. This 1974 possession flick from director Alberto De Martino embraces its exploitative nature, delivering a shocking and scandalous experience that will divide audiences.

The story centers on a young woman, Ippolita, who finds herself possessed by Satan after her ancestor was once under his control and burned at the stake. Ippolita, confined to a wheelchair, battles her sexual frustrations and a dark family history, providing a unique twist on the exorcism sub-genre.

The film excels in its visuals. The cinematography by Joe D'Amato is stunning, with beautiful yet eerie settings that enhance the atmosphere. The camera work is top-notch, adding a layer of elegance to the otherwise gruesome and shocking events. The score, composed by Ennio Morricone and Bruno Nicolai, is also a standout element, creating a sense of tension and unease.

However, the film stumbles when it comes to its pacing and special effects. The plot moves at a glacial pace, and the leaden timing bogs down the otherwise engaging story. The special effects are also underwhelming, with mediocre execution that fails to impress, especially during the pivotal exorcism scenes.

Despite these shortcomings, L'anticristo offers a unique take on the exorcism theme, providing more depth to its characters and a stronger emotional impact than many of its contemporaries. The performances are solid, with Carla Gravina's portrayal of Ippolita being a highlight. Her character's situation and struggles add a layer of complexity to the typical possession narrative.

In conclusion, L'anticristo is a flawed yet fascinating entry in the Italian horror canon. It will undoubtedly satisfy those seeking a gruesome and scandalous good time. While it may not be a masterpiece, it is a solid effort that will please fans of the sub-genre.

So, if you're in the mood for a devilish delight, give L'anticristo a spin. Just be prepared for a bumpy ride as you exorcise your way through this stylish yet uneven horror treat.

Alberto De Martino's "L'Anticristo" is definitely one of the better Italian possession flicks.Carla Gravina is excellent as a wheel-chair bound,sexually frustrated Ippolita.The photography is stylish and the score by Ennio Morricone and Bruno Nicolai is outstanding.The special effects are quite mediocre,but there is a nice amount of sleaze to satisfy fans of Italian horror.The infamous goat orgy scene is rather unpleasant and hard to forget.So if you like Italian horror movies give this one a look.7 out of 10.Recommended.

This movie gave me chills. Whereas the excorcist didn't scare me in the least, this movie is more detailed, and more focussed on life outside of the girl's room! It's an old movie, but truly scary!! absolutely recommended.

There are exactly two elements in this movie that work. The first is a well-done special effect of an imploding screen. The second is the choice to have the saliva of the possessed woman bear an unmistakable resemblance to... another substance. This becomes the only element of the sexual subtext that is genuinely unsettling, rather than just unpleasant and nasty.

Other than that, this is a poorly-made attempt to rip off "The Exorcist". And by "rip off", I don't mean just that this was a possession movie made to cash in on the popularity of "The Exorcist"; I mean that elements from the Blatty/Friedkin production are copied so shamelessly that it evokes disbelieving laughter at the effrontery.

Sadly, "The Tempter" fails to do what "The Exorcist" did, and give those elements a context that makes sense. The Blatty/Friedkin film remains compelling because it is a mystery; it is not about the shocking visual effects but rather of a truth that no one wants to believe. Every scene contains a clue to the mystery; every clue chips away at civilized denial that such a thing could happen. This movie could actually have gone "The Exorcist" one better, by constructing the same sort of mystery and treating the strong subtext of sexual temptation as a piece of the puzzle and not just a chance for cheap thrills. Instead, this movie is made with the vague notion that projectile vomiting at a priest is boffo box office, baby. "The Exorcist" is clockwork inside and "The Tempter" is just Jell-O.