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Drama Cult Classic

In 1700s France, a convent becomes a crucible of lust, jealousy, and sadistic power plays.

CONVENT OF SINNERS

1986 · 1h 28m · NR · Drama / Horror · IMDB TMDB

A story of Susanna, a young girl who is raped by her own father and sent to a convent for her sins, where she falls in love with a priest. The other nuns, however, are jealous and angry, they want Susanna for themselves, and accuse her of being possessed by the Devil.

Quick Answer

What is Convent of Sinners about?

Convent of Sinners is a 1986 Italian drama-horror film directed by Joe D'Amato about a young woman sent to a convent after being raped by her stepfather, where she faces sexual manipulation, jealousy, and accusations of demonic possession.

Programmer's Pick

Joe D'Amato dives headlong into the nunsploitation genre, wringing every drop of decadence from his 1700s convent setting. Between sexual rivalry, sadistic punishments, and feverish religious mania, this Italian shocker delivers a potent cocktail of vice and virtue gone awry.

— SassyFlix Programmer

Overview

Set in France in 1700, Convent of Sinners follows Susanna, a young woman forced into a convent after a traumatic assault by her stepfather. The supposed sanctuary is anything but holy, as Susanna finds herself at the center of intense sexual politics and power struggles among the nuns. The Mother Superior's attraction to Susanna sparks jealousy from Sister Theresa, who begins scheming to reclaim her place in the convent's hierarchy. As the Mother Superior's health fails, Theresa takes charge, making Susanna's life ever more unbearable. Themes of hypocrisy, forbidden desires, and religious zealotry permeate the claustrophobic, oppressive environment, where rumors and manipulation threaten to consume anyone who stands out.

Details & Specs

Director
Joe D'Amato
Writers
Antonio Bonifacio, Daniele Stroppa
Release
1986
Runtime
1h 28m
Country
Italy
Language
Italian
Genres
Drama, Horror
Also Known As
Convent of Sinners, Una monja en pecado, Kloster der 1000 Todsünden, La monaca del peccato (original title)

Why This Matters

This nunsploitation entry was directed, photographed, and edited by Joe D'Amato, adapting Denis Diderot's novel 'La Religeuse' and reflecting the director's hands-on approach within the Italian erotic film movement of the 1980s.
— SassyFlix Curator

Why Cult

Nunsploitation Excess

This film revels in the infamous tropes of the nunsploitation genre—expect lust, religious fervor, and plenty of taboo-breaking convent debauchery.

Power Struggles & Jealousy

Sister Theresa's scheming and the Mother Superior’s forbidden desires drive a cutthroat battle for dominance inside the convent walls.

Italian Exploitation Style

Directed by Joe D'Amato, the film exemplifies Italian sexploitation with its blend of eroticism, cruelty, and religious hypocrisy.

Taboo & Transgression

From sexual manipulation to accusations of demonic possession, the film doesn’t shy away from taboo subjects and controversial moral territory.

Scene Gallery

Threat File

Trigger

Susanna's arrival and the Mother Superior's attraction

Threat

Theresa's abuse of power and accusations of demonic possession

Effect

Susanna's persecution, isolation, and suffering

Setting

1700s French convent

Questions from the Vault

Who directed Convent of Sinners? +

Convent of Sinners was directed by Joe D'Amato.

How long is Convent of Sinners? +

Convent of Sinners has a runtime of 88 minutes.

What genre is Convent of Sinners? +

Convent of Sinners is a drama-horror film.

Where can I watch Convent of Sinners? +

Convent of Sinners is available to watch on SassyFlix.

How does Sister Theresa try to ruin Susanna within the convent? +

Sister Theresa spreads a rumor that Susanna is possessed by the Devil, then takes command of the convent and abuses her power to torment Susanna.

Trailers & Clips