Pop art meets power games in a twisted Italian psychological thriller of sex and manipulation.
THE LAUGHING WOMAN
A rich and sadistic man, who enjoys degrading women as part of elaborate S&M games, abducts a female journalist. She is subjected to his unpleasant games but soon begins subverting him.
The Laughing Woman is a 1969 Italian drama, romance, and thriller film directed by Piero Schivazappa about a sadistic philanthropist who abducts a female journalist for his elaborate S&M games, only for her to begin turning the tables.
- Director
- Piero Schivazappa
- Writers
- Paolo Levi, Piero Schivazappa, Giuseppe Zaccariello
- Release
- 1969
- Runtime
- 1h 26m
- Country
- Italy
- Language
- Italian
- Also Known As
- The Laughing Woman, The Frightened Woman, Gioco d’amore, gioco di morte, Le duo de la mort, Femina ridens (original title)
The SassyFlix Take
Where there’s a villa, a philanthropist, and a bottle of J&B Scotch, trouble is never far behind.
Why Cult
The film’s striking visual style draws heavily on Pop Art, giving its twisted games a surreal, stylish sheen.
What starts as calculated sadism veers into a tense psychological duel when the supposed victim begins to subvert her captor.
A heady mix of bondage, S&M, and nudity set in a decadent Roman villa cements this film’s place in the Italian sexploitation canon.
Dagmar Lassander brings both vulnerability and cunning to Maria, the journalist who proves more than a match for her tormentor.
About This Film
Film Details
Themes & Keywords
Frequently Asked Questions
What is The Laughing Woman about? +
The Laughing Woman follows Dr. Sayer, a sadistic philanthropist who abducts a young journalist and subjects her to elaborate S&M games, only for her to begin subverting him.
When was The Laughing Woman released? +
The Laughing Woman was released in 1969.
Who directed The Laughing Woman? +
The Laughing Woman was directed by Piero Schivazappa.
How long is The Laughing Woman? +
The Laughing Woman has a runtime of 86 minutes.
What genre is The Laughing Woman? +
The Laughing Woman is a drama, romance, and thriller.