Quick Answer
The Monk is a 1972 English-language drama-horror film directed by Adonis Kyrou about Ambrosio, a monk who is sexually tempted by a young girl acting as an emissary of the Devil and faces the threat of the Inquisition.
Programmer's Pick
Franco Nero trades his blue-collar grit for a monk’s habit, only to find that the Devil has better recruiters than any seminary. Between the nunsploitation intrigue and a healthy dose of literary blasphemy, The Monk delivers sin with style.
— SassyFlix Programmer
Overview
Why This Matters
This 1972 adaptation of Matthew Gregory Lewis's 1796 novel exemplifies European Gothic cinema and reflects a rare multinational co-production between France, Belgium, Italy, and West Germany.
Cast & Crew
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Why Cult
Watch a seemingly pious monk ensnared by the Devil’s own emissary, bringing supernatural seduction to his cloistered life.
This film leans into the nunsploitation subgenre, mixing religious transgression with provocative imagery and forbidden desires.
Based on Matthew Lewis’s infamous source material, the film offers a faithful plunge into gothic depravity and moral collapse.
The looming threat of the Inquisition provides a tense backdrop for Ambrosio’s downfall, adding stakes beyond the merely carnal.
Scene Gallery
Threat File
Ambrosio succumbs to temptation
Devil's emissary in disguise
Corruption, crime, and the risk of Inquisition punishment
Monastery and Inquisition-era society
Questions from the Vault
When was The Monk released? +
The Monk was released in 1972.
Who directed The Monk? +
The Monk was directed by Adonis Kyrou.
How long is The Monk? +
The Monk has a runtime of 94 minutes.
What genre is The Monk? +
The Monk is a drama and horror film.
Where can I watch The Monk? +
You can watch The Monk on SassyFlix.
How does the Devil tempt Ambrosio in The Monk? +
The Devil tempts Ambrosio through a young girl in monk’s robes, who acts as an emissary to seduce and lead him astray.
