The Unholy

The Unholy

1988

Director-Camilo Vila

Cast- Ben Cross, Nicole Fortier, Ned Beatty, Hal Holbrook, Trevor Howard, William Russ, Jill Carroll

          

     At first glance this may appear to be another Exorcist clone, but this film came along about 10 years too late to ride the Satanism wave of the 70s. Rather than another film about priest verses demon, this is more of an occult detective story.

            The film begins with a priest being murdered in his church by a beautiful succubus (Nicole Fortier). Next we see Father Michael (Ben Cross) miraculously surviving a fall from a tall building. This miracle convinces church hierarchy (Hal Holbrook and Trevor Howard) that Michael is the person to take over the church of the murdered priest. They know there is more going on than a simple murder, but they aren’t letting on what they know. 

            Father Michael takes an interest in a girl, Millie (Jill Carroll) who works at a satanic themed night club ran by Luke (William Russ), a con man that uses parlor tricks to cash in on people’s obsession with evil and the occult. Millie and Luke initially hint at some dark supernatural power at work around them but Father Michael can’t trust this as Luke is a con man and Millie seems more borderline personality than brushed by the devil. This doubt as to what he sees is part of the crisis of faith that Father Michael faces.

            The other part is lust. The succubus tempts the priests with her sexual wiles, killing them only after they give in to temptation. Millie becomes infatuated with Father Michael and comes on to him pretty strong. Father Michael must deal with his suppressed sexual desires while at the same time figuring how much of what he sees is real verses bologna.

           

Father Michael is finally confronted with a rather dramatic sign that he has to accept as obvious proof of Satan’s supernatural hand and his church superiors finally clue him in as to what’s really going on. Father Michael must confront the succubus and withstand her temptations. The final confrontation is marred by some latex monsters that seem a little cheesy and overly obvious given the movies otherwise subtle approach.

            Despite the production values of a B movie, the film is helped by a very strong cast and dark moodiness. The most memorable part of the film is the succubus herself. She only appears at the beginning of the film and the end, but wow does she make an impression. Her red hair, ample breasts, lithe body, pale skin and see through shroud make for a very erotic image.  She would be a very difficult temptress to deny indeed.