The Demons (1973) movie poster

The Demons

Les démons

1973 ·1h 58m · ★ 5.3 (35)

A group of nuns become possessed by demons and are then tortured in a dungeon of horrors during the Inquisition.

Why it matters

A grim fusion of historical horror and supernatural possession that drags the viewer into the brutal machinery of the Inquisition’s darkest nightmares.

  • An unrelenting descent into religious terror, where demonic possession meets the real-life horrors of torture chambers.
  • Early 70s European horror with dank, oppressive atmosphere—think the moodier end of the folk horror spectrum.
  • Practical effects lean into visceral discomfort, no attempt to prettify the violence or possession.
  • Not for the faint of heart or those expecting subtlety—this one wears its cruelty on its sleeve, making it a tough but rewarding watch for fans of grim period horror.
50 horror films in catalog

Horror DNA

Gore
43
Slow Burn
33
Psychological
0
Supernatural
80
Creature
0
Disturbing
83
Fun Factor
0
Cerebral
14
Survival
66

Content Warnings

Sexual ViolenceTaboo ContentDehumanizationTorture

Phobia triggers

Religious ImageryTight Spaces

TMDB Keywords

convent (nunnery)female homosexualityinquisitionnunrapetorturewitch burning

Pairs Well With