Based on a true story, a 17th-century nun becomes entangled in a forbidden lesbian affair with a novice. But it is Benedetta’s shocking religious visions that threaten to shake the Church to its core.

For in-depth thoughts on Benedetta, please see my colleague Devin McGrath-Conwell’s review from its original theatrical release here.

Video Quality

Benedetta comes to Blu-Ray with a splendid AVC encoded 1080p transfer that showcases the striking cinematography of the film very well. The picture throughout is mostly clear with only brief instances of murkiness during a few of the darker scenes. Black levels have a fair amount of depth but could stand to be a bit deeper. Skin tones are natural throughout with some impeccable details present in certain shots. Some of the makeup implemented in terms of prosthetics along with cuts and grime is nicely textured.

Where the transfer stands out is the impressive level of detail both in the period costumes and the locations. Everything from the filthy, spare interiors to the intricacies of the costumes is quite impressive. The cinematography features deep, depressed colors that intentionally seek to not give this feature an unnatural aesthetic. The lighting is where the movie provides its boldest colors. Overall, this is quite an impressive transfer that should satisfy its audience.

Audio Quality

The film comes with a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track in the original French that has quite a bit of depth and nuance throughout. For a film that gets steadily more daring as it builds, it is important to have the visuals in perfect harmony with the sound design, and this never proves to be an issue. Dialogue comes through crisp and clear without being overwhelmed by any of the other competing sounds. Activity in the low end is effective when the moment calls for it, but mostly it is subtle and used to add a bit of texture to the world. .

The score maintains a pleasing fidelity so that nothing ever feels lacking. Environmental sounds are an important part when it comes to enriching the world, and this track brings these elements to life quite capably. The use of the rear channels to create a fully enveloping soundscape works quite well. The directionality is quite precise so sounds always present as natural when coming from their respective points. RLJE Films has delivered a wonderful track for this film. This disc includes English and Spanish subtitles.

Special Features

There are no special features provided on this disc.

Final Thoughts

Benedetta is a film that feels destined to be reduced down to a logline, but those who can see beyond the “taboo” nature of the story will be greeted to something fairly considered by Paul Verhoeven standards. There are frank depictions of sex, but nothing ever feels too exploitative or out of bounds within the narrative. It is very likely you will be shocked by something within this effort, but to expect anything less from one of the most uncompromising directors around would be silly. The performances from the key cast members are terrific, especially the titular performance from Virginie Efira. RLJE Films has released a Blu-Ray featuring a top-tier A/V presentation but nothing in the way of special features. If you are a fan of Verhoeven, or just want to see a layered tale of sexuality and religion, do not be afraid of this one. Recommended

Benedetta is currently available to purchase on Blu-Ray and DVD.

Note: Images presented in this review are not reflective of the image quality of the Blu-Ray.

Disclaimer: RLJE Films has supplied a copy of this disc free of charge for review purposes. All opinions in this review are the honest reactions of the author.