Halfway through this movie I felt insulted. As the story matured many things became obvious and enjoyable. I was blown away by the third act. Alucarda should not be taken too seriously nor disregarded as common shock cinema. It is a pretentious film which hits substantial deep notes and at other times scatters about crazily. As a cult classic it has weathered time and scrutiny and as a low budget B-film it has its share of laughs and mistakes. Mexican director Juan López Moctezuma (which has collaborated with Jodorowsky) seems to want to shock and appall his audience; and we thank him for doing a good job.

The first thing you realize about young Alucarda are her cold black eyes. The first time we meet her she comes out of the shadows like a minion of darkness. No one can tell me she gradually became evil. She was far beyond star-fucked since we first see her. Her eyes are like curious devils in a deep abyss. There is nothing good about Alucarda. The story is centered around a Catholic convent in rural Mexico which also take in orphans and instruct them in church ways. I have never seen nuns dress like this. They look like walking tampons. Their headpiece looks like bandages and their dress is a rough white multi layered ankle length dress. Many of the nuns have blood stains on the crotch area and the hem of the dress. Another good comparison would be they look like mummy brides. Alucarda stands out by wearing a long black witch dress. She shares a room with the new orphan girl, Justine, and she’s instantly smitten. In a few days they are frolicking in the pastures, playing with bugs and holding hands.

There is an urgent theme of established monotheistic religious practice versus hedonistic paganism. What does this all mean? It means Alucarda hates men, religion, and rules and loves lesbian sex, sensuality and Satan. She’s like a poisoned child with demonic powers. Early in the film we see her mother giving birth to her in a crypt. The child is handed to the nuns for upbringing. That crypt in the woods creeped me out. Alucarda and Justine become lovers and run into a band of gypsies while exploring the woods. They eventually explore themselves a bit too! The Gypsy man somehow opens them up to a world of orgy loving Satanists. Both girls are inducted as Satan’s bitches. They hang out at the old crypt and make a blood pact to love each other and Satan.

Back at the convent Alucarda and Justine utter blasphemy against God and let everyone know they love Satan. We get to see the nuns and a priest flagellating themselves and praying. The local priest wants to perform an exorcism on the girls but Satan has the upper hand here. Justine dies during the exorcism and Alucarda is taken away by the town doctor. Before you can do the sign of the cross Alucarda is seducing the doctor’s blind daughter. In an over the top scene reminiscent of Carrie, Alucarda snaps and sets people on fire in the convent.

Although a Mexican production, the movie was filmed in English. There are many ridiculously funny lines. You could play a drinking game to whenever someone says the word Satan or "the devil". I was left wanting more from this movie. Although we see both girls fully nude, a solid lesbian scene would have been nicely welcomed. There’s blood scattered around at times but nothing too heavy. The dialogue is cheap poetic garbage which makes little sense. The movie desperately needs structure and a more worked out narrative. I think this movie is ok and may improve upon a second viewing so I recommend you check it out at least.

- Jorge Antonio Lopez