Werewolf Woman

'Werewolf Woman,' also known as 'La Lupa mannara' in Italian, is a 1976 Italian sex horror film directed by Rino Di Stefani. The movie is a bizarre mix of elements from various genres, featuring elements of eroticism, supernatural horror, and revenge thrillers. The story revolves around Francesca, played by Annie Belle, a young woman who has strange and erotic dreams about a werewolf. These visions haunt her, and when she wakes up, they often manifest in the form of a deep-seated desire for men. It becomes a recurring theme throughout the film that Francesca's instincts drive her to seduce and subsequently kill men. This primal desire is depicted as a beast that controls her, which further emphasizes the werewolf element. It's worth noting that Francesca's actions are not necessarily driven by a need for sustenance or survival, as they are in typical werewolf tales. Instead, her actions seem almost instinctual and detached. The film implies that Francesca is caught between her own desires and the societal expectations placed upon her as a woman. As a result, her inner turmoil is a reflection of her confusion and frustration with the limitations imposed upon her by societal norms. When Francesca meets a young man named Riccardo, played by Giancarlo Giannini, her life takes a significant turn. The two start a romantic relationship, and Riccardo becomes the center of Francesca's world. Her love for Riccardo momentarily calms the savage beast that lies within her, and she appears to have found a sense of peace. However, this newfound happiness is short-lived, as Francesca's life is thrown into chaos when she's raped. This traumatic event sets off a chain reaction, as Francesca becomes consumed by her darker impulses. In a state of madness, she sets out to exact revenge on those responsible for her ordeal. Riccardo, unfortunately, becomes her first target, and Francesca's descent into madness is marked by her killing him. The film then escalates into a frenetic and disturbing climax as Francesca's desire for revenge transforms into an all-out hunt for anyone who she perceives as responsible for her suffering. 'Werewolf Woman' is a film that defies easy categorization. It walks a thin line between horror and sexploitation and ultimately fails to deliver on either front due to its disjointed narrative and amateurish execution. However, the film does possess some minor interest as a historical artifact, offering a glimpse into the types of films that were being made in the early 1970s. At the time of its release, 'Werewolf Woman' became notorious for its graphic content and what's now considered a proto-pornographic approach. Annie Belle's scenes in the film have often been cited as examples of this more liberal approach to erotic content found in low-budget films of the era. While some critics have dismissed 'Werewolf Woman' as a piece of trash, others have appreciated its bizarre and often inexplicable nature, viewing it as a campy and kitschy masterpiece. Regardless, 'Werewolf Woman' remains a fascinating historical footnote, providing insights into the evolution of low-budget cinema in the 1970s.