Benedetta

In 17th-century Pescia, Italy, a young girl named Benedetta Carlini is brought to a Theatine convent by her parents. Under the guidance of Abbess Felicita, she begins her life devoted to faith and service within the convent's walls.

After 18 years of devoted life, Benedetta participates in a play where she plays the Virgin Mary. During this performance, she experiences a profound vision of Jesus calling her name, which sets in motion events that will alter her life and the convent forever.

A teenage peasant girl named Bartolomea arrives at the convent seeking refuge from her abusive father. Benedetta is assigned to guide her as she adjusts to life in the convent, offering her companionship and support during this difficult transition.

After a passionate kiss shared between Benedetta and Bartolomea, Benedetta finds herself awakening to new feelings that challenge her devotion. This kiss not only sparks a romance but also fuels her growing visions of Jesus.

Benedetta begins experiencing vivid visions of Jesus, culminating in a traumatic encounter where she believes He saves her from a brutal attack. Following this episode, she falls gravely ill, prompting Abbess Felicita to assign Bartolomea to care for her during this crisis.

After a series of visions where Christ urges her to undress and touch His hands, Benedetta awakes with stigmata on her hands and feet. This miraculous event raises eyebrows at the convent, leading Abbess Felicita to question the validity of Benedetta's experiences.

Abbess Felicita grows skeptical of Benedetta's claims, especially since her stigmata appear while she is asleep. The situation escalates when Benedetta begins exhibiting strange behavior, such as commanding a male voice during her episodes, intensifying concerns about her miraculous claims.

Sister Christina, the abbess's daughter, becomes suspicious and claims to witness Benedetta inflicting her own wounds. This accusation forces the local priest to confront Christina, leading to a series of investigations about the phenomenon surrounding Benedetta.

In her despair from humiliation due to the scrutiny and accusations, Christina tragically jumps from the convent’s roof. Her death exacerbates the tension between Benedetta's supporters and her detractors within the convent and the local community.

As a deadly plague sweeps through Pescia, Benedetta asserts that the town will be spared, leading to controversial decisions, including closing the abbey to prevent contamination. This declaration heightens her power within the convent's hierarchy.

Abbess Felicita embarks on a covert mission to Florence to inform the papal nuncio of Benedetta's alleged indiscretions. Upon her return, new dimensions to Benedetta's 'miracles' unfold, causing further investigation into her behavior.

The papal nuncio arrives to investigate Benedetta's behavior more thoroughly. When evidence of her sexual encounters surfaces, including the hidden wooden dildo, Benedetta is arrested, marking a significant turning point in her fate.

Chaos erupts in the town square as Benedetta faces execution by burning at the stake. In a dramatic twist, she reveals new stigmata, claiming that the Angel of Death is near, leading to fear and riots among the townspeople.

With tensions at a boiling point, the townspeople revolt against the nuncio, preventing Benedetta's execution. In the ensuing chaos, the nuncio faces the wrath of the populace, leading to his violent demise.

Amid the turmoil, Bartolomea frees Benedetta from imprisonment. They discover a bloody potsherd, a symbol of the dark events that transpired, and ultimately decide to escape Pescia together, seeking freedom from the constraints of their lives.