Lisa and the Devil

Lisa and the Devil

Year: 1973

Runtime: 95 mins

Language: Italian

Director: Mario Bava

HorrorHorror the undead and monster classicsIntense violence and sexual transgressionGothic and eerie haunting horrorTerrifying haunted and supernatural horror

Lisa, a lone traveler exploring an ancient city, becomes disoriented and seeks refuge in a decaying mansion. There she meets housekeeper Leandre, whose influence pulls her into a web of deception, decadence and supernatural terror as the mansion's dark past surfaces and reality blurs. The narrow corridors echo with whispers, amplifying her dread.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Lisa and the Devil yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!

Timeline & Setting – Lisa and the Devil (1973)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Lisa and the Devil (1973). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Late 1960s

The events occur in a contemporary mid-20th-century setting, with modern cars and travel as part of the plot. The late-1960s milieu is reflected in fashion, vehicles, and a European, stylish atmosphere. Supernatural disturbances intrude on this everyday world, blending thrillers with gothic horror.

Location

Toledo, Spain, Villa estate near Toledo

The story unfolds in Toledo, a historic Spanish city famous for its medieval streets and artistic heritage. It shifts to a secluded villa on a private estate where the group seeks refuge and encounters a chamber of dummies and hidden motives. A final stretch takes the action onto a plane, underscoring a claustrophobic sense of doom that travels with the characters.

🗺️ Toledo 🏰 Villa estate ✈️ Plane

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 15:08

Main Characters – Lisa and the Devil (1973)

Meet the key characters of Lisa and the Devil (1973), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Leandro

A mysterious, manipulative figure who orchestrates the dummy phenomena and bears a devilish likeness to the fresco’s demon. He wields calm charm to bend others to his will, keeping his motives opaque as the night spirals into horror.

🎭 Manipulator

Lisa Reiner

The film’s central protagonist, drawn into a web of visions and danger after a chance encounter with Leandro. She struggles to maintain her sense of self as reality and illusion blur around the mansion and its horrors.

🧭 Protagonist

Contessa

The blind countess who hosts the group at her estate and becomes entangled in Maximilian’s violent schemes. Her aristocratic bearing contrasts with the estate’s dark secrets, until tragedy reveals the depths of her vulnerability.

👑 Aristocracy

Max

Maximilian, the countess’s son, is driven by possessive obsession. His escalating brutality and paranoia fuel the night’s murders, culminating in a fatal self-destructive fall as his world collapses.

🔥 Obsession

George

The chauffeur who becomes entangled with Sophia and is later found murdered in the repaired car. A grounding presence within the estate’s social circle, his death marks a brutal turn in the night’s events.

🚗 Chauffeur

Francis Lehar

Sophia’s husband, whose jealousy and rage contribute to the volatile atmosphere around the villa. His actions intensify the tension and danger among the travelers.

💔 Jealousy

Sophia Lehar

A romantic partner involved with George, whose affair adds to the estate’s web of passion and peril. Her presence amplifies the drama and leads to a violent end.

💘 Affair

Carlo

A man who resembles Leandro’s dummy and seems to return for Elena, only to meet a violent fate. His appearances intensify the sense of danger and the motif of doppelgängers.

🌀 Doppelgänger

Lisa's Friend

A minor presence among the Lehars’ social circle, helping to establish normalcy that the horror gradually disrupts.

👥 Supporting

Shopkeeper

Owner of the shop who hints at the music box’s origin and ties the occult elements to the larger mystery governing the estate.

🧰 Clue

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 15:08

Major Themes – Lisa and the Devil (1973)

Explore the central themes of Lisa and the Devil (1973), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🪞 Dual Identity

Lisa's reality becomes tangled with Elena and Carlos, challenging who she truly is. The doppelgänger motif—dummies, reincarnations, and imagined lovers—suggests identity is unstable and constructed. AsLisa navigates this web, she questions whether people around her see a person or a projection. The film uses reflection and disguise to probe the nature of self.

💀 Death and Decay

Murder and corpse imagery permeate the estate, turning luxury into a chamber of horrors. The villa harbors decayed secrets, from stabbed victims to skeletonized remains, highlighting mortality’s inescapable grip. Violence and the supernatural fuse to create a persistent atmosphere of dread. The ending—with corpses aboard a plane—cements doom as an inescapable condition.

🪄 Illusion vs Reality

Dummies, visions, and hidden rooms distort what is real, forcing Lisa to question each encounter. Leandro and the Countess manipulate situations to steer outcomes, while Elena’s memory haunts the estate. The fresco, shop, and cemetery-like rooms operate as keys to shifting truths. Perception dissolves as fantasy intrudes on waking life.

🔥 Obsession and Power

Maximilian’s possessive love and willingness to murder reveal a corrosive hunger for control. The estate amplifies this drive, turning desire into domination and violence. The Countess’s ambitions compound the danger, culminating in a brutal chain of betrayals. The climax links longing to destruction, leaving ruin in its wake.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 15:08

Mobile App Preview

Coming soon on iOS and Android

The Plot Explained Mobile App

From blockbusters to hidden gems — dive into movie stories anytime, anywhere. Save your favorites, discover plots faster, and never miss a twist again.

Sign up to be the first to know when we launch. Your email stays private — always.

Unlock the Full Story of Lisa and the Devil

Don't stop at just watching — explore Lisa and the Devil in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what Lisa and the Devil is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Lisa and the Devil Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Lisa and the Devil, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

Lisa and the Devil Summary

Lisa and the Devil Timeline

Track the full timeline of Lisa and the Devil with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

Lisa and the Devil Timeline

More About Lisa and the Devil

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Lisa and the Devil: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

More About Lisa and the Devil

Similar Movies to Lisa and the Devil

Discover movies like Lisa and the Devil that share similar genres, themes, and storytelling elements. Whether you’re drawn to the atmosphere, character arcs, or plot structure, these curated recommendations will help you explore more films you’ll love.