The Little Devil (1988) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Giuditta is described as an escaped little devil who refuses to return to wherever demons come from. After Father Maurice successfully performs the exorcism, Giuditta simply chooses not to leave, attaching herself to Maurice as a form of entertainment or rebellion. The demon seems to find the priest's reactions amusing and decides to remain in the mortal world rather than going back to her original realm.

• giuditta demon
• exorcism
• stays after exorcism
• little devil

During Mass, Giuditta takes advantage of Maurice's weakened state and physically replaces him at the altar. Rather than conducting a solemn liturgy, she turns the ceremony into what witnesses describe as a fashion parade, using the sacred setting for comedic spectacle. This act represents the peak of her mischievous disruption, deliberately undermining Maurice's authority and the solemnity of his duties.

• mass fashion parade
• giuditta mass
• priest replaced

Maurice's colleagues notice that he has become physically and spiritually exhausted from dealing with Giuditta's constant mischief. The demon's disruption has worn him down over time, affecting his ability to perform his duties effectively. His peers genuinely concern his worsening condition and believe distance from the supernatural harassment might help him recover his balance and perspective.

• priest exhaustion
• vacation
• colleagues concern
• weariness

The agent is described as a being connected to Giuditta's own realm - another supernatural entity from the same place the demon originated. This handler seems to have authority over Giuditta and appears specifically to manage the situation. The agent succeeds where Maurice failed by actually commanding Giuditta's attention and redirecting her elsewhere.

• supernatural agent
• giuditta handler
• demon manager

Giuditta leaves because the agent from her realm arrives and successfully redirects her attention. Rather than continuing to torment Maurice, she chooses to follow this new handler and pursue whatever path the agent represents. The departure is presented as her choosing to go elsewhere rather than being forcibly removed, suggesting some agency in her decision to move on.

• giuditta leaves
• demon departure
• end of haunting

Maurice faces a fundamental conflict between his priestly vows and his personal feelings. Patrizia loves him and keeps pressing him to choose between his vocation and a romantic future with her. Maurice wrestles with where his heart truly belongs, unable to make a clear decision about whether to remain committed to the priesthood or pursue a secular life with Patrizia.

• patrizia love
• maurice conflict
• priest temptation
• vocation vs love

Giuditta's constant presence disrupts Maurice's routines through playful but troublesome interference. She follows him everywhere, watching his every move and using mischief to throw him off balance. Some actions are innocent in nature, yet still create problems with his colleagues and parishioners, blurring the line between harmless pranks and genuine disruption.

• demon mischief
• daily disruption
• priest troubled

The agent appears to be on a mission related to Giuditta's management, likely sent from the demon's realm to retrieve or redirect her. The agent's approach successfully draws Giuditta's attention away from Maurice, suggesting the agent has some form of authority or appeal that makes the demon willing to follow rather than continue her current path of mischief.

• supernatural mission
• demon retrieval
• agent purpose

A novice urgently summons Father Maurice because an overweight woman has become possessed by a demon. The situation requires immediate attention from someone with the authority and ability to perform an exorcism rite. This urgent crisis pulls Maurice away from his personal turmoil with Patrizia and launches him into the supernatural challenge that defines the rest of the film.

• exorcism emergency
• possessed woman
• urgent summon

Maurice's standard methods of dealing with demons fail because Giuditta is not a typical malicious entity. She is a playful, whimsical devil who seems immune to traditional exorcism techniques once she has chosen to stay. His religious authority and rituals have no effect on her determination to remain, forcing Maurice to endure rather than overcome her presence.

• exorcism fails
• cannot remove demon
• priest helpless