Jess Franco's "Succubus" aka "Necronomicon" sees a mysterious woman, Lorna, who performs the same nightclub act every night involving sadism and sex, but there's something much more to it. As she's haunted by a past she cannot remember. Her manager/lover tries to help, but her fantasies are becoming a little too real and the countess she portrays in her acts is starting to shine through. Carefree lounging and puffed up dialogues are drowned out by its bizarre surrealism (where it had mannequins creepily coming to life in one sequence), dream-like banality of dazed reputation and a fathomlessly psychedelic narrative. It's one disorienting spell after another, as the drugged-fuelled mystery causally opens up piece by piece going down a devious path. The sensual Janine Reynard simply radiates confidence as Lorna. Nothing stands out quite like her tranquil walk through the town in a blood red gown with the hazy glare of the sun caught by Franco's lenses and an oozing jazz score. Signature Franco. Watching her lose control of reality, as another personality takes over delving into forbidden desires is alluring, yet at the same time it can be macabre in its lashed out violence. Her persona could simply change on a dime. A strong essence of evil and manipulation, where the plot's breezy actions and vague supernatural inclusions bares minor shades to the story of "Faust".
Review of Succubus
