Movie spotlight
The Virgin Sacrifice
“Before ‘Virgin’, I never put much stock in the idea of a ‘cursed’ production. Take a film like ‘Incubus’. Just cause the director’s nephew died, the production company went belly up, and Roman Polanski and Sharon Tate attended the premiere....Those could all just be coincidences. Shit happens. But with ‘Virgin’, you could just smell the vapor of evil clouding the set. It didn’t help that our chief investor was a ranking member of the Church of Satan. In the end, we tallied three OD’s, a maimed-for-life set designer, bankruptcy, and a car bombing (sort of). Even the film itself disappeared. Not just the prints. The film lab burnt down and we lost the negative. All I’ve got left is the nine minute opening to the main feature and the sound-sync is fucked.” —JXW
Insights
Plot Summary
A young woman travels to New York City seeking a new life, but instead finds herself entangled in a series of disturbing events. She becomes the target of a mysterious stalker who seems to be orchestrating her downfall. As her reality unravels, she must uncover the truth before she becomes the next victim.
Critical Reception
The Virgin Sacrifice is a lesser-known horror film that has gained a cult following over the years for its atmospheric dread and unsettling themes. While not widely reviewed upon its release, later critical assessments often point to its exploitative nature and limited narrative coherence, though some praise its raw, disturbing energy.
What Reviewers Say
Praised for its gritty, underground aesthetic and disturbing atmosphere.
Criticized for its convoluted plot and gratuitous violence.
Seen as an early example of Lommel's distinctive, often unsettling, directorial style.
Google audience: Audience reception is largely niche, with some appreciating its cult status and raw, experimental feel, while others find it difficult to follow and excessively grim.
Fun Fact
Christa Helm, who plays the lead role, also wrote the screenplay for the film.
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