Ring of Darkness

I recently watched the Italian film 🇮🇹 Satan's Wife (1979) on Tubi. The storyline follows a group of young women involved in a cult. Years later, one of them has a daughter who seems to possess unique powers and a connection to Satan. As the child grows more ruthless, the mother realizes she may be the only one who can stop her.

This film is written and directed by Pier Carpi (Povero Cristo) and stars Anne Heywood (The Fox), Valentina Cortese (The Barefoot Contessa), Frank Finlay (Lifeforce), and John Phillip Law (Barbarella).

The movie is hit or miss. The cult scenes, opening séance, and the blend of dance and nudity in the ritual sequences are intriguing. However, the child acting is just okay. After the opening, the horror elements are minimal, relying mostly on eerie shots of the child committing heinous acts, which isn't enough to carry the film. The cinematography feels dated and is serviceable at best. The ending is also awkward, as certain scenes with the child feel unsettling in a way that doesn't entirely work.

In conclusion, Satan's Wife is worth watching only if you're looking for something different, but it doesn't stand out in the genre. I'd score it a 5/10.