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Redemption in Alejandro Jodorowsky’s Santa Sangre (1989)
Sumptuous composition and brilliant performances compromised by a touch of toxic masculinity
Trigger Warnings: Strong themes including childhood trauma, violence against women, drugs and graphic sexuality. Reader discretion is advised.
Santa Sangre is a slasher, horror-film dressed up as something bigger through the committed performances of its cast and the expertise of Alejandro Jodorowsky. The power of the Santa Sangre’s frames and the promise of its message of redemption combine to give even the most hopeless reprobate hope to live out what remains of their lives.
The idea for the film began with screenwriter Roberto Leoni, who developed a story about dissociative identity disorder while working in a psychiatric hospital. Leoni partnered with Claudio Argento, an Italian film producer and screenwriter, best known for his work in the “giallo” genres — a highly stylized Italian murder-mystery film subgenre that emerged in the 1960s, blending elements of horror, thriller, crime, and eroticism. They identified Alejandro Jodorowksy as the most suitable director for their project.
Jodorowsky, at this point in his career, was nursing his wounds after the failure of his famed Dune adaptation project. He had dabbled…
