Monk Business From Vincent Cassel

Check out the trailer for Le Moine

Monk Business From Vincent Cassel

by Owen Williams |
Published on

This has admittedly been online for a while, but if it's passed you by so far, and with its French release imminent, we thought we'd draw your attention to this trailer for The Monk, starring Vincent Cassel and directed by Dominik Moll. There's a poster too.

It's classy-looking stuff from the writer/director of Harry, He's Here To Help and Lemming, and if the lack of subtitles leaves you scratching your head, you should at least be able to glean some of what you need to know from the fact that it's based on the infamous Gothic novel by Matthew Lewis.*

In the book, written in the 18th century when its author was just 20, Cassel's character is Ambrosio, who starts on a tragic downward spiral when he's seduced by a woman who he thinks is another monk. Cue black magic, murder, rape, satanism, the Spanish Inquisition and being thrown into dark pits, with some infuriating digressions thrown in for good measure.

It's total madness, and it's unclear how much of that has made it to the screen, since the trailer plays up the supernatural mystery elements. But we're always desperate for more Cassel, and we're very much liking that Name of the Rose vibe.

Le Moine has already been out in Spain, and gets its French release next week (this trailer is currently playing in French theatres). There's no word of it making its way to the UK so far, but here's hoping it's sooner rather than later.

*No, not the guy that plays Neville Longbottom.

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