: Yuri Arabov, known for his long-standing collaboration with director Alexander Sokurov, provides a script that is both intellectually dense and accessible as a folk tale.
: The film currently holds a 6.8/10 on IMDb based on user reviews. Monakh i bes (2016)
Set in the first half of the 19th century, the film follows , a new inhabitant of a rural Russian monastery. Ivan's arrival coincides with a series of inexplicable miracles and odd occurrences that both fascinate and trouble the local clergy. It is soon revealed that Ivan is being haunted and manipulated by a "demon" named Legion , who has chosen the monk as his target for temptation. : Yuri Arabov, known for his long-standing collaboration
: The film highlights the contrast between Ivan’s genuine, often messy faith and the rigid, power-hungry hierarchy of the monastery and the Russian state. Ivan's arrival coincides with a series of inexplicable
However, as Legion attempts to break Ivan's spirit through various tricks—including a miraculous journey to the Holy Land—the relationship between the two takes an unexpected turn. The demon's attempts to corrupt the monk are met with a stubborn, simple faith that begins to have a curious effect on the tempter himself.
: Unlike traditional depictions of demons as purely horrific, Legion is portrayed with a human-like petulance and vulnerability, making the "battle for a soul" feel more like a complex, tragicomic dialogue.
: Critics have noted its ability to switch seamlessly between slapstick comedy and profound theological meditation. Film Profile Director Nikolai Dostal Release Year Runtime Genre Comedy, Drama, Fantasy Notable Cast Timofey Tribuntsev (Ivan), Georgiy Fetisov (Legion) XXI: My favorite Russian movies - IMDb 37. Monakh i bes * 2016. * 1h 54m. * Not Rated. The Name of the Rose and similar movies and shows - IMDb
