Beauty, Horror, and the Hunger Within
Succubus (2024) is a sleek, seductive, and chilling descent into supernatural horror. Directed by Ava Lorenz (fictional), this modern take on the ancient myth blends psychological terror with body horror, exploring the dark intersections of desire, trauma, and demonic possession.
Set in a neon-drenched, unnamed European city, the film follows Claire, a struggling painter plagued by nightmares and erotic visions after a one-night stand with a mysterious woman. As her art grows more disturbing and her health declines, she begins to uncover that she’s been marked—chosen by a being who feeds not on flesh, but on the soul through seduction.
The succubus, portrayed hauntingly by French actress Juliette Merle (fictional), is not just a demon in the traditional sense, but a symbol of repressed trauma and destructive longing. Unlike typical horror antagonists, she doesn’t hide in the shadows—she whispers from them, offering Claire love, inspiration, and power in exchange for control.
What makes Succubus stand out is its focus on psychological unraveling. Claire begins to question what’s real, losing time, hallucinating visions of past lovers, and seeing monstrous reflections in mirrors. The film’s pacing is deliberately disorienting, mirroring her descent into madness or possession—or both. It’s never fully clear if the succubus is a real entity or a manifestation of Claire’s fractured psyche, which keeps tension high throughout.
Visually, the film is stunning: vivid reds and deep blacks dominate the palette, with sensual, surreal imagery that recalls Black Swan and Possession (1981). The body horror sequences—subtle at first, then horrifyingly graphic—escalate with the story’s emotional intensity.
Succubus ultimately asks uncomfortable questions about autonomy, consent, and the cost of desire. It’s a feminist horror in disguise, portraying not just a woman hunted by evil, but one consumed by the power she secretly craves.
While it may not appeal to casual horror fans, Succubus (2024) is a bold, disturbing work of arthouse terror that lingers like a fever dream—and bites like a curse.
