Succubus (2024), directed by Serik Beyseu, is a twisted, sensual journey that blends elements of horror, fantasy, and psychological drama. With a dark, gothic atmosphere and a plot that teeters on the edge of nightmare and desire, the film delivers a chilling experience that leaves you both disturbed and mesmerized.
The story follows Emily Dawson (Alicia Valdez), a woman haunted by strange dreams and sexual visions after moving into a mysterious old mansion. As Emily’s grip on reality begins to unravel, she encounters a seductive and terrifying creature—the succubus, played with eerie allure by Seraphina Drake. The succubus, an ancient demon feeding on sexual energy, lures Emily deeper into a spiral of madness, blurring the lines between pleasure and pain, life and death.
What Succubus excels at is creating a mood. The cinematography is visually rich, drenched in deep reds and shadowy blacks that evoke both sensuality and terror. Each scene feels like a fever dream, with unsettling camera angles and haunting sound design that make the mansion feel alive, as if it’s breathing alongside Emily’s increasing desperation. The imagery is frequently erotic yet grotesque, forcing the viewer into the same uncomfortable yet irresistible trance that ensnares Emily.
Drake’s performance as the titular succubus is hypnotic. She embodies the perfect blend of temptation and malevolence, capturing the duality of a creature who is as much a symbol of desire as she is a harbinger of doom. Her interactions with Valdez’s Emily are charged with tension, as Emily’s obsession with the succubus grows, leading to a series of increasingly surreal and violent encounters.
The film's pacing is deliberately slow, allowing the dread to build, but it may be too sluggish for some viewers, especially in the first act. There’s a sense that Succubus is more interested in its atmosphere and psychological exploration than in delivering traditional scares. This isn’t your typical jump-scare horror; instead, it’s a slow-burn, psychological descent into the darkest corners of the human psyche, where fear and desire are intertwined.
However, where Succubus falters is in its narrative coherence. The plot becomes so entangled in its dreamlike structure that, by the third act, it’s difficult to discern what’s real and what’s imagined—though this may be intentional, given the film’s themes of identity dissolution and obsession. Still, some viewers may find the lack of clear resolution frustrating, as the film leaves many questions unanswered.
Overall, Succubus is a daring horror film that’s more about mood and psychological unease than straightforward storytelling. It’s unsettling, provocative, and visually stunning, making it a unique entry in the horror genre for those who appreciate dark, cerebral cinema. While not for everyone, it’s a haunting experience that lingers long after the credits roll.
Succubus (2024) - info
- Release date: September 24, 2024
- Genre: Horror
- Director: Serik Beyseu
- Writer: Oleg Kurochkin, Dmitriy Zhigalov
- Stars: Polina Vorobyova, Angelina Pahomova, Nino Ninidze.