The Holy Girl

The Holy Girl, as a drama, elicits a complex array of emotional responses. Sadness and Melancholy are prominent, reflecting the film's subdued atmosphere, the characters' unfulfilled longings, and the pervasive family dysfunction. Viewers feel strong Empathy for Helena's brittle existence and Amalia's confusing journey through adolescence, faith, and burgeoning sexuality. A significant sense of Anxiety and Anticipation builds as the plot hints at an impending collision of "longing, guilt, and scandal." The film's exploration of Amalia's "vocation" and the incident with Dr. Jano contributes to a Disturbing and unsettling emotional experience, often coupled with Guilt (especially for Jano's actions) and Disgust. Confusion arises from the characters' ambiguous motivations and the film's nuanced portrayal of their internal struggles.