Director Paolo Strippoli, known for works like The Holy Boy and A Classic Horror Story, delivered a campy yet thrilling experience with The Spiral. The narrative centers on Anna, portrayed by Jasmine Trinca (Saint Laurent, The Caiman), a controlling mother who enters into a pact with the devil to save her daughter, Alice (Romana Maggiora Vergano), following a horrific accident. This agreement, however, unleashes a torrent of macabre events that threaten to dismantle her family, including her wealthy businessman husband Walter (Adriano Giannini) and son Tobia (Andrea Genovese). Valeria Bruni Tedeschi delivers a particularly memorable performance as the trench coat-wearing, chain-smoking embodiment of evil.

While the twisty, Grand Guignol-esque genre film, boasting numerous over-the-top performances, might be considered an outsider for the coveted Golden Lion, its appeal to the Venice audience was undeniable. The director and cast actively encouraged the sustained applause, pushing the ovation past the nine-minute mark. In a festival often characterized by its serious fare, The Spiral emerged as a refreshing and welcome change of pace.

The film is now set to head to the Toronto International Film Festival, where it will screen in the popular Midnight Madness section. International sales are being handled by Le Pacte, with hopes for strong prospects, including potential remake rights given its high-concept premise. Italian audiences can look forward to its release in theaters on October 8, distributed by 01 Distribution. Whether its infectious energy will sway the Venice jury, headed by The Bride! director Maggie Gyllenhaal, remains to be seen.