Monakh I Bes (2016) -

: Drawing on Russian literary traditions (such as the works of Nikolai Gogol), the film uses absurdist humor to explore deep moral questions. Production & Reception

: 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. 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. : Drawing on Russian literary traditions (such as

: 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. Ivan's arrival coincides with a series of inexplicable

: 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.

: The film currently holds a 6.8/10 on IMDb based on user reviews.

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.