Watch The Second Coming of Suzanne

The Second Coming of Suzanne from 1974 is a drama film directed by Michael Barry and starring Sondra Locke, Paul Sand, and Jared Martin. The movie is about Suzanne, a free-spirited young woman who becomes involved with a religious cult led by a charismatic leader named Brother Eulis. Suzanne's brother, Robert, sets out to save her from the group's influence, but his efforts are complicated by his own personal struggles and feelings of isolation.

The film begins with a series of shots of nude bodies, setting the tone for the sexually charged world that Suzanne inhabits. She is living in San Francisco and working at a bar where she meets Brother Eulis, who invites her to attend his group's meetings. Suzanne becomes drawn to the group's teachings, which preach that sex is a holy act and that its members can become divine by achieving sexual transcendence.

As Suzanne becomes more involved with the group, Robert becomes increasingly concerned for her safety. He travels to San Francisco to try and rescue her, but he finds that she is reluctant to leave the group. The film explores the dynamic between the two siblings, as well as the psychological hold that Brother Eulis has over his followers.

The Second Coming of Suzanne is a strongly character-driven film, with a focus on the emotional struggles of its main characters. Sondra Locke gives a compelling performance as Suzanne, capturing the character's free-spirited nature as well as her vulnerability and search for meaning. Paul Sand is effective as Robert, conveying his conflicting emotions of love and frustration towards his sister, as well as his feelings of inadequacy and disillusionment.

One of the film's strengths is its exploration of the cult phenomenon and the appeal it has for some people. Brother Eulis is depicted as a charismatic leader, with a gift for rhetoric and a magnetic personality. His teachings are a mix of pseudo-spiritualism and sexual liberation, promising his followers a chance at enlightenment through sexual means. The film neither glorifies nor demonizes the cult, but rather presents it as a complex social phenomenon.

The film's visual style is also noteworthy, with its use of dreamlike imagery and surreal sequences. The scenes in which Suzanne and Robert confront each other are shot in a highly stylized manner, with intense close-ups and use of color and light to underscore their emotional states. The film also features a number of erotic sequences, shot with a frankness and sensuality that was daring for its time.

Overall, The Second Coming of Suzanne is a thoughtful and thought-provoking film that explores themes of family, identity, and the search for transcendence. Its strong performances and distinctive visual style make it a compelling watch, even more than four decades after its initial release.

The Second Coming of Suzanne is a 1977 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 25 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 4.7.