The Little Devil
The Little Devil (Italian: Il piccolo diavolo) is a 1988 Italian comedy-fantasy film written, directed by, and starring Roberto Benigni.[1] The story centers on Father Maurice, an American priest portrayed by Walter Matthau, who performs an exorcism on a possessed woman in Rome and encounters Giuditta, a scrawny and wisecracking demon played by Benigni, who defies orders to return to hell and instead disrupts the priest's orderly life while exploring the human world.[2] Co-starring Nicoletta Braschi as a love interest and Stefania Sandrelli in a supporting role, the film blends surreal humor with themes of temptation and redemption, marking one of Benigni's early directorial efforts before his international breakthrough.[3] Released on October 20, 1988, in Italy, The Little Devil runs for 101 minutes.[1] Benigni collaborated with screenwriter Vincenzo Cerami on the script, drawing from influences like Jim Jarmusch's style—evident in the casting of John Lurie in a minor role—and creating a narrative that contrasts the devil's chaotic energy with the priest's rigid piety.[1] An English-dubbed version, with the lead actors providing their own voices, was later distributed on VHS in Europe and Australia, broadening its reach beyond Italian audiences.[3] Critically, the film has been appreciated for the comedic chemistry between Benigni and Matthau, earning an audience score of 82% on Rotten Tomatoes based on over 1,000 ratings (as of November 2025), though it lacks a formal Tomatometer due to limited U.S. distribution.[2] On IMDb, it holds a 6.9/10 rating from approximately 4,400 users (as of November 2025), with praise for its irreverent take on religious tropes and Benigni's energetic performance.[1] The Little Devil remains a cult favorite in Italian cinema for showcasing Benigni's signature blend of slapstick and philosophical whimsy.[2]Synopsis and cast
Plot
Father Maurizio, an American priest residing at the Pontifical College in Rome and grappling with his forbidden romantic feelings for a woman, is summoned to perform an exorcism on a possessed elderly hairdresser named Giuditta. During the intense ritual, he successfully expels the demon, which materializes as a mischievous, childlike little devil—also named Giuditta—who refuses to return to hell and instead becomes fascinated by human life on Earth.[4][5] Having nowhere else to go, the devil attaches itself to Maurizio, following him relentlessly and disrupting his devout routine with impulsive antics driven by its naive curiosity about the world. Maurizio, torn between his priestly vows and the temptations arising from these chaotic experiences, attempts to conceal the devil's presence by introducing it as a relative, but it causes escalating mayhem during their adventures across Rome, including encounters with a hotel maid, a skeptical psychiatrist evaluating Maurizio's sanity, and a stern cardinal overseeing the college.[6][7] The duo's escapades intensify during a wild night out, where the devil drags Maurizio to a strip club, sparking a frantic chase through the bustling streets of Rome as they evade authorities and onlookers. Giuditta's playful disruptions highlight Maurizio's internal conflict, forcing him to confront desires he has long suppressed, while the devil revels in simple pleasures like train rides and fleeting romances.[4] The mischief reaches a climax when another demon, disguised as an alluring woman named Nina, arrives to lure Giuditta back to hell, exploiting its infatuation to complete the retrieval. In the end, Giuditta departs with Nina, granting Maurizio much-needed relief from the ordeal and allowing him to resume his clerical life, albeit forever changed by the encounter.[5][6]Cast
The principal cast of The Little Devil (original title: Il piccolo diavolo) features a mix of Italian and international talent, led by Roberto Benigni in a triple role as director, co-writer, and lead actor.[1] Benigni portrays Giuditta, a scrawny, arrogant, and wisecracking demon who is exorcised from a possessed woman but refuses to return to hell, instead embarking on a chaotic exploration of the human world.[2] Walter Matthau plays Father Maurice (Padre Maurizio), a cynical American priest residing in a Roman seminary who specializes in exorcisms and becomes reluctantly entangled with the demon.[1] Matthau's character speaks English in the film, contributing to its bilingual structure aimed at broadening international appeal.[2] Stefania Sandrelli as Patrizia, the woman with whom Father Maurice harbors forbidden romantic feelings. Nicoletta Braschi, Benigni's real-life partner during production, plays Nina, a young woman who becomes the object of Giuditta's affections and serves as a romantic foil in the narrative.[1] John Lurie appears as Cusatelli, an American associate who interacts with Father Maurice in key scenes.[8]| Actor | Role | Character Description |
|---|---|---|
| Roberto Benigni | Giuditta | Mischievous little devil, exorcised demon who craves earthly experiences |
| Walter Matthau | Father Maurice | American exorcist priest in Rome |
| Stefania Sandrelli | Patrizia | Father Maurice's forbidden love interest |
| Nicoletta Braschi | Nina | Alluring woman sent to retrieve the demon, object of Giuditta's affections |
| John Lurie | Cusatelli | American contact involved in the priest's affairs |