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.
: 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. Monakh i bes (2016)
: 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. Set in the first half of the 19th