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Succubus
Jesús Franco, one of the most prolific and misunderstood filmmakers to ever touch cinema. A natural voyeur, compulsive, voracious, endlessly filming. His zoom lens dragged audiences remorselessly into either their greatest fantasies or worst nightmares.
While the Honorary Goya Award Franco received in 2009 from the Academy of Cinematographic Arts and Sciences of Spain—four years before his death—goes some way towards an endorsement, it is inarguably the continued, incisive commentary from devoted critics that has seen his reputation reappraised. Tim Lucas, one of of the very best writers on film, has always been a guiding voice in the appreciation of Franco, never more illuminatingly so than here.
Let the club lights dim, the spotlight pop and the dream (if, indeed, it is one) begin...
"I don't think I have a definitive film. Such a thing is not possible for me.”
—Jesús Franco
And yet, in SUCCUBUS (AKA NECRONOMICON) we find many of his essential obsessions: a nightclub performer, mind control, sadism, nightmares, sex…
“Many will see Necronomicon as just a sex and horror film,” claimed the Variety review, "others might see more.”
Indeed, much more...
While the Honorary Goya Award Franco received in 2009 from the Academy of Cinematographic Arts and Sciences of Spain—four years before his death—goes some way towards an endorsement, it is inarguably the continued, incisive commentary from devoted critics that has seen his reputation reappraised. Tim Lucas, one of of the very best writers on film, has always been a guiding voice in the appreciation of Franco, never more illuminatingly so than here.
Let the club lights dim, the spotlight pop and the dream (if, indeed, it is one) begin...
"I don't think I have a definitive film. Such a thing is not possible for me.”
—Jesús Franco
And yet, in SUCCUBUS (AKA NECRONOMICON) we find many of his essential obsessions: a nightclub performer, mind control, sadism, nightmares, sex…
“Many will see Necronomicon as just a sex and horror film,” claimed the Variety review, "others might see more.”
Indeed, much more...
220 pages, Hardcover
Published March 1, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
September 5, 2025
Lucas, Tim - Succubus (Necronomicon)
It is not Franco’s most important film, nor his best, nor the most accessible.
Nevertheless, it is the transition film, the pivot.
Where he was given carte blanche, meaning a pile of money, to make whatever kind of film he wanted.
Never before, and never again, would Jess Franco be handed so much artistic freedom.
Writer and film historian Lucas takes a deep, deep dive into a singular film.
Comparing and contrasting the two different versions, French and American.
And no, the dubbed version is not the lamentable ripoff.
An experienced soul, steeped in culture, fashioned the US dub.
For fans of this director, this is key to understanding a moment in his career where doors opened.
For those who do not know Jess Franco, or dismiss him as a porn hack, this is not the for you book.
Packed with photos and footnotes, a great addition to one’s cinema library.
γνῶθι σεαυτόν
It is not Franco’s most important film, nor his best, nor the most accessible.
Nevertheless, it is the transition film, the pivot.
Where he was given carte blanche, meaning a pile of money, to make whatever kind of film he wanted.
Never before, and never again, would Jess Franco be handed so much artistic freedom.
Writer and film historian Lucas takes a deep, deep dive into a singular film.
Comparing and contrasting the two different versions, French and American.
And no, the dubbed version is not the lamentable ripoff.
An experienced soul, steeped in culture, fashioned the US dub.
For fans of this director, this is key to understanding a moment in his career where doors opened.
For those who do not know Jess Franco, or dismiss him as a porn hack, this is not the for you book.
Packed with photos and footnotes, a great addition to one’s cinema library.
γνῶθι σεαυτόν
November 24, 2025
A very thoughtful, deeply analytical look at a key Jess Franco film. For me, the ultimate test of books like these is the simple question "Did it make me look at the film differently" and the answer here is a resounding yes
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews