The action is set in the 16th century at the convent of Sant Arcangelo, near Naples, then under Spanish rule.

The story involves the power struggles and sexual intrigues of a group of good-looking nuns at the Sant Arcangelo Convent and in particular the machinations of Sister Julia (played by former Miss Great Britain Anne Heywood) as she attempts, by any means possible, to succeed to the position of the dying Mother Superior.

The nuns struggle with their vows of celibacy, some inclining to lesbianism whilst others invite male lovers secretly into their cells.

The production obtained permission to shoot the scenes in a real convent (Fossanova Abbey in Priverno, Latina, Italy) by withholding details of the plot.

[1] The electro-industrial band My Life with the Thrill Kill Kult has sampled the English-language dub of the film extensively in songs such as "And This Is What the Devil Does" and "Kooler Than Jesus".