What Is Nasty Habits About?
The premise of Nasty Habits in 290 words, with nothing given away. The full story follows below.
In the heart of Philadelphia lies an unlikely arena of power—a wealthy, centuries‑old abbey where solemn habit meets cut‑throat ambition. As the aging abbess nears the end of her tenure, the cloister becomes a stage for rivalry, gossip, and an uncharacteristically noisy scramble for the top seat. The film leans into a farcical tone, turning the hushed corridors of devotion into a playground for slap‑stick scheming, where reverence and ridiculousness collide in equal measure.
At the center of the contest stands Sister Alexandra, a sharp‑witted nun whose confidence is matched only by her determination to steer the community’s future. Opposite her is Sister Felicity, equally resolute, whose charismatic swagger and unconventional approach make her a formidable challenger. Both women are surrounded by loyal confidantes, each ready to tip the scales in favor of their patron, turning ordinary prayers into covert strategies. The rivalry is less about doctrine and more about the intoxicating allure of authority within a world that rarely makes room for such overt ambition.
The convent’s gilded walls echo with whispered alliances, petty sabotage, and an ever‑rising tide of comedic chaos. Every hallway becomes a battlefield of wits, every communal meal a battlefield of egos, as the two rivals deploy ever more elaborate ploys to outmaneuver each other. The film revels in the juxtaposition of sacred ritual and absurd machination, crafting a lively, breezy atmosphere that feels both reverent and irreverently mischievous.
Against this backdrop, the audience watches a troupe of habit‑clad characters navigate a delicate dance of faith, power, and personal desire. The story invites viewers to wonder how far ambition can stretch before it snaps, all while delivering a riotous, fast‑paced comedy that celebrates both the absurdity and the humanity hidden behind the habit’s solemn veil.
What Happens in Nasty Habits?
The complete story of Nasty Habits, from the first scene to the last, in 451 words (about 2 minutes). Spoilers throughout. Names in the text link to 9 cast member pages.
Spoilers ahead
At the little-known and extremely wealthy Abbey of Philadelphia, the aging Abbess Sister Hildegard is slipping toward death, and her unspoken preference for a successor stirs quiet currents of ambition. She hopes to see her favorite, Sister Alexandra, take the helm, but she dies before she can make any endorsement public. The moment of decision falls to the political inner circle, and Alexandra’s path to power begins to emerge from the shadows of the cloister.
Alexandra quietly teams up with two trusted allies, Sister Gertrude and Sister Walburga, to marshal votes against their rival, Sister Felicity. Felicity is not merely a rival in the election but is also entangled in a public scandal, openly carrying on an affair with a Jesuit priest, Father Thomas. The tension inside the convent escalates as factions mobilize, each side spinning rumors and promises to sway the forthcoming vote.
To safeguard her ascent, Alexandra orders the installation of hidden microphones and cameras throughout the convent. She also hires a pair of Jesuit students, Gregory and Ambrose, to breach Felicity’s private space and seize letters that expose the affair. The break-in is detected, the risk of exposure grows, and the true meaning of the surveillance project remains deliberately obscured. Despite the breach, Alexandra wins the election by a landslide, securing the Abbess’s seat and the authority that comes with it.
Once in power, Alexandra wastes no time in delivering punishment to Felicity, expelling and excommunicating her. Felicity responds with a very public campaign aimed at unseating Alexandra, turning the abbey’s internal strife into a spectacle that draws wider attention. The situation attracts the scrutiny of the Holy See, which uncovers a disconcerting fact: the order is unofficial, lacking formal ties to the Roman Catholic Church. This revelation casts a shadow over the abbey’s legitimacy and intensifies the power struggle within and around the cloister.
Meanwhile, the scheme woven by Gregory and Ambrose backfires in unexpected ways. Their blackmailing of Gertrude and Walburga becomes a source of further trouble, and the two sisters respond with their own countermeasures. In a twist of misfortune, they enlist the bungling Sister Winifred, Sister Winifred, to pay off the would-be blackmailers—only for the entire scandal to spill into the public arena, threatening to unravel the fragile balance of power at the abbey.
Throughout these intertwining plots, the convent becomes a stage for ambition, loyalty, and the exposure that comes from secrets kept too long. The characters move with calculation and bravado, each maneuvering for position in a drama where faith, authority, and personal choice collide. The consequences ripple beyond the walls of the Abbey of Philadelphia, challenging perceptions of legitimacy, morality, and leadership within a setting that fuses reverence with human frailty.
Nasty Habits Timeline: Every Key Event in Order
12 key events in the order they happen, from “Abbess Hildegard dies before publicly endorsing Alexandra” to “Scandal becomes public; the abbey's status is at stake”. 12 events name a place, across 4 locations.
- 1
Abbess Hildegard dies before publicly endorsing Alexandra
The aging Abbess Hildegard dies moments before she can publicly name Alexandra as her successor. The convent is thrown into confusion as the expected endorsement never occurs. With Hildegard gone, the power struggle within the abbey quickly takes center stage.
Where:Abbey of Philadelphia
- 2
Conspiracy forged to win election
Alexandra secretly joins forces with Sisters Gertrude and Walburga to engineer victory over Felicity in the election. They plot how to outmaneuver their rival and secure the leadership for Alexandra. The scheme relies on manipulating perceptions and silencing opposition.
Where:Abbey of Philadelphia
- 3
Felicity's affair with Father Thomas revealed
Sister Felicity is openly involved with Father Thomas, a Jesuit priest, which becomes a focal point in the power struggle. The affair provides political ammunition for Alexandra and her allies. Tensions rise as moral judgments threaten Felicity's position.
Where:Abbey of Philadelphia
- 4
Surveillance installed throughout the convent
Alexandra orders hidden microphones and cameras to monitor everyone within the convent. The surveillance aims to uncover plots against her and to secure the election outcome. A climate of paranoia takes hold as trust erodes among the sisters.
Where:Convent, Abbey of Philadelphia
- 5
Gregory and Ambrose hired to steal letters
Alexandra hires two Jesuit students, Gregory and Ambrose, to break into Felicity's sewing box and steal Father Thomas's compromising letters. The operation demonstrates the lengths to which Alexandra will go to neutralize Felicity. The heist sets the stage for further exposure and intrigue.
Where:Convent, Abbey of Philadelphia
- 6
Break-in is discovered; hidden meaning remains
The break-in is discovered, but the true intent behind the theft remains obscured. The revelation is enough to alarm some, yet the election outcome remains unaffected as Alexandra's supporters close ranks. The incident deepens the sense that the convent operates under a veil of secrets.
Where:Convent
- 7
Alexandra wins the election by a landslide
The election results come in and Alexandra wins by a landslide, securing her position as Abbess. Her ascent is celebrated by allies and resented by rivals who fear the consequences. The abbey begins a new era under her leadership.
Where:Abbey of Philadelphia
- 8
Felicity expelled and excommunicated
Once named Abbess, Alexandra expels and excommunicates Felicity, removing her from the order. Felicity counters by launching a very public campaign to topple Alexandra. The schism creates a public-relations crisis for the abbey.
Where:Abbey of Philadelphia
- 9
Holy See discovers unofficial status of the order
The abbey's notoriety attracts the Holy See's attention, which discovers that the order is unofficial with no formal ties to the Roman Catholic Church. The revelation challenges Alexandra's legitimacy and invites external scrutiny. Internal discipline collides with external governance.
Where:The Holy See (Rome)
- 10
Gregory and Ambrose blackmail Gertrude and Walburga
Gregory and Ambrose use their position to blackmail Gertrude and Walburga, coercing them into compliance. The leverage compounds the factional infighting and threatens to unravel the conspiracy. The sisters are drawn deeper into a dangerous game of power and secrets.
Where:Convent, Abbey of Philadelphia
- 11
Gertrude and Walburga hire Sister Winifred to pay off the blackmailers
Gertrude and Walburga respond by sending Sister Winifred to offer payment to the blackmailers, attempting to quell the coercion. The bungling sister's efforts only magnify the scandal and invite further exposure. The plan backfires as the web of deceit becomes public knowledge.
Where:Convent
- 12
Scandal becomes public; the abbey's status is at stake
The failed payoff and ongoing power struggle push the scandal into the public eye. The Holy See's impending judgment intensifies the pressure on Alexandra and the abbey. The order's unofficial status is exposed, threatening its very future.
Where:Abbey of Philadelphia
Who Are the Main Characters in Nasty Habits?
14 characters, among them Sister Alexandra (Glenda Jackson), Sister Hildegard (Edith Evans) and Sister Gertrude (Melina Mercouri): who each one is and the part they play in the story. Every profile links to the actor’s page.
- SA
Sister Alexandra (Glenda Jackson)
Played by Glenda Jackson
A shrewd and calculating rival within the abbey, she orchestrates the bid for Abbess with ruthless pragmatism. She orders hidden microphones and cameras inside the convent to gather leverage. Her landslide election victory reveals a willingness to sacrifice transparency for control. After becoming abbess, she exiles Felicity and moves to consolidate power.
- 👑 Ambition
- 🗳️ Political intrigue
- 🔒 Control
- SH
Sister Hildegard (Edith Evans)
Played by Edith Evans
The dying Abbess whose illness frames the opening power plays; she quietly favors Alexandra, setting the stage for the contest. Her death before an official endorsement triggers the scramble for leadership. Her passing reveals the fragility of spiritual authority in a power-driven environment.
- ⚖️ Authority
- 🕊️ Religion
- 🕯️ Mortality
- SG
Sister Gertrude (Melina Mercouri)
Played by Melina Mercouri
A conspirator in the leadership plot, she becomes entangled as Gregory and Ambrose threaten to expose secrets. She collaborates with Walburga to sustain the bid for control while navigating the pressure of blackmail. Her position illustrates how alliances endure under stress and manipulation.
- 🎭 Manipulation
- 🤝 Alliance
- 🔒 Secrecy
-
Sister Walburga (Geraldine Page)
Played by Geraldine Page
A key conspirator who helps coordinate the plan and response to threats; she becomes involved in paying off the blackmailers after the break-in. Her role shows the pragmatic side of scheming within the convent and the willingness to shield the plot at any cost.
- 🎭 Collaboration
- 💼 Political maneuvering
- 🔒 Secrecy
- SF
Sister Felicity (Susan Penhaligon)
Played by Susan Penhaligon
Rival to Alexandra, she openly carries on an affair with a Jesuit priest and becomes a focal point in the struggle for power. Her excommunication sparks a public campaign to topple Alexandra, pulling the abbey into a wider scrutiny. Her opposition tests the limits of loyalty and public image.
- 💔 Romance
- 🗳️ Opposition
- ⚖️ Conflict
-
Sister Winifred (Sandy Dennis)
Played by Sandy Dennis
A bungling, well-meaning sister caught in the machinery of the scheme; she is sent to settle the debts but mishandles the arrangement. Her blundering action accelerates the exposure of the scandal and heightens the abbey's precarious position.
- 🤦♀️ Blunder
- 🕵️♀️ Incompetence
- 💬 Miscommunication
- T(
Thomas (Anthony Forrest)
Played by Anthony Forrest
A Jesuit priest whose relationship with Felicity becomes a focal point of the plot; the compromising letters add fuel to the fire. His presence highlights the clash between personal feelings and religious duties within the convent.
- 💘 Romance
- 🔎 Secrets
- ⚖️ Morality
- G(
Gregory (Christopher Muncke)
Played by Christopher Muncke
A young Jesuit student hired to break in and steal Felicity's letters; he collaborates with Ambrose to pressure the conspirators. His actions reveal how careful planning and audacious risks can destabilize a closed community.
- 🕵️♂️ Heist
- 🔓 Secrets
- 🗳️ Manipulation
- A(
Ambrose (Harry Ditson)
Played by Harry Ditson
Gregory's partner in the break-in and the blackmail scheme; his role underscores the collaborative nature of the plot and the leverage dynamics at play. He helps drive the conspiracy forward, even as the plan threatens to spiral out of control.
- 🕵️♂️ Heist
- 🔓 Secrets
- 💼 Conspiracy
-
Monsignor (Eli Wallach)
Played by Eli Wallach
A church official who becomes involved as the Holy See scrutinizes the abbey’s true status. His presence signals the tension between ecclesiastical authority and the abbey's internal politics.
- 👑 Authority
- 🕊️ Religion
- ⚖️ Oversight
-
Father Maximilian (Rip Torn)
Played by Rip Torn
A Jesuit priest whose presence heightens the moral complexity of the abbey’s environment. His role underscores the tension between personal desire and clerical duty within a scrutinized religious community.
- 🙏 Religion
- ⚖️ Morality
- 🧭 Intrigue
- A(
Abbot (Alick Hayes)
Played by Alick Hayes
The elderly leader of the monks whose position frames the power structure within the convent. His role anchors the hierarchy that the conspirators seek to alter.
- 🧭 Leadership
- ⚖️ Authority
- 🙏 Religion
- SM
Sister Mildred (Anne Jackson)
Played by Anne Jackson
A peripheral figure among the sisters; her presence adds to the sense of a large, intertwined community where many hopes and secrets coexist.
- 👀 Community
- 🗣️ Gossip
- B(
Bathildis (Suzanne Stone)
Played by Suzanne Stone
Another nun whose presence contributes to the atmosphere of a cloistered, politically charged environment. She embodies the many voices within the convent that observe the unfolding drama.
- 🕊️ Religion
- 🌫️ Secrecy
Where and When Is Nasty Habits Set?
Nasty Habits is set in Abbey of Philadelphia. Here is why the place matters to the story.
Where
Abbey of Philadelphia
Set within the little-known and extremely wealthy Abbey of Philadelphia, the convent is a lavish, insular world. Its wealth and isolation create an environment where political maneuvering can flourish away from outside scrutiny. The abbey's unofficial status adds a layer of secrecy to its halls, attracting attention from higher authorities.
- 🏰 Wealthy
- 🕊️ Monastic
- 📍 Secluded
What Are the Themes of Nasty Habits?
4 ideas the story keeps returning to, among them Power Politics, Secrecy and Religious Integrity.
-
01
Power Politics
Power politics drive the leadership contest within the abbey as rival factions maneuver for control. Sister Alexandra, backed by Gertrude and Walburga, edges out Sister Felicity through calculated moves and surveillance. The landslide victory exposes how institutional influence can override spiritual ideals. Personal vendettas collide with organizational power, shaping the abbey's future.
-
02
Secrecy
Hidden microphones and cameras turn private lives into public spectacle within the convent. Gregory and Ambrose break in to steal Felicity's letters, using the information they uncover to pressure others. The cover-up unravels when the truth surfaces, revealing how secrecy sustains power. Winifred's bungling exacerbates the exposure, dragging the plot into the light.
-
03
Religious Integrity
The Holy See's involvement hinges on whether the order remains sincerely tied to Rome or operates as an unofficial enclave. The abbey's independence becomes a focal point of conflict, testing loyalties and pieties. The scrutiny threatens to strip the convent of its status and legitimacy. Morality, devotion, and institutional politics collide in these tensions.
-
04
Blackmail
Gregory and Ambrose use stolen letters to coerce Gertrude and Walburga, exposing vulnerabilities within the leadership. The blackmail scheme sharpens rivalries and accelerates the abbey's unraveling. Felicity's downfall and Felicity's supporters' reactions show how leverage can destabilize even strong factions. The scandal spirals as secrets become weapons.
What Kind of Film Is Nasty Habits?
Light in tone, with fast pacing and a moderate story, going by the plot summary.
- Tone
- Light
- Pacing
- Fast
- Story
- Moderate
- Intensity
- Medium
- Ending
- Mixed
A fast-paced, satirical comedy that revels in the absurd chaos of a convent power struggle, feeling like a slapstick farce with a cynical undercurrent.
- satirical
- chaotic
- scheming
- absurd
- irreverent
- cynical
- power struggle
- political satire
- institutional corruption
- ambition
Content notes: blackmail, institutional fraud.
Quiz
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