Ingmar Bergman made his screenwriting debut with this tale of sex, passion, and (possibly) murder. The disturbing story of a young student, his sadistic teacher, and the girl they both love, Torment is a beautifully observed and incisive psychological drama, structured as a bleak, sordid thriller. One of the most popular Swedish films of its time, it brought international recognition to actress Mai Zetterling, whose role as the young prostitute Berthe she always regarded as her best.