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The Reckoning

Play trailer Poster for The Reckoning R 2003 1h 50m Mystery & Thriller Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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38% Tomatometer 86 Reviews 56% Popcornmeter 2,500+ Ratings
England 14th century. Plague and attacks threaten remote communities and the forests that surround them add nameless terrors. The people labor under the yoke of two oppressive powers -- the Church laying claim to their souls and the Knights, the feudal warlords, who command life or death. Nicholas (Paul Bettany), a young priest, is discovered in the act of adultery by a husband who dies in the ensuing struggle. Appalled by his fall from grace, he turns his back on the Church and goes on the run.
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The Reckoning

The Reckoning

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Critics Consensus

A talky, ponderous movie.

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Critics Reviews

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Will Self London Evening Standard As for young master Bettany, his Nicholas never managed to convince at all. His priest was insufficiently Godfearing, his adulterer not lusty enough, his actor too facile, and his detective too forensic. Jan 9, 2018 Full Review Stella Papamichael BBC.com Although raising intriguing questions about the moral obligation dramatists have to throw a spotlight on taboo subjects, The Reckoning offers simplistic solutions. Rated: 2/5 Jun 8, 2004 Full Review James Christopher The Times (UK) Wraps itself around Bettany's guilty secrets like a hot-water bottle, leaving more interesting characters in the moral cold Jun 2, 2004 Full Review Andrew L. Urban Urban Cinefile A strong screenplay coupled with an interesting cinematic structure and great images make this an engaging film with tension and texture Aug 18, 2014 Full Review Jeremy C. Fox Pajiba It's a shame the story's such a stinker, because this is one great-looking movie. Sep 16, 2005 Full Review Jeffrey Overstreet Christianity Today [It's] a film with a lot on its mind -- perhaps too much. ... As it is, philosophical dilemmas spread through the film like a plague until they finally claim its life. Rated: 2.5/4 Feb 1, 2005 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Audience Member Trust in me. Hope. Hope in him. A priest who was banished after getting caught having sex with a married woman joins a traveling play. The play arrives in a town where a murder was recently executed and an unlikely woman suspect has been arrested and assigned to be hanged. The play group reenacts the murder in their play in hopes of uncovering clues and those responsible for the killing. "Man's nature is corrupt." Paul McGuigan, director of Wicker Park, Lucky Number Sleven, Push, The Acid House, and episodes from the television series Sherlock, Scandal, and Monroe, delivers The Reckoning. The storyline for this picture is above average but the execution is just okay. The acting is better than average and the cast includes Willem Dafoe, Paul Bettany, Brian Cox, Tom Hardy, Vincent Cassel, Ewen Bremner, and Richard Durden. "You gave her hope." I came across this on Netflix while reviewing Tom Hardy pictures. This was interesting and fun to watch unfold but is more of a lazy Sunday afternoon movie than a must see. I only recommend seeing this if nothing better is on, but it is worth viewing once. "We're actors not judges." Grade: C Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 01/19/23 Full Review Audience Member The worst kind of anachronism, this movie tries to condemn child abuse in a medieval setting, a society that arguably didn't even recognize that crime. Rated 1 out of 5 stars 01/26/23 Full Review Audience Member Paul McGuigan, el director de la poderosa "Gangster No. 1" repite con Paul Bettany, esta vez en una historia ubicada en la Inglaterra de la Edad Media. Bettany interpreta a un sacerdote que comete adulterio y decide refugiarse con un grupo de actores intinerantes liderados por Martin (Willem Dafoe). Al llegar a un pueblo descubren un misterio relacionado con la violenta muerte de un niño que hace de "The Reckoning" una maravillosa historia didáctica como también una atmosférica historia de suspenso. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 01/25/23 Full Review Audience Member Paul McGuigan, el director de la poderosa "Gangster No. 1" repite con Paul Bettany, esta vez en una historia ubicada en la Inglaterra de la Edad Media. Bettany interpreta a un sacerdote que comete adulterio y decide refugiarse con un grupo de actores intinerantes liderados por Martin (Willem Dafoe). Al llegar a un pueblo descubren un misterio relacionado con la violenta muerte de un niño que hace de "The Reckoning" una maravillosa historia didáctica como también una atmosférica historia de suspenso. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 01/24/23 Full Review Audience Member Very good. Didn't give too much away, but gives enough. The story is pretty dark, but it's incredibly well done. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/16/23 Full Review Audience Member great Medieval film about the world of the Morality Plays! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/09/23 Full Review Read all reviews
The Reckoning

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Cast & Crew

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Paul McGuigan

Director

Paul Bettany

Nicholas

Willem Dafoe

Martin

Brian Cox

Tobias

Gina McKee

Sarah

Ewen Bremner

Simon Damian

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The Reckoning

Willem Dafoe as Martin in Paramount Classics' dramatic tale of redemption, directed by Paul McGuigan. Willem Dafoe (left) and Paul Bettany star in Paramount Classics' dramatic tale of redemption The Reckoning, directed by Paul McGuigan. Gina McKee as Sarah in Paramount Classics' dramatic tale of redemption, directed by Paul McGuigan. Paul bettany and Gina McKee in Paramount Classics' dramatic tale of redemption, directed by Paul McGuigan. Paul bettany as Nicholas in Paramount Classics' dramatic tale of redemption, directed by Paul McGuigan. Paul bettany and Willem Dafoe in Paramount Classics' dramatic tale of redemption, directed by Paul McGuigan. View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis England 14th century. Plague and attacks threaten remote communities and the forests that surround them add nameless terrors. The people labor under the yoke of two oppressive powers -- the Church laying claim to their souls and the Knights, the feudal warlords, who command life or death. Nicholas (Paul Bettany), a young priest, is discovered in the act of adultery by a husband who dies in the ensuing struggle. Appalled by his fall from grace, he turns his back on the Church and goes on the run.
Director
Paul McGuigan
Screenwriter
Mark Mills, Barry Unsworth
Distributor
Paramount Pictures
Production Co
Renaissance Pictures
Rating
R (Violent Images|Some Sexuality)
Genre
Mystery & Thriller, Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Aug 6, 2003, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
Oct 12, 2010
Box Office (Gross USA)
$256.6K
Runtime
1h 50m
Sound Mix
Surround, Dolby SRD
Aspect Ratio
Scope (2.35:1)
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