Doubt

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Doubt

PG-13

Released Dec 25, 2008

1h 44m

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

79%

Tomatometer

219 Reviews

78%

Popcornmeter

100,000+ Ratings

In 1964 the winds of change are sweeping through Sister Aloysius' (Meryl Streep) St. Nicholas school. Father Flynn (Philip Seymour Hoffman), a charismatic priest, is advocating reform of the school's strict customs, and the first black student has just been accepted. When a fellow nun (Amy Adams) tells Sister Aloysius that Father Flynn may be paying too much personal attention to the student, Sister Aloysius begins a personal crusade against the priest -- despite her lack of evidence.

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Critics Consensus

Doubt succeeds on the strength of its top-notch cast, who successfully guide the film through the occasional narrative lull.

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Candice Frederick

Reel Talk Online

Don't miss it.

Rated: A

Sep 12, 2017

Full Review

Anthony Quinn

Independent (UK)

The moral grey area of the title perhaps worked better in the stage play; exposed on screen it's not "doubt" being expressed, it's the sound of Streep's headmistressy voice demanding, "That Oscar - on my desk, NOW."

Rated: 2/5

Feb 10, 2009

Full Review

Peter Bradshaw

Guardian

Doubt looks like some sort of upscale horror film, complete with crows and swirling leaves like The Omen. It's actually a terminally muddled piece of star-studded Oscar-bait.

Rated: 1/5

Feb 6, 2009

Full Review

Brian Eggert

Deep Focus Review

An expert film, with a precision and lucidity in its intellectual quandary that few motion pictures can muster, making the experience at once entertaining and full of substance.

Rated: 4/4

Mar 5, 2024

Full Review

Danielle Solzman

Solzy at the Movies

Doubt never feels too theatrical in adapting for the screen but the powerhouse performances by the cast only serve to elevate John Patrick Shanley's script.

Rated: 4/5

Feb 1, 2024

Full Review

David Walsh

World Socialist Web Site

Shanley apparently accepts everything about the world. How can an artist accomplish anything on such a basis?

Feb 13, 2021

Full Review

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Audience Member

Hoffman today. tomorrow and forever.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

12/17/24

Full Review

Chris H

Very good indeed and, as you would expect, sensational turns not just from Streep and Hoffman, but Adams (the brilliant voice of reason and compassion, her character growing stronger every second) and Davis. It's a very strong story and I bet the play is incredible. Be warned - no definitive answers here and that's very much intended.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

12/11/24

Full Review

Shelley V

Delicate and realistic portrayal -clever, captivating and ambiguous. Wonderful acting as to be expected.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

12/10/24

Full Review

Sean W

I appreciate the nuanced subject matter, especially the ambiguity of the priest's true intention. The thematic devices, skewed angle shots, the heights of the character positions are rather contrived and forced. Over acting of almost all these high caliber actors & actresses really tarnishes what could have been a very good movie.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

08/17/24

Full Review

Akash A

Terrible movie. The acting was solid, but there was little to no plot. It kept creating suspense with no real ending. Also, I often think of or feel, the setting / environment of a movie. This was essentially 2 hours of watching and being in the realm of child abuse. Why would I want to do that by choice? Genuinely one of the worst movies I have ever seen --- the only good it brings is shedding light on what happens in churches, in case you didn't already know.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

05/06/24

Full Review

David H

This movie wants to have it both ways. The priest is both guilty and not guilty at the same time. Nonsense. Truth is not a matter of opinion. Facts are absolute.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/20/24

Full Review

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John Patrick Shanley

Director

Meryl Streep

Sister Aloysius

Philip Seymour Hoffman

Father Flynn

Amy Adams

Sister James

Viola Davis

Mrs. Miller

Alice Drummond

Sister Veronica

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Doubt: Official Clip - What Have I Done?

2:10

Doubt: Official Clip - I Will Do What Needs to Be Done

2:05

Doubt: Official Clip - I Have Such Doubts

2:09

Doubt: Official Clip - Crisis of Faith

2:12

Doubt: Official Clip - Sweet Tooth

1:40

Doubt: Official Clip - Pagan Christmas Songs

2:03

Doubt: Official Clip - Feathers of Gossip

2:13

Doubt: Official Clip - Supper Time

0:43

Doubt: Official Clip - Dirty Nails

1:29

Doubt: Official Clip - I Am Concerned

2:10

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Doubt: Trailer 1

1:55

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Synopsis

In 1964 the winds of change are sweeping through Sister Aloysius' (Meryl Streep) St. Nicholas school. Father Flynn (Philip Seymour Hoffman), a charismatic priest, is advocating reform of the school's strict customs, and the first black student has just been accepted. When a fellow nun (Amy Adams) tells Sister Aloysius that Father Flynn may be paying too much personal attention to the student, Sister Aloysius begins a personal crusade against the priest -- despite her lack of evidence.

Director: John Patrick Shanley
Producer: Scott Rudin, Mark Roybal
Screenwriter: John Patrick Shanley
Distributor: Miramax Films
Production Co: Scott Rudin Productions
Rating: PG-13 (Thematic Material)
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Dec 25, 2008, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Dec 17, 2015
Box Office (Gross USA): $33.4M
Runtime: 1h 44m

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