The Rapture

R

Released Oct 4, 1991

1 hr. 42 min.

Drama

List

65%

31 Reviews

Tomatometer

62%

2,500+ Ratings

Audience Score

Sharon (Mimi Rogers) is a telephone operator who escapes the drudgery of her everyday life by trolling bars with her lover, Vic (Patrick Bauchau), and looking for couples to swing with. However, after having an epiphany while in bed with a stranger, she becomes a born-again Christian and soon joins a sect that believes Judgment Day is near. Sharon settles down, becoming a dedicated wife and mother, but her unflinching faith eventually leads to shocking behavior.

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Corocote L

Any film that is praised by atheists and fundamentalists alike has something big going for it. A film about true believers and the selfless devotion they bring-along with the destructive exclusionary violence they often choose to enforce. A brilliant interpretation on the coming (or not) future apocalyptic reckoning.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

10/03/23

Full Review

Christian M

By no means perfect and probably divisive but a unique topic and thought provoking. Interesting comparison piece to This Is The End, which to a certain extent covers the same topic (unfortunately in a mostly juvenile way)

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/05/23

Full Review

Mike J

Californication isn't that good but it's just like that sometimes.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

04/28/22

Full Review

William L

So turns out Point Break isn't the only movie released in 1991 where a character empties their pistol into the air in an emotional outburst. But The Rapture is all about internal conflict with religious conviction, and Point Break is about Keanu Reeves infiltrating a group of surfer-thieves. So it's really a toss-up. On the one hand, The Rapture is an interesting take on Christian evangelicalism in the world today - a bizarre pride in ignoring today's realities in favor of a post-mortal reward, an ends-justify-the means mentality, and the obsession with the apocalypse. Mimi Rogers as Sharon does a great job of conveying an unnerving cheeriness as she casually discusses some disturbing features of doctrine, giving off a cult-like vibe; when she tries to justify her suicidal trip to the desert with her daughter while also rationalizing why she should bring a sweater ("it gets cold in the desert at night"), the disconnect between the two is very clear. On the other hand, the movie just isn't that great at storytelling, with a poor distribution of its runtime to certain subplots (the hitchhiker vs. Sharon's growth into her Christian persona and the development of her family; Duchovny feels glossed over in particular), and the tone is pretty variable. Apart from Rogers, a lot of the performances aren't particularly strong. Would really love if the movie had depicted people being turned away from the pearly gates for wearing mixed fabrics or eating shellfish. (2.5/5)

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

12/30/21

Full Review

Audience Member

I thought the movie was totally different than any other movie that I've seen, which I liked. The storyline direction was not something that I saw coming and parts seemed hokey, but again I found myself liking the unusual nature of the film.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/01/23

Full Review

S R

1001 movies to see before you die. Some bizarre takes on religion, but props for taking on the issues in a different light. I don't plan to see this again. RUS.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

11/04/23

Full Review

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Michael Tolkin

Director

Mimi Rogers

Sharon

Patrick Bauchau

Vic

Kimberly Cullum

Mary

Dick Anthony Williams

Henry

Will Patton

Deputy Foster

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Richard Brody

New Yorker

It's one of the most terrifying of religious films; an astounding synthesis of style and subject, it merges the meticulously practical and the terrifyingly visionary with a breathtaking audacity.

Oct 30, 2020

Full Review

David Ansen

Newsweek

The Rapture is far from perfect, but it's a riveting act of provocation.

Feb 7, 2018

Full Review

Owen Gleiberman

Entertainment Weekly

Rated: C+

Sep 7, 2011

Full Review

Rene Jordan

El Nuevo Herald (Miami)

Nothing more than a cheap horror film that uncomfortably flirts with blasphemy. [Full review in Spanish]

Jan 4, 2023

Full Review

Eve Tushnet

Patheos

The Rapture commits.

Oct 22, 2018

Full Review

Mark Amory

The Spectator

It is all original, interesting, sympathetic and not at all moving.

Aug 30, 2018

Full Review

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Synopsis

Sharon (Mimi Rogers) is a telephone operator who escapes the drudgery of her everyday life by trolling bars with her lover, Vic (Patrick Bauchau), and looking for couples to swing with. However, after having an epiphany while in bed with a stranger, she becomes a born-again Christian and soon joins a sect that believes Judgment Day is near. Sharon settles down, becoming a dedicated wife and mother, but her unflinching faith eventually leads to shocking behavior.

Director: Michael Tolkin
Screenwriter: Michael Tolkin
Distributor: New Line Cinema
Production Co: New Line Cinema
Rating: R
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Oct 4, 1991, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Mar 1, 2011
Box Office (Gross USA): $1.3M
Sound Mix: Surround

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