The Believers

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Steve D Fails to build any real suspense. Rated 1/5 Stars •  Rated 1 out of 5 stars 03/02/23 Full Review william w I can see why the critics panned this film. Despite its A-list stars and screenplay it has a B-grade made-for-TV feel to it. The lawyer friend's stage magic shtick feels rushed - they spent not enough time developing it for the coup de grâce, which still works but I thought the whole set-up deserved more attention. The finale of the sorcerer impaled upon the raw materials of modernity works too, and though hints of this theme begin in the film's opening it too feels rushed, as if the film's budget was top-heavy due to the presence of Sheen and his Apocalypse Now bravado, replaced here with the thoughtful undercover work of a police psychologist who infiltrates a folk religion founded upon (human) sacrifice of the young - not unlike ‘this great nation of ours' as one of the cultists points out, the sacrifice of war itself. This movie is disturbing on a lot of levels based largely upon these hints dropped in the screenplay. When I first saw it in the theater I did not realize it was written by Mark Frost who would later go on to such success with David Lynch as a collaborator. It is too bad that the director John Schlesinger could not make this film as gritty and real as his earlier acclaimed work, nor could he manage to highlight in any impactful way the true theme here of modern society versus its shadow, the ‘premodern' or ‘supernatural' and the superstitions of (one might say) those traditionally excluded from modern society, i.e. ‘the folk'. Here we have all the ingredients of modern conspiracy theory - a cult of wealthy successful people sacrificing their own children and apparently the children of others at times. This is the stuff we are still fighting about now, what with the steady drumbeat of Epstein, Maxwell, and QAnon echoing out in the jungles of the Internet. As I said, the movie opens with hints of this theme, modernity versus the premodern, a parade of modern uncertainty and the suggestion of extreme politics - front page terrorism headlines scream random death, as onscreen death by defective product screams product liability and the possibility of a lawsuit, a triggering of the legal system and all the contingency that entails - will the son have to testify? It is too traumatic. The cult offers magic as an escape from modern society and the trauma of its omnipresent contingency: "Of course you're uncertain… and now imagine if you can a life without uncertainty…" But it is the stage magic tricks of this lawyer (a trade that deals only in contingency it seems) that ultimately saves them. Modern society with its science, uncertainty and differentiated social systems triumphs in the end, but for how long? A guard dog is not enough. Fear demands ritual, a hidden shrine. We cling to our superstitions - "We'll be safe now," she whispers gently in the darkness. Rated 3/5 Stars •  Rated 3 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review hasan bulut c it is not a pretty film or a bit gross time to time. however, the films is intriguing and flows well and Malick Bowens also very is creepy. it is not groundbreaking but a good super natural horror. Rated 4.5/5 Stars •  Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review Audience Member The Believers starts out making you think that it is going to be a very average and predictable experience. However, the film has some interesting plot twists and some really intense scenes! The facial rash scene will make your skin crawl! (No pun intended.) The Believers was perfectly cast, Sheen, Loggia, Smits, Masur, Bowens, Shaver and Yulin are all absolutely great in this one! Martin Sheen in particular gives an excellent performance making his character very believable and most worthy of your rooting for him! Perhaps one of Sheen's best performances? Rated 4/5 Stars •  Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/23/23 Full Review Audience Member The Believers is a disturbing thriller based around a brujeria cult (wrongfully often not clearly differentiated from Santeria). Although, for me, not really a horror flick other than being slightly gory for a thriller - the face blemish scenes are definitely a fear most people have had. Martin Sheen and the other character actors are solid and there were enough twists to keep me interested. I think it holds up fairly well. I'm not sure why the score is quite so rotten. Rated 3/5 Stars •  Rated 3 out of 5 stars 01/30/23 Full Review Audience Member I don't understand the critics and "experts" dislike for this movie. Same with Rotten Tomatoes and their ROTTEN rating. It's hilarious how it has a 35 Rotten Tomato score, but yet 90% like this movie. Maybe it was ahead of its time? I think it rocks. So go KICK rocks with your ROTTEN rating. 💨🎤 Rated 5/5 Stars •  Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/27/23 Full Review Read all reviews

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