The Catechism Cataclysm

Released Oct 19, 2011

1 hr. 21 min.

Comedy

List

47%

19 Reviews

Tomatometer

42%

100+ Ratings

Audience Score

All hell breaks loose when an eccentric priest (Steve Little) embarks on a road trip with his high-school idol.

Read More

Read Less

Prime Video

Apple TV

Rent The Catechism Cataclysm on Apple TV, or buy it on Prime Video, Apple TV.

Audience Member

I wanted this to be funnier 2.2

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

06/04/21

Full Review

Audience Member

I can't think of an effective way to explain or share insight into Todd Rohal's THE CATECHISM CATACLYSM much less defend why I love it so much. Robert Longstreet, as one would expect, delivers a painfully realistic performance. While Steve Little offers an almost cartoonishly annoying take on his character. The really interesting thing is that these two very different characters are both being approached from distinctly different styles. It doesn't take long for the the two distinctly different types of stile to combine a systematic "catalyst" to turn an ill-advised canoe trip into a deeply odd exploration into dark storytelling. As "the stories" are spun each is presented in stark and literal manner. The connection and communication between the two characters begins to veer into unsettling moments of male-bonding to even more unsettling tension that begins to feel like their bonding is about to slither into potentially sinister sexually violent territory. And just as you think you know where we are headed, the film morphs into something altogether unexpected. ...And quite strange and twisted. A true cinematic oddity that is more smart than it wants to admit. If you have a twisted sense of humor and are looking to find something very different, see this. I would find it hard to believe anyone who describes this film as "dull" --- it is entertainingly strange -- and I almost cringe as I write this, but there is something charming about the whole experience.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/22/23

Full Review

Audience Member

This is a bizarre little must-see movie! It is very funny, though it does require patience at times. It seems like some reviewers were disappointed because it did not offer the religious satire that in their minds it allegedly promised. Sorry, folks. It does not denigrate religion, but rather shows its human side. Priests are people, too, who have crises of vocation and need vacations from serving the flock. Things definitely get weird! Traddie Catholics will probably not like this movie, but the rest of us just might.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/15/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Original, funny, absurdist, indie dark comedy. Definitely not for all tastes, but worth it for those who are willing to follow it wherever it takes them.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/24/23

Full Review

Audience Member

A lot of people evidently hate this movie, and while I can see why, I actually enjoyed it. I don't claim to understand, not even kind of, but it was funny and weird enough to maintain my interest. It's no classic, but worth a look if you're searching for something, er...unusual to watch tonight. Just don't expect it to add up to much.......

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/25/23

Full Review

Audience Member

This may have been the worst movie I've ever see in my life.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

01/17/23

Full Review

Read all reviews

Post a rating

Todd Rohal

Director

Steve Little

Father William

Robert Longstreet

Robbie Shoemaker

Wally Dalton

Father O'Herlihey

Ann Maddox

Tom Sawyer

Koko Lanham

Huckleberry Finn

Show Less Cast & Crew

Show More Cast & Crew

0%

40%

Tied To a Chair

5%

17%

Nature Calls

75%

53%

True Adolescents

39%

31%

Ceremony

50%

34%

Meet Monica Velour

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

Critics Consensus: Paranormal Activity 3 is Certified Fresh

View more photos

Gary Goldstein

Los Angeles Times

A grating and witless would-be spoof of religion, male-bonding and, it seems, horror movies.

Rated: 1.5/5

Nov 3, 2011

Full Review

Scott Tobias

NPR

William and Robbie's adventure has a shaggy-dog charm that's hard to resist.

Oct 20, 2011

Full Review

Noel Murray

AV Club

Even after the movie takes its turn for the surreal, it remains rooted in the reactions of slack-faced good guy Little and the gruff-but-loveable Longstreet.

Rated: B+

Oct 20, 2011

Full Review

Brent McKnight

The Last Thing I See

The film is kind of a road trip, kind of a voyage of self-discovery, and kind of an "Apocalypse Now" style journey into a chaotic, surreal hell.

Rated: B-

Jul 11, 2020

Full Review

David Nusair

Reel Film Reviews

...it's ultimately impossible to walk away from The Catechism Cataclysm feeling that it could (and should) have been much, much better.

Rated: 2/4

Feb 10, 2014

Full Review

John Gholson

Cinematical

It's a very dumb comedy made by very smart folks.

Feb 9, 2012

Full Review

Read all reviews

Synopsis

All hell breaks loose when an eccentric priest (Steve Little) embarks on a road trip with his high-school idol.

Director: Todd Rohal
Screenwriter: Todd Rohal
Distributor: IFC Films
Genre: Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Oct 19, 2011, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 5, 2017
Box Office (Gross USA): $1.9K

Most Popular at Home Now