The Rite

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The Rite

PG-13

Released Jan 28, 2011

1h 54m

Horror

Mystery & Thriller

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Popcornmeter

22%

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169 Reviews

40%

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50,000+ Ratings

Though he is filled with doubt about the subject, seminary student Michael Kovak (Colin O'Donoghue) finds he must attend a Vatican school of exorcism. Believing possession to be the work of a troubled mind rather than actual demons, hel urges his superiors to look for answers in psychiatry. Then Michael becomes the apprentice of Father Lucas (Anthony Hopkins), a veteran exorcist, and encounters a terrifying force that causes him to question everything he believes.

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Critics Consensus

Anthony Hopkins is as excellent as ever, but he's no match for The Rite's dawdling pace and lack of chills -- or Colin O'Donoghue's tentative performance in the leading role.

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Shubhra Gupta

The Indian Express

What makes this film old is Anthony Hopkins and his laboured transformation into a tortured being, who needs to be tied up hand and foot, there to snarl and growl.We've seen this Hopkins before, better done in his man-eating Hannibal Lecter role.

Rated: 2/5

Apr 3, 2019

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Nick Schager

Lessons of Darkness

Parades about with a self-seriousness at odds with a second-half dominated by veiny-faced, limb-contorting special effects and screaming, screaming, screaming.

Rated: C-

Jun 5, 2011

Full Review

David Stratton

At the Movies (Australia)

This dreary affair is 'inspired by actual events', but it's a very low-wattage entry into the genre of the exorcist movie.

Rated: 2/5

Mar 9, 2011

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Brian Eggert

Deep Focus Review

Much like Håfström’s last film, 1408, a promising and even impressive opening gives way to a final act that squanders everything that came before.

Rated: 2.5/4

Aug 3, 2023

Full Review

Rene Jordan

El Nuevo Herald (Miami)

The Rite arrives too late to its infernal circle. [Full review in Spanish]

Oct 6, 2022

Full Review

Richard Propes

TheIndependentCritic.com

By the film's mid-point Hafstrom has lost control of the film.

Rated: 2.5/4.0

Sep 21, 2020

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John D

"The Rite" delivers a stunning portrayal of demonic possession and exorcism, along with a focus on character transformation. I highly recommend this film!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/27/25

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J M

Fantastic film with an excellent understanding of the reality of the battle between unseen forces of Good vs evil entities. If anyone doubts this reality, show up to help women in crisis pregnancy, and all hell breaks loose. Truly the battle is over Human Life & eternal destiny. My teens loved this film bc they know this to be true. In the end God wins, but it can get ugly in the process. Thankful these people made this film. Can’t imagine what it cost them.🙏🏼

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/18/25

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Kalin T

Terrible… I can’t think of one good thing to say about this movie.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

06/28/25

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Garry A

I kept waiting for more to happen during the 1st half of the film. The movie got better, in part because there was more Anthony Hopkins.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

06/23/25

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Panagiotis G

Brilliant film on the subject. I loved the story and everything in it. God bless us all.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

05/17/25

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Rich S

When I heard about The Rite, I was hoping Anthony Hopkins was reprising his Hannibal Lecter role as a priest who does exorcisms while hiding from Agent Starling. I was close. It's not my kind of film, though. I never cared for The Exorcist or The Omen. The Howling, on the other hand, is a banger.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

04/18/25

Full Review

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Mikael Håfström

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Anthony Hopkins

Father Lucas Trevant

Colin O'Donoghue

Michael Kovak

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Ciarán Hinds

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Synopsis

Though he is filled with doubt about the subject, seminary student Michael Kovak (Colin O'Donoghue) finds he must attend a Vatican school of exorcism. Believing possession to be the work of a troubled mind rather than actual demons, hel urges his superiors to look for answers in psychiatry. Then Michael becomes the apprentice of Father Lucas (Anthony Hopkins), a veteran exorcist, and encounters a terrifying force that causes him to question everything he believes.

Director: Mikael Håfström
Producer: Beau Flynn, Tripp Vinson
Screenwriter: Michael Petroni
Distributor: Warner Bros. Pictures
Production Co: Contrafilm
Rating: PG-13 (Frightening Images|Disturbing Thematic Material|Language|Sexual References|Violence)
Genre: Horror, Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jan 28, 2011, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 17, 2013
Box Office (Gross USA): $33.0M
Runtime: 1h 54m
Sound Mix: SDDS, Dolby Digital, DTS

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