The Rite

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The Rite

PG-13

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 finds he must attend a Vatican school of exorcism. Believing possession to be the work of a troubled mind rather than actual demons, he urges his superiors to look for answers in psychiatry. Then Michael becomes the apprentice of Father Lucas, 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

04/03/2019

2/5

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.

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Nick Schager

Lessons of Darkness

06/05/2011

C-

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

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David Stratton

At the Movies (Australia)

03/09/2011

2/5

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

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Brian Eggert

Deep Focus Review

08/03/2023

2.5/4

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.

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Rene Jordan

El Nuevo Herald (Miami)

10/06/2022

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

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Richard Propes

TheIndependentCritic.com

09/21/2020

2.5/4.0

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

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Cathleen T

@Cathy710 Feb 13

I found this movie a good depiction of what exorcism is. As a Catholic I struggled to understand it but now I think the movie explains what it really is like. There is so much evil in the world and yes people can really be possessed by the devil. I did not find the movie horrific but saw it as the process that a priest gives his life to save someone from Satan. I found it to be a good movie as it is based on a true story. Years ago a parish priest spoke of someone he knew that performed exorcisms and he said that priest asked for prayers to be strong enough to conquer the devil. I didn't understand it at that time and it always bothered me why a holy man of God would be worried but this movie explains it all.

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Jamie L

@RT19486188 Oct 19

Brilliant acting and a good few jump scares too!

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Eye C

@ECinc Oct 2

With a simple and uninnovative story, the film manages to draw the spectator in and perturb them through the experiences of the young seminarian.

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John D

@RT89802792 Jul 27

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

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J M

@RT31260735 Jul 18

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.🙏🏼

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Kalin T

@RT72067853 Jun 28

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

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Mikael Håfström

Director

Anthony Hopkins

Father Lucas Trevant

Colin O'Donoghue

Michael Kovak

Alice Braga

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Ciarán Hinds

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Synopsis

Though he is filled with doubt about the subject, seminary student Michael Kovak finds he must attend a Vatican school of exorcism. Believing possession to be the work of a troubled mind rather than actual demons, he urges his superiors to look for answers in psychiatry. Then Michael becomes the apprentice of Father Lucas, 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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