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The Rite

Play trailer Poster for The Rite PG-13 Released Jan 28, 2011 1h 54m Horror Mystery & Thriller Play Trailer Watchlist
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22% Tomatometer 171 Reviews 40% Popcornmeter 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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The Rite

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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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Critics Reviews

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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 Full Review 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 Full Review 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 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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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 Full Review 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 Full Review 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 Full Review 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 Full Review 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 Full Review 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 Read all reviews
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Cast & Crew

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Mikael Håfström

Director

Anthony Hopkins

Father Lucas Trevant

Colin O'Donoghue

Michael Kovak

Alice Braga

Angeline

Ciarán Hinds

Father Xavier

Toby Jones

Father Matthew

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The Rite

Anthony Hopkins as Father Lucas in "The Rite."' (L-R) Colin O'Donoghue as Michael Kovak and Anthony Hopkins as Father Lucas in "The Rite."' (Top-Bottom) Colin O'Donoghue as Michael Kovak and Marja Karan as Sandra in "The Rite." Colin O'Donoghue as Michael Kovak in "The Rite." Anthony Hopkins as Father Lucas in "The Rite." (L-R) Colin O'Donoghue as Michael Kovak and Alice Braga as Angeline in "The Rite." Anthony Hopkins as Father Lucas in "The Rite." Anthony Hopkins as Father Lucas in "The Rite." Anthony Hopkins as Father Lucas in "The Rite." (L-R) Anthony Hopkins as Father Lucas and Colin O'Donoghue as Michael Kovak in "The Rite." View more photos

Movie Info

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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