Wise Blood

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Wise Blood

PG

1979

1h 48m

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

88%

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26 Reviews

74%

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1,000+ Ratings

After returning home from World War II, uneducated and irreligious U.S. Army veteran Hazel Motes (Brad Dourif) decides to make his way in the world by impersonating a priest and starting his own religion. Motes soon attracts a follower -- a manic potato peeler named Enoch Emery (Dan Shor) -- but things get complicated when he encounters fellow sidewalk charlatans Asa Hawks (Harry Dean Stanton) and his waif-like young daughter, Sabbath Lilly Hawks (Amy Wright).

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Critics Consensus

Director John Huston and author Flannery O'Connor prove a formidable creative match in Wise Blood, a gothic satire anchored by Brad Dourif's vinegary performance.

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Keith Uhlich

Time Out

Flannery O'Connor's incisive sense of person and place is brilliantly captured in this 1979 film adaptation of her highly regarded first novel, which plays out as a broad comedy set within a timeless purgatory.

Rated: 5/6

Aug 4, 2020

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Frank Rich

TIME Magazine

This time, Huston has found material that was all but guaranteed to fuel the battiest recesses of his imagination.

Sep 19, 2014

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Variety Staff

Variety

John Huston, with uncluttered direction and expert handling of actors, has fashioned a disturbing tale of the fringe side of overzealous religious preachers in the deep South.

Jul 6, 2010

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Eddie Harrison

film-authority.com

…an allegory, but of a wry and intelligent kind that’s peppered with memorable moments and scenes, impeccably played…

Rated: 4/5

May 1, 2023

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Tom Huhn

Washington Blade

Every shot in the film seems efficient and economical: clever and skillful in most cases, but always precise. [It] leaves the viewer amazed, puzzled, but finally satisfied. The film is ultimately honest at a time when that quality seems rarer and rarer.

May 18, 2022

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Stephen Farber

New West/California

Wise Blood is as sly and nimble as some of the late films of Bunuel. Huston is now 73, so this is an old man's film, but it has a vigor and audacity that most young directors should envy.

Nov 4, 2021

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Luca D

Goes from black comedy to drama about halfway through. Wish the characters were a little more fleshed out, but their standoffishnish is very realistic, especially when they proclaim how hard it is to make friends in their small town. Just wish we got to know them a little better, or even if they had smallest bit of connection. The acting throughout this movie is phenomenal, though it's very 1970s acting its still good, comes off almost like actors in a play which I personally think is the best acting. I haven't delved into the meaning of the book/movie but it definitely makes you think about yourself and your actions towards others, especially in terms of preaching and spreading information (or misinformation).

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

09/28/25

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CodyZamboni Z

Unsuccessful satire on organized religion, A mean, pissed off Brad Dourif gives a strong performance, as he grows increasingly psycho, murderous and self destructive, Wacky characters don't connect, Movie's points aren't focused , The ending is pointless, and maybe that was intentional,

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

11/22/24

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James D

I kept wondering throughout the movie: Where is this headed? I seemed directionless and without purpose or meaning. Yep, by the end that is exactly what this movie is about - roaming senselessness. Was this Huston's stab at "A Clockwork Orange" or a biker movie? I'll never get that 1 hour and 47 minutes of my life back. I feel dumber for having watched it.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

03/17/23

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robert m

One of the best of the Southern Gothic movies. And it stays close to the story that Flannery wrote. Like many of the militant atheists, her main character (Hazel) is obsessed with religion. He pulls other people into his personal tragedy as he preaches against God and Christ. Don't be surpised if you become one of Hazel's victims. This movie may give you nightmares.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

03/30/23

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Audience Member

Very bizarre, hilarious, awkward. I loved it.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

07/16/20

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Audience Member

Think this one would be better shot my Coen Bros or Martin McDonagh, who have a feel for O'Connor type stories. The soundtrack is distracting and uneven. Overdubbing with a fresh one would remedy half of what's objectionable in this movie.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/03/23

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John Huston

Director

Brad Dourif

Hazel Motes

Amy Wright

Sabbath Lily

Harry Dean Stanton

Asa Hawks

Dan Shor

Enoch Emory

John Huston

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Synopsis

After returning home from World War II, uneducated and irreligious U.S. Army veteran Hazel Motes (Brad Dourif) decides to make his way in the world by impersonating a priest and starting his own religion. Motes soon attracts a follower -- a manic potato peeler named Enoch Emery (Dan Shor) -- but things get complicated when he encounters fellow sidewalk charlatans Asa Hawks (Harry Dean Stanton) and his waif-like young daughter, Sabbath Lilly Hawks (Amy Wright).

Director: John Huston
Producer: Kathy Fitzgerald, Michael Fitzgerald, Wolfgang Limmer
Screenwriter: Benedict Fitzgerald, Michael Fitzgerald
Production Co: Anthea
Rating: PG
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Dec 12, 1979, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Mar 23, 2017
Runtime: 1h 48m

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