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The Rite

Play trailer Poster for The Rite PG-13 2011 1h 54m Horror Mystery & Thriller Play Trailer Watchlist
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22% Tomatometer 169 Reviews 40% Popcornmeter 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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The Rite

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 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. Go to Full Review 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. Go to Full Review 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. Go to Full Review 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. Go to Full Review Rene Jordan El Nuevo Herald (Miami) 10/06/2022
The Rite arrives too late to its infernal circle. [Full review in Spanish] Go to Full Review Richard Propes TheIndependentCritic.com 09/21/2020
2.5/4.0
By the film's mid-point Hafstrom has lost control of the film. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Forrest M @RT32281296 1d "The Rite" is one of the best exorcism movies that I have seen. It has a lot of interesting themes about the demons, exorcisms, and the debate between faith and science. We get to see the rituals, the prayers, and the trainings the exorcists go through at the Vatican. This exorcism training were definitely interesting. Also, we get to see real-life exorcisms like a little girl that was demon possessed at the conclusion. Also, also get to see the battle between exorcism against psychiatry. It presents the fact of the presence of the demons wherein the evil spirit exists that can only be healed by deliverance prayer and exorcism in comparison with psychiatric illness. The final scene when Fr. Michael Kovak hears a Confession as the sacrament of Reconciliation shows that it is the primary form of exorcism when the priest absolves a person's sin Highly recommended film to obtain awareness in the presence of the demons and its evil presence in a spiritually starved modern world. See more Melissa L @Agent99 Apr 10 Anthony Hopkins was great. Some of this was filmed in a town I grew up in... See more 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. See more Jamie L @RT19486188 Oct 19 Brilliant acting and a good few jump scares too! See more 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. See more 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! See more Read all reviews
The Rite

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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 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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