The Rite: Exorcism becoming a trendy new topic?

Last updated on: December 17, 2010 at 6:48 am by Peg Aloi

The Rite: Exorcism becoming a trendy new topic? 2010-12-17T06:48:00+00:00 Peg Aloi

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

After The Last Exorcism drew a respectable number of theatre-goers and some decent box office earlier this year (not bad for a first-time filmmaker), it would seem exorcism is again a hot topic, and this time on a bigger budget. Sir Anthony Hopkins stars in The Rite, helmed by Swedish director Mikal Hafstrom, whose previous work includes Derailed, Evil and the paranormal triller 1408.

Hopkins plays an American priest who travels to Italy to study at a school for exorcists. The cast also includes veteran Irish actor Ciaran Hinds (seen earlier this year in the romantic ghost story The Eclipse with Aidan Quinn) and Rutger Hauer, perhaps best known as the platinum blond replicant in Bladerunner. Two trailers available here indicate what begins as an intriguing story “inspired by true events” (and quoting this recent New York Times article) turns into a bonafide horror film. What’s most intriguing to me about The Rite is the suggestion that the Vatican’s decision to engender a renewed interest in exorcism and demonic possession is a story that has been hushed up in the news media, and this film purports to tell the untold story. But to do so within the trappings of a horror film may tend to undermine the story’s brevity, whether intentionally or not.

In a similar way, The Last Exorcism started out grounded in absolute realism (hand held cinema verite, fake documentary style) and ended up a horror film, which, while entertaining, didn’t work for me. A fake documentary purporting to contain “found footage” can’t (or shouldn’t) employ eerie music or spooky camera angles, as that spirits it into another genre entirely.

But The Rite has no such conflicts of form: it’s a big budget thriller with some ambitious things to say about the the possibility that the devil just might be real. This road has already been well trod, of course, particularly in 1973’s The Exorcist. We’ll see what new light (or darkness) will be shed with this one.

(Image from horror-asylum.)

Uncategorized

Previous Post

December 9, 2010

See Movies with Friends! Witchy Friends!

Next Post

December 19, 2010 Season of the Witch Interview

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category American Horror Story: COVEN American Horror Story: FREAKSHOW Beltane Faery magic News & Reviews occult pagan festivals Paganism Review Reviews ritual Sabbats Samhain Satanic Panic Tuesday Muse News & Reviews TV Uncategorized Wheel of the Year witches in film witches on TV

Select a Month February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 July 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 October 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 November 2014 October 2014 August 2014 July 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 June 2012 May 2012 April 2012 March 2012 February 2012 January 2012 December 2011 November 2011 October 2011 September 2011 August 2011 June 2011 May 2011 April 2011 March 2011 February 2011 January 2011 December 2010 November 2010 October 2010

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

What is Jesus' most famous sermon called?

Select your answer to see how you score.

The Parable of the Sower The Beatitudes The Last Supper The Sermon on the Mount