The Rite (2011) Review in 2025
A young priest travels to Rome to study exorcism, but things take a dark turn when he's sent to investigate a mysterious case.
Family-Friendly Rating
Is this movie suitable for family viewing?
Not recommended for young children due to some intense and disturbing scenes.
CineReview Recommendation
If you enjoy horror movies with a supernatural twist, you might enjoy The Rite. However, if you're looking for something particularly original or memorable, you might want to look elsewhere.
Spoiler Alert!
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The movie follows Michael Kovak, a young priest who's sent to Rome to study exorcism, but he's skeptical of its existence. He's paired with a seasoned priest, Father Xavier, who's dealing with a demonic possession case. As Michael delves deeper into the case, he discovers that the demon is real and it's not just a product of his imagination.
Review Details
story7.00/10
The story is engaging and suspenseful, but it's not particularly original. The plot twists are predictable, and the pacing is a bit slow at times.
acting7.00/10
The acting is solid, with some great performances from the cast. Anthony Hopkins is particularly memorable as Father Xavier, bringing a sense of gravitas and authority to the role.
characters6.00/10
The characters are well-developed, but they're not particularly complex. Michael Kovak is a likable protagonist, but he's not particularly memorable.
direction7.00/10
The direction is solid, but it's not particularly noteworthy. Mikael Håfström does a good job of building tension and suspense, but the film's atmosphere is not particularly eerie or unsettling.
cinematography8.00/10
The cinematography is excellent, with some truly stunning shots of Rome. The lighting is also noteworthy, with some great use of shadows and darkness to create a sense of unease.
Pros and Cons
Pros
The Rite has some great moments of suspense and tension, and the cinematography is excellent. Anthony Hopkins is also memorable as Father Xavier.
Cons
The story is predictable, and the pacing is a bit slow at times. The characters are not particularly complex, and the film's atmosphere is not particularly eerie or unsettling.
Notable Quotes
"The greatest trick the devil ever pulled was convincing the world he didn't exist."
"You can't just pray away evil. You have to confront it head-on."
