The Rite (New Line Cinema)

With classic films like The Exorcist and The Omen, Hollywood has given us a reason to think about and/or believe in the existence of the devil. In recent years, films like The Exorcism of Emily Rose and The Last Exorcism also showed us the possibilities of bringing a person out of a demonic possession. The Rite is the latest film in that category, but also offers questions on how an exorcism can be done and if the devil does exist.

Young Michael Kovak (played by Colin O’Donoghue) works as a mortician at a funeral home that is run by his father (Rutger Hauer). Because of his religious upbringing, he decides to become a priest but finds being in a Catholic college to be uninteresting. However, a fateful incident leads him to travel to Vatican City in Rome, Italy to study exorcism. When Michael had a hard time believing in actual exorcism, the class instructor (Ciaran Hinds) recommends he visit the Vatican’s veteran exorcist Father Lucas (Anthony Hopkins) for a first-hand experience.

Father Lucas is trying to cure a pregnant teenage woman who has been experiencing symptoms of demonic possession. After the exorcism is proven successful, Michael is still not convinced. However, he starts to see demonic visions which lead him to begin believing in the devil’s existence. With the help of a reporter (Alice Braga), Michael has to fight the devil’s demonic power before it takes on the body of someone unexpected.

The movie is inspired by true events which are intriguing, because it does make one wonder if an exorcism is possible. Whether you believe in the devil or not, The Rite does a good job giving possible explanations into the existence of the devil, the truth about possessions, and the success and failures of exorcisms. There are so many questions raised during the duration of the film that some answers are best left in the minds of the audience.

As a horror film, it also has its moments. While not as scary as The Exorcist, it still has a creepy atmosphere that leaves the viewer feeling unsettled and unknowing. Though the trailers give away some surprises, the movie is still able to create a satisfying resolution.

Hopkins is at his usual best providing the same intensity he made famous as Hannibal Lecter in his trilogy of scary films. It’s easy to get into his character’s mindset. The rest of the cast also do a good job keeping the film afloat.

You may not enjoy it as much as other exorcism and devil films, but The Rite is recommended based on both chills and intelligence. At 73, Hopkins proves he’s capable at playing intense characters.

THE MOVIE’S RATING: PG-13 (for disturbing thematic material, violence, frightening images, and language including sexual references).

THE CRITIC’S RATING: 3 Stars (Out of Four)