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.

| Original Score: 2.5/4 | Aug 3, 2023

The Rite arrives too late to its infernal circle. [Full review in Spanish]

| Oct 6, 2022

By the film's mid-point Hafstrom has lost control of the film.

| Original Score: 2.5/4.0 | Sep 21, 2020

[The film] isn't great, but it isn't a disaster either. That's got to count for something.

| Original Score: B- | Aug 11, 2020

'The Rite' begins well enough, though along the way, things go horribly wrong.

| Original Score: C- | Jul 13, 2020

Demonic possessions are not a universal Christian belief, and there's just not enough here of interest to appeal to any audience, be they Christian, atheist, agnostic or anywhere in between.

| Original Score: 1.5/4 | Jun 7, 2019

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.

| Original Score: 2/5 | Apr 3, 2019

... takes forever and a day to get to the point, and when it does, it's not even that interesting.

| Mar 6, 2019

All a rather predictable outcome that doesn't offer anything we've not seen before, but Anthony Hopkins saves it.

| Feb 28, 2019

There are some scares, some cool devil moments, and Hopkins delivers a wry performance which suggests that he may realize his job is all theatrics and therapy rather than Holy Mission stuff.

| May 23, 2018

The Rite is theological and supernatural horror because it is faith seeking understanding in terrifying and inexplicable circumstances. It is deeply Catholic in its sensibilities, though I think all believers will find it interesting.

| Jun 29, 2017

It's one of those films that pretends to take ideas about faith seriously, until it's time for the CGI money shots to kick in.

Full Review | May 3, 2015

Though thoroughly predictable, this film is not to be taken too seriously.

| Original Score: 3/5 | Oct 2, 2013

Poor character development, a thin plot and predictability make this one a forgettable film.

| Original Score: 4/10 | Jul 24, 2013

A geniunely creepy film that takes faith and its subject matter seriously.

| Original Score: 3.5/5 | Jun 30, 2013

This is a movie about priests fighting the evil Baal demon. That's not a spiritual journey "suggested by true events." That's a Tenacious D song.

| Original Score: C | Jun 23, 2013

Although Hopkins shines when his evil-infused priest exhibits low-level nastiness, his climactic exorcism scenes don't ring true and aren't very frightening.

| Original Score: 2/5 | Feb 15, 2013

[Hopkins] stumbles through his entire acting range - from lazy, stilted line delivery to balls-out mentalist improvisation.

| Original Score: 2/5 | Sep 27, 2012

| Original Score: C | Feb 18, 2012

Dull and overlong at times, but also scary when it needs to be.

| Original Score: 7/10 | Jan 29, 2012