The Rite 2011

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TheRite.2011.mkv - 396.8 MB

Apparently, Satan is a huge fan of Dr. Hannibal Lecter. How else can you explain the new exorcism film The Rite's last act channeling of that famous film character by the man who made him (in)famous in the first place. For most of this moronic horror movie's languid, limp pace, Anthony Hopkins's Father Lucas appears to be a doddering old fool who may or may not be a glorified con man. We get pathos, snatches of senility, and the distinct impression that this is one Man of God who has been battling Beelzebub for far too long. If it really were a serious attempt at addressing faith, perhaps The Rite would be more engaging. As it stands, it's yet another example of how Hollywood undersells religion for cheap thrills and even more mediocre chills.

Desperate to escape his father (Rutger Hauer) and the family mortuary, young Michael Kovak (Colin O'Donoghue) decides to run off and join the seminary. Four years later, he is seriously rethinking his vows. His mentor, Father Matthew (Toby Jones) suggests he join the Vatican's exorcist training program -- it's either that, or repay the Church the $100K it passed out in tuition. Without much choice, Michael is whisked off to Rome where he meets his instructor Father Xavier (Ciaran Hinds), as well as undercover reporter Angelina (Alice Braga). Of course, he doesn't believe in all this demonic possession nonsense, so as a last attempt at swaying his opinion, he is sent to work with Father Lucas (Hopkins). There, Michael learns the truth about exorcism, as well as God's plan for his life.

If audiences were archeologists, they might be able to find the value -- entertainment, intellectual, spiritual -- in this otherwise ridiculous sacramental mess. Even without the laughable "inspired by true events" tag at the beginning, The Rite randomizes its potential import to the point of outright ridiculousness. The movie takes itself so seriously, wanting to be so much more than a brisk cinematic battle between the powers of good and evil that it completely forgets why we enjoy the genre. The Rite is not remotely scary, failing its potential frights time and time again. It even finds a way to make an extended exorcism with an Oscar winner feel like a bad Saturday Night Live sketch.

Because his work as Thomas Harris's iconic villain remains so memorable, Hopkins can't help but sound like Lecter when he goes into malevolent mode. When taunting Michael, trying to get the already unsure seminarian to question himself even further, he slips right back into that old familiar faux American accent. He even incorporates goofy slang terminology like "Dude". All of this is supposed to be unnerving. It's actually unintentionally hilarious. As a matter of fact, The Rite is one of the more arch accidental comedies in a long time. Every time we are supposed to shiver in anticipation of another spine-tingling demonic attack, it's our funny bone that gets the workout instead.

This is because director Mikael Håfström (who did much better with Stephen King's 1408) can't seem to figure out the kind of film he wants to make. Instead of treating faith with reverence, he retrofits it into a bad plot twist. Instead of letting us know if Father Lucas is authentic or just a holy huckster, he keeps the issue confused and pointlessly vague. We don't care about Michael or his current crisis, and the notion of the Vatican purposefully preparing priests to be exorcists is washed away with a single expositional line. No matter the skill of the supporting players or the underlying intrigue in the idea, The Rite just fizzles. If William Friedkin's 1973 The Exorcist is the genre's benchmark, this is its punchline.