Writer: Anne Jamaludin

Writer Ratings:
Overall:
Cast:
Plot:
Effects:
Cinematography:

Watch this if you liked: “The Exorcism of Emily Rose”, “Devil”, “The Exorcist”

Fancy a holistic approach to the paranormal and inexplicable demonic possession, much different than the ones before? "The Rite" intends to bring the answers to such question and this movie brings an insight to the coveted Vatican and the haunting reality of the devil and its trickery towards mankind. It is inspired by living individuals Father Kovak and his mentor Father Lucas.

The story begins with a mortician's son named Michael Kovak who helps his father perform the eerily unique tasks of preparing cadavers for their funeral processions. He decides to pursue his studies to become a priest but at the moment when he starts to question by having doubts on his own beliefs, God's calling comes to change his mind. Despite all that, Michael remains a sceptic and he was sent to Rome to train as an exorcist. Chains of events lead him to Father Lucas (Anthony Hopkins) who will open Michael's doubtful heart to embrace his calling.

Despite bringing a little bit more from the usual possession cases on silver screens, "The Rite" fails to carry the supposedly heavy-themed storyline to a comfortable rhythm and it falls behind painfully slow. The saviour of this movie would only be Anthony Hopkin's remarkable acting, in which one scene has his character pokes fun at the fabricated possession signs as portrayed in "The Exorcist" movie. If one looks closely enough, there are quite a few of subliminal messages that will make some of the audience question their own inner strength such as the dream scenes and eerily odd circumstances featured to bring the message of the devil as a deceiver. Besides that, there are some sneak peeks to the insights of Vatican City for the curious souls out there.

Regardless, viewers do not need to understand Christian demonology or being a Christian to catch the drift of this movie. Recommended for fans of exorcism and demonic possession-themed movies, moviegoers who crave for a decent horror treat as well as fans of Anthony Hopkins.

Cinema Online, 16 February 2011