The Rite’s commendable restraint and serious intent will find some adherents, as it attempts to swim against the tide of over-the-top horrors, but despite a strong cast and expensive production, it’s still just a hoary variation on The Exorcist.
Though it's doubtful this will be remembered as a horror touchstone in years to come, there's enough entertainment to be found within.
Slow and laboured to start with, this sober spooker gets better once it realises its true calling and lets its star off the leash.
Once it begins, there's no escape from the obscure biblical texts, children taking on deep voices, holy water sprinkles and frequent assurances that the devil likes nothing better than a holiday in someone else's body.
A daft horror film worth seeing only for [Anthony Hopkins].
At the end, we're informed that the priests are based on real-life figures, as if that would make this hokum any more believable.
This cornball tale of demonic possession is "inspired by true events", "suggested by" a book by Matt Baglio and almost certainly prompted by back-to-back viewings of The Exorcist and the second Da Vinci Code movie.
Handsomely mounted slab of pure hokum.
There ain't nothing right with The Rite.
Hopkins at least has fun hamming things up, but the film around him simply goes through the motions.
Earnestly sober and extremely dull.
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General release. Check local listings for show times.
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