Cinematical Seven: Religious Thrillers That Rule
By Eugene Novikov
Posted Jan 27th 2011


The Rite, opening tomorrow, is a particularly interesting specimen, since it constantly tightrope-walks that line between eerie and cheesy. The Exorcist is its obvious inspiration, and for good reason.

Below the fold, we offer seven less canonical examples of religious horror that works:







1. The Ninth Gate (1999)


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Three decades after Rosemary's Baby, Polanski went back to the well with this wonderful, unbelievably undervalued occult horror flick.

Ambiguous, somewhat incomprehensible, but beautiful and endlessly engrossing, the movie – set in lush libraries and mansions and possibly a castle – effortlessly combines the classy and the silly.

It also features a classic musical score by Polish composer Wojciech Kilar.










2. Stigmata (1999)


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This one may be mostly for religious mumbo-jumbo junkies, but it's pretty good.

Moody and stylish, it does the job as a horror film but also ends up halfway-thoughtfully considering the problem of corruption within religious institutions – even as it makes mincemeat of Catholic theology.

Fun stuff.










3. The Devil's Advocate (1997)


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Yes, Keanu is a problem, and the ending is a cheat, but this intense, impressively committed movie has too many pleasures to deny.

If nothing else, groove on Al Pacino hamming it up as the Devil himself, shouting lots of exquisitely written nonsense about God and free will.










4. The Last Exorcism (2010)


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Of the films on this list, The Last Exorcism is the closest cousin of this weekend's The Rite, in that one of its pleasures is trying to figure out whether there is in fact anything supernatural going on.

Daniel Stamm's film is better, largely because it maintains the mystery longer, not tipping its hand until the abrupt, vaguely disappointing ending.










5. Constantine (2005)


http://i879.photobucket.com/albums/ab358/JamesGrec1/Constantine-Caratula.jpg



If the first three films on this list were too silly for you, then don't even bother with this completely ridiculous phantasmagoria, where it turns out that Jesus was killed by the Spear of Destiny, which is now hidden somewhere in Mexico.

There is also Tilda Swinton as the winged Archangel Gabriel, which is nothing if not interesting.










6. The House of the Devil (2009)


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Though very few people saw it, this is one of the last decade's very best horror films.

The House of the Devil is 80 minutes of extraordinary atmospheric build-up to 15 minutes of incredibly satisfying pay-off.










7. The Rapture (1991)


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It's almost impossible to blurb this profound and utterly singular movie – along with The Last Temptation of Christ, the most sincere and probing cinematic examination of Christianity and its philosophical implications, in mesmerizing thriller form.

If you haven't seen it, this is your weekend viewing. It is unforgettable

http://blog.moviefone.com/2011/01/27/cinematical-seven-religious-thrillers-that-rule/

6. The House of the Devil (2009)


The House of the Devil is 80 minutes of extraordinary atmospheric build-up to 15 minutes of incredibly satisfying pay-off.



I'd say it's 80 minutes of boring build-up with little to no payoff.

I'd say it's 80 minutes of boring build-up with little to no payoff.

Never saw it so I can't comment on that one.

However, I did like hearing about their VHS release promotion.

Never saw it so I can't comment on that one.

However, I did like hearing about their VHS release promotion.

I had such high hopes for it because of all the hype. It blows my mind that so many people actually like it.

I had such high hopes for it because of all the hype. It blows my mind that so many people actually like it.

Yeah, the movie's reception seems to be generally positive; both from mainstream and horror critics.

Yeah, the movie's reception seems to be generally positive; both from mainstream and horror critics.

Its premise is very similar to Babysitter Wanted, which I liked, because stuff actually happened so it didn't bore me to death.

I love House Of The Devil, it's one of my favorite horror films released in the 2000's.