It's not even remotely scary, but it's pretty good. Anthony Hopkins makes this a strong exorcism pic.

Anthony Hopkins is worse than ever in this very long, boring, and at some times just plain offensive horror film. It plays very much by the book the entire way through and its entire last third is completely unnecessary. There is not much more to say except early contender for worst of the year. No Stars

What was offensive?

I'm maybe catching a matinee of this today. I wonder if I'll be as "offended" as jmovies...

I was planning on checking this out, but I'm thinking it's better to wait for it to hit DVD.

The Rite is a demonic-possession suspense film in the vein of The Last Exorcism and, of course, The Exorcist, the 38-year-old religious hair-raiser which remains the finest example of the sub-genre. Directed by Mikael Hafstrom (1408) and "suggested" by a nonfiction account by Matt Baglio, this film stars Colin O’Donoghue as Michael Kovak, an American seminarian who is, naturally, flirting with atheism and in search of evidence of God's existence. Sent by a concerned superior (Toby Jones) to Rome to learn the rite of exorcism, Michael meets Father Lucas Trevant (Anthony Hopkins), an unorthodox Welsh Jesuit and veteran exorcist. What transpires next is predictable: Michael witnesses his first exorcism, performed by Father Lucas on a pregnant Italian girl (Marta Gastini), then begins to experience frightening and surreal visions which force him to reevaluate his doubt, and so on and so forth.

Hafstrom and cinematographer Ben Davis (Kick-Ass) use their atmospheric, attractive Roman locations well. Screenwriter Michael Petroni (The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader) seems to have at least a passing interest in the ongoing conversation between religion and science, though this intelligence vanishes in time for a CGI-driven, fairly banal third act. I must admit, as an atheist and proud owner of The God Delusion, I was rooting for Michael as he urged the other men of the cloth to consider psychiatric explanations for suspected cases of possession, even though I was never less than aware where the film was headed. I just wish the film's end game relied more on the unknown, on atmosphere and the suggestion of unseen terror, rather than Linda Blair-lite bellowing and exaggerated digital contortion.

In his first major film role, Colin O’Donoghue delivers a compelling and understated performance. He's in almost every scene and never misses a beat. The top-billed Anthony Hopkins is fine. It is common knowledge Hopkins, while an acting legend, isn't always the most discerning talent on earth (read: if there's cash on the table, he'll show up and do yet another variation on Hannibal Lecter or his taciturn Remains of the Day character), but he seems to be having a degree of genuine fun here, even when he's called upon to go to absurd extremes ("kissy lips!") during the film's final reels.

Overall, The Rite is flawed, but not without value.

B-

I thought it was interesting. It didn't hurt that Colin O’Donoghue is gorgeous. He certainly kept my interest . Would have preferred it to not go into the over-the-top direction it eventually did, but alas, it was to be expected so I can't really complain about it. That's what most viewers watching this will want.

Anyway, it's certainly worth a rental if it interests you.

7/10 (B-)

I thought this is about Bergman's Riten (1969)