The Rite

Filmmaker Mikael Håfström's psychological thriller, based on Matt Baglio's titular nonfiction book, is about a seminary student who reluctantly attends exorcism school at the Vatican. The story opens with a skeptical Michael Kovak (Colin O'Donoghue) being dispatched by his advisor, Father Matthew (Toby Jones), to Rome to attend a two-month exorcism class. Once there, Kovak befriends journalist Angeline Vargas (Alice Braga) while repeatedly sparring with pious Father Xavier (Ciarán Hinds)—with Kovak insisting that victims of demonic possession are suffering from psychiatric problems rather than a spiritual crisis. Father Xavier sends Kovak off to observe unorthodox but devout Father Lucas Trevant (Anthony Hopkins) as he exorcises pregnant 16-year-old Rosaria (Marta Gastini), who was raped by her father. While inspired by true events, The Rite ultimately devolves into cliché-riddled drivel, although Hopkins' low-key performance is credible. Optional. [Note: DVD/Blu-ray extras include additional scenes (13 min.) and trailers. Exclusive to the Blu-ray release are “Soldier of God” accounts of real-life exorcism stories (7 min.), an alternate ending (2 min.), bonus DVD and digital copies of the film, and the BD-Live function. Bottom line: a small extras package for a disappointing thriller.] (S. Granger)