The Rite is a 2011 American supernatural horror film directed by Mikael Håfström and written by Michael Petroni. It is based on Matt Baglio's book The Rite: The Making of a Modern Exorcist,which itself is based on allegedly real events with Father Gary Thomas. The film stars Anthony Hopkins, Colin O'Donoghue, Alice Braga and Rutger Hauer. Shot in Rome and Budapest,
it was released on January 28, 2011.
Director: Mikael Håfström
Writers: Michael Petroni, Matt Baglio (book) (suggestion)
Stars: Colin O'Donoghue, Anthony Hopkins and Ciarán Hinds
"The battle against the Devil, which is the principal task of Saint
Michael the Archangel, is still being fought today, because the Devil is
still alive and active in the world." -Pope John Paul II "The Rite" is a
supernatural thriller that uncovers the Devil's reach to even one of
the holiest places on Earth. Inspired by true events, the film follows
seminary student Michael Kovak (Colin O'Donoghue), who is sent to study
exorcism at the Vatican in spite of his own doubts about the
controversial
practice and even his own
faith. Wearing his deep skepticism like armor, Michael challenges his
superiors to look to psychiatry, rather than demons, in treating the
possessed. Only when he's sent to apprentice with the unorthodox Father
Lucas (Anthony Hopkins)--a legendary priest who has performed thousands
of exorcisms--does Michael's armor begin to fall. As he is drawn into a
troubling case that seems to transcend even Father Lucas's skill, he
begins to glimpse a phenomenon science can't explain or control...and an
evil so violent and terrifying that it forces him to question
everything he believes. Directed by Mikael Håfström ("1408"), "The Rite"
stars Oscar (R) winner Anthony Hopkins ("Silence of the Lambs"), Colin
O'Donoghue in his feature film debut, Alice Braga ("Predators"), Toby
Jones ("Frost/Nixon"), with Ciarán Hinds ("Harry Potter and the Deathly
Hallows - Part 2"), and Rutger Hauer ("Batman Begins," "Blade Runner").
Beau Flynn and Tripp Vinson ("The Exorcism of Emily Rose") produced the
film under their Contrafilm banner. The screenplay is by Michael Petroni
("The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader"), suggested
by the book by Matt Baglio. Richard Brener, Merideth Finn and Robert
Bernacchi serve as executive producers, with Mark Tuohy co-producing.
New Line Cinema presents, a Contrafilm production, a Mikael Håfström
film, "The Rite." The film will be distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures,
a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company. This film has been rated PG-13
for disturbing thematic material, violence, frightening images and
language including sexual references.
