The Rite
New Line Cinema | Release Date: January 28, 2011 CRITIC SCORE DISTRIBUTION
38
METASCORE
Generally unfavorable reviews based on 33 Critic Reviews
Positive:
7
Mixed:
14
Negative:
12
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Critic Reviews

Critic scorePublicationBy date
75
San Francisco ChronicleAmy BiancolliJan 27, 2011
For all the hellfire histrionics and well-timed jump scares, there is actual, admirable intellect behind The Rite. Read full review
75
Chicago Sun-TimesRoger EbertJan 26, 2011
I admire The Rite because while it delivers what I suppose should be called horror, it is atmospheric, its cinematography is eerie and evocative, and the actors enrich it. Read full review
65
MovielineStephanie ZacharekJan 27, 2011
Hopkins is having a blast, and he's fun to watch. Read full review
63
St. Louis Post-DispatchKevin C. JohnsonJan 27, 2011
That's right - this is an exorcism movie that those who actually saw "The Exorcist" in theaters can get into. Read full review
63
ReelViewsJames BerardinelliJan 27, 2011
It's refreshing to find a horror movie interested in more than slashing and gashing. Read full review
63
Philadelphia InquirerSteven ReaJan 27, 2011
As Hopkins himself goes wild-eyed and FX-ed with popping veins, The Rite gives up on asking us to take it seriously. Read full review
63
Chicago TribuneMichael PhillipsJan 27, 2011
For an hour The Rite, as scripted by Michael Petroni, delivers the expected, but with panache. Read full review
60
EmpireDamon WiseFeb 21, 2011
Just don't walk in expecting to become a believer by the end. Read full review
60
SalonAndrew O'HehirJan 27, 2011
If it's a nonsensical patchwork quilt, it's mostly a watchable one. Read full review
60
Chicago ReaderAndrea GronvallJan 27, 2011
Horror fans may be disappointed by this handsome exorcism drama, which aspires to the serious religious feeling of William Friedkin's "The Exorcist" but delivers little of its shock or gore. Read full review
60
Arizona RepublicBill GoodykoontzJan 26, 2011
Hafstrom creates a nice, creepy vibe, especially for the first part of the movie, which has a menacing atmosphere. Too bad he doesn't sustain it. Read full review
50
USA TodayScott BowlesJan 27, 2011
A flimsy, occasionally spooky demon tale. Read full review
50
Orlando SentinelRoger MooreJan 26, 2011
Only Hopkins, readily referencing his bag of tricks, seems to get what to make of this "inspired by trues events (and a book by Matt Baglio)" hooey. Read full review
50
VarietyJoe LeydonJan 25, 2011
While marred by cheap tricks and borderline camp, picture comes off as a largely low-key, intelligent effort. Read full review
42
The A.V. ClubKeith PhippsJan 27, 2011
Kudos to The Rite for thinking outside the usual goat/pentagram/black-candles box for its satanic imagery, but is a mule really the best it could manage? Read full review
40
TimeRichard CorlissJan 29, 2011
The Rite is all windup, weak delivery. Read full review
40
Boxoffice MagazineSara Maria VizcarrondoJan 27, 2011
The Rite might have been more affecting if the performances gave just a hint that its histrionics were more than just that. Read full review
40
The New York TimesStephen HoldenJan 27, 2011
Dull, pretentiously verbose movie. Read full review
40
Wall Street JournalJoe MorgensternJan 27, 2011
Mr. Hopkins gives the production what he was hired for. Whenever you wonder how much longer he can trade on Hannibal Lecter's special zest, the same answer comes up-a lot. Read full review
40
The Hollywood ReporterFrank ScheckJan 25, 2011
The Rite becomes more ludicrous as it goes along, with more than a few lines of dialogue from Michael Petroni's over-the-top screenplay eliciting unintended titters. Read full review
40
Village VoiceNick PinkertonJan 25, 2011
Michael's motivations remain arbitrary and inscrutable, right down to his entry into the seminary. This is brought up by a number of characters, who interpret his implausible career decision as A Sign. It is-of bad writing. Read full review
38
The Globe and Mail (Toronto)Liam LaceyJan 28, 2011
Some of the most memorable performances from great actors are also their worst: Add to that list Anthony Hopkins's turn as a sinister old Jesuit. Read full review
38
Boston GlobeTy BurrJan 27, 2011
The movie's primary pleasure is Hopkins, who manages to take the role of Father Lucas seriously without being serious about it at all. Read full review
30
Austin ChronicleMarjorie BaumgartenFeb 2, 2011
Delivers sinister atmosphere but few shocks. Read full review
25
Rolling StonePeter TraversJan 28, 2011
It's hard to deny that The Rite is guilty of sins against its audience. Read full review
25
New York PostLou LumenickJan 28, 2011
The sort of misfire that Hollywood has long buried in January. Read full review
25
Tampa Bay TimesSteve PersallJan 27, 2011
Yes, there is a hell, and this movie is showing at its local multiplex. Read full review
25
Entertainment WeeklyOwen GleibermanJan 26, 2011
The Rite commits the supreme sin of making the devil dull. Read full review
25
ObserverUna LaMarcheJan 25, 2011
The bottom line is, whether you worship God, Satan, Xenu or Ron Paul, The Rite gets it wrong. Read full review
20
New York Daily NewsJoe NeumaierJan 28, 2011
Terminally silly, even more so for being "inspired by actual events." Read full review
20
Time OutJoshua RothkopfJan 25, 2011
Hollywood's hocus-pocus machine has turned out swill like this before, but even ultra-observant Catholics will find their interest waning. Hammy acting should make nonbelievers of the rest. Read full review
15
NPRIan BuckwalterJan 28, 2011
Hafstrom, on the other hand, has some serious work ahead of him if he wants any kind of absolution after this wreck. Read full review
12
Washington PostSean O\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\'ConnellJan 28, 2011
Hafstrom largely ignores the progress made by his demon-banishing predecessors and delivers a palatable PG-13 thriller that's safe, soft and sinfully cliched. Read full review
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