The Unholy
Screen Gems | Release Date: April 2, 2021 CRITIC SCORE DISTRIBUTION
36
METASCORE
Generally unfavorable reviews based on 15 Critic Reviews
Positive:
1
Mixed:
9
Negative:
5
Watch Now
Buy on
Stream On
Stream On
Stream On
Stream On
Expand

Critic Reviews

Critic scorePublicationBy date
50
RogerEbert.comSheila O'MalleyApr 2, 2021
The Unholy is not designed to be deep, but since glimmers of depth are present, the lack of follow-up makes this a disappointing watch. Read full review
50
The Hollywood ReporterDavid RooneyApr 1, 2021
After an intriguing setup that takes its time building atmosphere and characters, declining to rush the first death, the film becomes progressively more overwrought and hokey. It also loads up on derivative tropes that worked better everywhere from Ringu through The Conjuring Universe. Read full review
50
IGNKristy PuchkoApr 1, 2021
There are moments in The Unholy that strive for shocking, even sacrilegious. But Spiliotopoulos lacks either the imagination or the guts to create something truly soul-rattling. Read full review
50
Movie NationRoger MooreApr 1, 2021
The effects are top notch and there are some chills in it. It’s just that the picture loses itself and any momentum it has in “explaining” these wonders and healings as the work of a Mary who isn’t the “Virgin Mary” all involved assume it is. Read full review
45
The Globe and Mail (Toronto)Barry HertzApr 1, 2021
Eventually, The Unholy reveals itself not to be an entertaining ride to Hell but an earnest sales pitch for the power of Christ. Fair enough. But for Easter 2021, I was hoping for something a little more enjoyably demonic and less been-there-redeemed-that. Let us pray. Read full review
45
SlashfilmChris EvangelistaApr 1, 2021
Whenever The Unholy wants to scare you, it simply enters internet screamer territory, complete with ghoul faces rushing directly into the camera as loud noises boom from somewhere. Outside of these admittedly startling moments, The Unholy unfolds sedately, and sometimes incoherently. Read full review
40
Austin ChronicleMatthew MonagleApr 1, 2021
It’s a credit to Brown, Morgan, and Sadler that the story works at all. These actors maintain the illusion that The Unholy is a competent horror movie for far longer than it deserves. But in the end, there are just too many pieces missing to make this a coherent whole. Read full review
40
Screen DailyFionnuala HalliganApr 1, 2021
This religious-themed horror based around the phenomena of Marian apparitions has an intriguing premise but cuts too many corners in its catechism. Read full review
40
Los Angeles TimesRobert DanielsApr 1, 2021
Laboriously paced, the indulgent jolts and bloodless scares, neither deeply rooted nor artfully raised, float as lifelessly as a lily pad on a bog. Read full review
More From This Movie

36 Critic Reviews

4.7 User Reviews

Details & Credits|Trailers

Current Movie Releases
By MetascoreBy User Score
1 77 Project Hail Mary
2 75 Send Help
3 73 Hoppers
4 71 The Sheep Detectives
5 68 Crime 101
SEE ALL
Essential Links
New on Amazon Prime Video
New on Netflix
Coming Soon to DVD/Blu-ray
SEE ALL