The Penitent
HorrorDramaThrillerCrime
6.6
6.61h 30m
May 27, 1988
Overview
The Penitent (1988) isn’t faith-affirming drama—it’s lurid exploitation mocking Catholic penitents. In a devout New Mexico/Mexico village reenacting Christ’s Passion (flagellation, crucifixion), jealous husband Ramon (Raúl Juliá) joins fanatical Penitentes while his virginal wife Celia falls for ex-con friend Juan (Armand Assante), sparking deadly love triangle amid rituals. Directed by Cliff Osmond, it sensationalizes "primitive brutal" self-mortification as barbaric cult, blending sex, betrayal, and gore—not exploring redemption or biblical penance. Secular gaze shames Hispanic Catholic traditions as repressed pathology. Cherry-picks extremism to caricature piety, ignoring healthy devotion. Obscure PG-13 thriller for grindhouse fans, not believers.
Director
Cliff Osmond
Cast
Raúl Juliá
Ramon Guerola
Armand Assante
Juan Mateo
Martin LaSalle
Miguel
R
Rona De Ricci
Celia Guerola
Julie Carmen
Corina
Demián Bichir
Roberto
Tina Romero
Susana
Similar Movies
5.6
Sirens
1994
6.9
Bad Boy Bubby
1993
0.0
The Pulpit - Prelude
2022
6.8
Jesus of Montreal
1989
7.5
The Holy Mountain
1973
6.7
Lunacy
2005
4.5
Chariot
2022
0.0
The Happy Children
2011
6.2
Multiple Maniacs
1970
7.9
The Last Supper
1976
7.0
The Playground
1965
6.0
Kielletty kirja
1965
4.0
Get Up and Eat
2020
9.0
Jesus Christ Superstar
1972
5.4
The Duel
2024
0.0
The Passion
2004
5.9
Long Live Death
1971
7.4
The Devils
1971
0.0
Laïcité, l'exception française - 120 ans, et maintenant ?
2025
6.2
Crescent City
2024
