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Movie Info & Details
Release Year1988
Runtime1h 30m
LanguageEnglish
Certification15
GenresHorror, Drama, Thriller
Votes5
DirectorCliff Osmond
WritersCliff Osmond
TypeFeature Film
Rating6.6 out of 10
Cast9 credited
Also Known AsThe Penitent
About The Penitent
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.
Directed by Cliff Osmond, The Penitent leans on a strong ensemble — Raúl Juliá, Armand Assante, Martin LaSalle — to carry a story that balances spectacle with character.
The film landed with audiences for its craft and performances, and remains one of the most talked-about horror titles of 1988.
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