Movie trailers for ‘The Rite’ show Anthony Hopkins in yet another eerie role, but this is not the first time that the topic of exorcism has appeared in the movie theater. In this article, you will encounter other movies that mention or depict exorcisms, including Stigmata and Constantine.
‘The Rite’ (2011)
This supernatural thriller focuses on the experiences of a young seminary student who explores the power of faith after he is drafted to an Exorcism School at the Vatican. In the process, he encounters the forces of darkness. A nonfiction book written by Matt Baglio, which was titled the same, served as inspiration for the movie.
‘Constantine’ (2005)
With a talent for pinpointing half-angels and half-demons in their true form, John Constantine is on a quest for salvation from eternal damnation in Hell. He’s damned to pay for a suicide attempt in his younger days, so Constantine has become an exorcist , sending demons back to Hell in an effort to earn a place in Heaven. In this film, Keanu Reeves plays John Constantine.
‘The Exorcism of Emily Rose’ (2005)
When a lawyer takes on a negligent homicide case involving a priest who performed an exorcism on a young girl, her faith is questioned. The death of Emily Rose is connected to an exorcism performed on her by a priest who is blamed. Since no one wants to believe what the Father says is true, the lawyer must find a way to chip away at the truth. The movie featured Jennifer Carpenter as Emily Rose, Tom Wilkinson as the priest, and Laura Linney as the lawyer.
It is reported that ever since the release of the film, an urban legend started at the University of Minnesota. The legend stated that Pioneer Hall was a haunted dorm that saw the beginning signs of Emily Rose’s possession. However, Emily Rose was a fictional character whose life was loosely based on Anneliese Michel, a young woman who never attended the school, and lived in Germany.
‘The Last Exorcism’ (2010)
The movie focuses on a troubled evangelical minister who gives permission for a documentary crew to film his last exorcism. The plot is set in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where Reverend Cotton Marcus has a long history of religion. His father was a preacher and he was raised to follow in his footsteps. His life is of interest to a film crew.
Although he performs exorcisms, he thinks they are frauds. He believes they are good for believers because they believe that casting out demons is possible. When a father asks the Reverend to perform an exorcism in his daughter, he takes the opportunity to prove his words. He and the crew travel to the farmer’s home, where he exposes his ‘tricks’ to the camera. However, they soon discover that there is more to the family than it seems.
‘Stigmata’ (1999)
Patricia Arquette stars as Frankie, a hairdresser afflicted with stigmata in this supernatural horror movie. After acquiring a rosary that once belonged to a deceased Italian priest that also suffered from the phenomena, Frankie begins to experience changes. The movie shows Frankie suffering deep wounds on her wrists, as well as a disturbing scene that shows signs of whipping on her skin. Other actors in the movie include Gabriel Byrne (as a Vatican official investigating her case) and Jonathan Pryce (as a corrupt Catholic Church official).