Stigmata

Starring: Patricia Arquette, Gabriel Byrne, Nia Long
Directed by: Rupert Wainwright
Rating: R
Genre: Horror, Drama
1999

Times Seen:
Tim: 2

Summary: A Vatican priest (Gabriel Byrne) investigates a young atheist woman (Patricia Arquette) who claims to be experiencing stigmata.

Review:

Tim: This is one of those creepy, atmospheric religious horror films that should be really intense and really good. As we will find, this is not necessarily true. The movie has all the right elements- a woman in danger, as well as a frightening religious subject matter that scares you because of its possibilities as well as the fact that it is teetering on blasphemy. Here, we are given a creepy premise- what would happen if an atheist woman suddenly began having stigmata, a paranormal phenomenon that is reserved for only the most devout Catholics. This sets the film up wonderfully although it ultimately topples onto itself.

Patricia Arquette is decent enough in the lead role, but she has never really impressed me, and she didn't do so here. A better actress might have made the movie more enjoyable, although Arquette is convincing enough in the role. Gabriel Byrne is very good as the investigative priest. He is always good in these religious-overtones movies (whether he is a man of God or the Prince of Darkness himself in End of Days). He is easily the most enjoyable thing about this movie.

The actual occurrence of the stigmata is frightening and extremely well done. Its depiction is oftentimes gruesome, but never in a gratuitous way. This is where the film frightens you the most.

Sadly,Stigmata seems to be going in one direction, but ultimately ends up on the same old path that many of these religious films find themselves on. The end fizzles out, and anything positive that the movie built up just falls apart. The movie is not bad, but not original or clever enough to be very good.

Rating 1-10
Tim's Rating: 7



If You Enjoyed This Movie, We Recommend:
End of Days, Lost Souls, Constantine