Simon Dillon reviews the film

Let's get the inevitable comparison with The Exorcist out of the way: it's nowhere near as good. I use the word "good" here with reference to artistic quality rather than spiritual outlook, for whilst The Exorcist is the greatest horror film ever made (I will brook no argument with that) from a spiritual perspective it is a frustating disappointment. Let me be clear: it isn't so much the violent, obscenity spewing antics of Linda Blair that I have an issue with so much as the way God is ultimately not involved in defeating the demon. In fact, he is arguably seen as powerless.

By contrast, The Rite has a much more positive view of God's involvement in the overcoming of evil, albeit with a depiction of demonic power that is far stronger than it is in reality - a necessary exaggeration for dramatic purposes. But The Rite is still nowhere near scary enough. The evangelistic potential of a film as unflinchingly, stomach churningly terrifying as The Exorcist, combined with a spiritual outlook of a film like The Rite would make for a phenomenal piece of creative evangelism.

Still, it's not a total loss. Director Mikael Hafstrom tries hard, initially at least, to give some seriousness to the familiar tale of sceptical apprentice priest with dead mother issues Michael (Colin O'Donoghue) studying to be an exorcist under the instruction of old hand Father Lucas (Anthony Hopkins). Hopkins is enjoyably over the top, and there are some decent-ish bit parts for Ciaran Hinds, Alice Braga, Toby Jones and even good old Rutger Hauer. Fine use of locations (Rome and the Vatican) doesn't hurt either.

To be fair, there are some moderate scares, and whilst some Christians will no doubt miss the point by picking theological nits (dealing with demonic possession in real life isn't generally a big deal), it's not boring, and the spiritual themes are well developed. In fact, The Rite is a parable that illustrates Acts chapter 19 verses 14 to 16; an account of Jewish exorcists who attempted to use the name of Jesus to cast out demons. As those exorcists discovered, its no good saying the words, you have to believe them. There are also lengthy passages of the film where characters have to overcome the "accuser of the brethren" (Revelation 12 verse 10) where a demonically possessed character tells them uncomfortable truths from their past.

In the end, The Rite is only mildly disturbing for horror fans used to the likes of The Exorcist, but the Christian message is loud and clear. Therefore, as a piece of creative evangelism it works well enough.