Film
The Penitent
1988 · 1h 30m · Horror · Drama · Thriller
- IMDb
- 6.5
On Vescene
No Vescene ratings yet — sign in and be the first.
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.
Cast
Raúl Juliá
Ramon Guerola
Armand Assante
Juan Mateo
Martin LaSalle
Miguel
Rona De Ricci
Celia Guerola
Julie Carmen
Corina
Demián Bichir
Roberto
Tina Romero
Susana
Justo Martínez
Enfermero
Enrique Novi
Jose
Crew
- Cliff OsmondDirector · Writer
- Robin VidgeonDirector of Photography
- Alex NorthOriginal Music Composer
Details
- Release date
- May 27, 1988
- Status
- Released
- Original language
- English
- Runtime
- 1h 30m
- Rated
- 15
- Genres
- Horror, Drama, Thriller, Crime
Similar films
The Devils
1971
Laïcité, l'exception française - 120 ans, et maintenant ?
2025
Multiple Maniacs
1970
The Holy Mountain
1973
Sirens
1994
Chariot
2022
Jesus of Montreal
1989
Bad Boy Bubby
1993
The Pulpit - Prelude
2022
The Happy Children
2011
Lunacy
2005
The Last Supper
1976
Rate it on Vescene
Rate films and shows on two axes — quality and fun — and share taste with friends.