The Rite Reaction

The Rite- Thank you so much for another great movie reaction, Clint! I really enjoy this fantastic movie very much myself, and I'm so happy you really enjoyed this movie a lot too. And I truly appreciate your insights throughout this movie and afterwards. This movie is so well acted from each of the main actors. Anthony Hopkins is always phenomenal in all his movies, and Colin O'Donoghue as Michael is phenomenal as well. He has quickly risen to become one of my favorite actors for a number of reasons, but mostly for how beautifully he is able to show such range of emotions, on his face and in his eyes. Colin O'Donoghue is a very Irish actor, who has a very Irish accent for real, while he uses an American accent upon taking on this role of Michael. And once he did take on this role, Colin O'Donoghue actually sat in on an exorcism for inspiration, and so he could learn all he could about this sacred ritual. So he could come to understand the truth behind it and demonic possessions. It's crazy, but he talks about witnessing this exercism as one of the most powerful, emotional, spiritual, and inspiring experiences of his entire life. Now... Colin O'Donoghue is best known for his role in Once Upon a Time, which is where I've gotten to know him as an actor. I won't tell you who he plays in the show, in case you do ever come back to watching it again. I want you to be able to find out for yourself who he plays. Nonetheless... he's just phenomenal in both roles, and incredible at showing deep emotions such as he does in both The Rite and in Once Upon a Time. In spite of my reservations with watching horror movies, I initially chose to watch this movie for the first time because I really wanted to see more with Colin O'Donoghue in it. And I'm so glad that I did because I really came to love this movie. Like I've said... I'm not typically a fan of horror movies, but I do love thrillers such as The Rite, and Frequency as well... because both of these movie have a really good storyline with powerful messages behind them. I love that The Rite is about a man who struggles so deeply with finding his faith in God, and struggles to understand what and in who he truly believes in. I love seeing his struggles with faith, until we finally come to see him find his strength through the show of him bending the cross back. So many people in the world struggle deeply with faith. Some very deeply just like Michael did. Myself included. And by the end, we learn that it isn't so much that he just doesn't believe in God, although he does struggle with his belief, but it's more so that he struggles the most to believe in himself and in his own strengths. Just like I do, as do everyone at some point in their lives. I think this is what drew me into this movie so much, outside of simply watching it for Colin O'Donoghue. Faith is difficult for everyone and while I do believe in God, I struggle deeply with believing in myself and in my strengths, and therefore my own faith is shaken. As it's been for a long time now. As for exorcisms themselves... I don't really know how I feel towards them in all honesty. I do know they're very real. Especially upon coming to discover that this movie is inspired and based on true events, which is crazy! But I'm not sure I can believe in demons possessing people like we see in this movie. I believe there is evil in the world and that the devil is real of course, but that he tempts us through our sins and we choose whether or not to fall for his lies. It's definitely an interesting subject for an in depth discussion. As for my favorite scenes throughout this movie... I love the scene in the beginning when the young woman on the bike is struck by the van after the priest trips in front of it, as Michael is asked by her to read her her last rites before she dies. This moment for him is very profound and it's a very tender, yet intense moment within the movie. And so sad. I absolutely believe that it was right of Michael to read the young woman her last rites in spite of his struggles with his faith, because he helped her find peace in her final moments. And I feel that this must have meant everything to her before she sadly died. I love the scenes upon Michael learning of his father's death when he's being haunted and tormented by the demon in all of his attempts to tear Michael's soul apart in order to draw him down the dark path. When he's seeing the demon's visions, when Michael talks to his father who had died six hours earlier and then breaks down upon learning so, and upon learning that the boy had predicted his father's death the night before. I really love Michael's fight to try to understand why he's being tormented by these hallucinations and to find his belief. Also... I really love the very end, as Michael finally believes in himself and in God as he fights against the demon possessing Father Lucas to free his soul. So intense and so well acted by both Colin O'Donoghue and Anthony Hopkins. As well as Alice Braga who plays Angelina. Thank you again, so much for this marvelous reaction once again, Clint! Your reactions are always so enjoyable to watch and I am so, so happy to be able to continue requesting movies from you. If you would ever like to discuss anything at all with me, or you have any questions about the shows you watch and the movies I suggest for you... please send me a message any time. Thank you! Sincerely, Heidi

Heidi Elizabeth Marcum