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The Penitent

The Penitent

1988 1h 30mHorrorDramaThrillerCrime

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.

3.3/5

TMDB score· 5 votes

Synopsis

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.

The vibe

blasphemypassion playmocking faith

Behind it

Cliff OsmondCliff OsmondDirectorAlex NorthAlex NorthComposerRobin VidgeonCinematography

Cast

Raúl JuliáRaúl JuliáRamon Guerola
Armand AssanteArmand AssanteJuan Mateo
Martin LaSalleMartin LaSalleMiguel
Rona De RicciCelia Guerola
Julie CarmenJulie CarmenCorina
Demián BichirDemián BichirRoberto
Tina RomeroTina RomeroSusana
Justo MartínezJusto MartínezEnfermero
Enrique NoviEnrique NoviJose

Director

Cliff Osmond

Writer

Cliff Osmond

Release date

27 May 1988

Runtime

1h 30m

Studio

The Vista Organization, Ithaca

Language

English

Countries

Mexico,United States of America

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