The Order
Devorador de pecados
2003 · United States, Germany · 102 min
- Director
- Brian Helgeland
- Screenplay
- Brian Helgeland
- Music
- David Torn
- Cinematography
- Nicola Pecorini
- Editing
- Kevin Stitt
- Production company
- 20th Century Studios
Cast
What it is about
Alex Bernier is a disillusioned priest in the Carolingian Order, an ancient sect devoted to fighting demons and performing exorcisms. When his superior, Father Dominic, dies under suspicious circumstances in Rome, Cardinal Driscoll sends Alex to the city to investigate. Alex travels with Mara, an artist he once exorcised and who had attacked him during the rite. Examining the body, Alex finds strange markings that lead him to a little-known figure in Catholic tradition: the sin-eater, someone able to absolve the dead outside the Church's authority. His search brings him into conflict with Vatican officials and a world of secrets that challenges his faith and his place within it.
How it was made
Brian Helgeland wrote and directed the film, having previously worked with Heath Ledger, Mark Addy and Shannyn Sossamon on A Knight's Tale in 2001. Shot largely in Rome, it was a co-production between the United States and Germany, released through 20th Century Studios. David Torn composed the score, Nicola Pecorini shot the photography and Kevin Stitt edited. The film mixes investigative thriller and supernatural horror, using a gloomy, solemn look for its ecclesiastical settings.
Reception and legacy
The film was released in the United States on September 5, 2003, and received very negative reviews. On Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, it scored 21 out of 100, indicating generally unfavorable notices. Peter Travers of Rolling Stone called it The Exorcist warmed over, while Stephen Holden of The New York Times described it as a murky ecclesiastical horror film weighed down by its own bogus solemnity. It has little commercial or critical legacy today, and is mainly remembered as one of Heath Ledger's films before his breakout success.
Stills
Trailer
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More films by Brian Helgeland
A Knight's Tale
Payback
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