The Penitent
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.
Release date
27/05/1988
Votes
5
Popularity
0.9
Original Soundtrack
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The Devils
Multiple Maniacs
The Last Supper
The Holy Mountain
The Happy Children
Bad Boy Bubby
Jesus of Montreal
Chariot
Sirens
The Pulpit - Prelude
Lunacy
Long Live Death
Laïcité, l'exception française - 120 ans, et maintenant ?
Crescent City
One Fast Move
The Children of Golgatha
Holy Hell
Visions of Ecstasy
Jesus Christ Superstar
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