South Africa / Jul 24, 2025 / Durban International Film Festival
A masochistic ex-convict forms an unlikely connection with a Catholic priest in Lancashire, 1986.
23min
Overall average
5.0/10
Trailer
Videos
Plot
John, released from prison into the unforgiving North-West of 1986, finds himself abandoned by his family and homeless. When John returns to his childhood church, he comes across Father Upton preaching fire and brimstone from the pulpit, and becomes enthralled by the display of sadism. Believing himself worthy of the divine punishment that Upton offers, John pursues the priest and attempts to provoke him, through a most heinous act.
Technical details
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Original title | The Penitential Act |
| Original language | English (EN) |
| Spoken languages | English |
| Production countries | United Kingdom |
| Status | Released |
| Release date | 24 luglio 2025 |
| Production | Spandana Patanaik |
| Writer | Ben Lyons |
| Editing | Alexander Emborg |
| Cinematography | Yanxiang Qiu |
| Assistant directors | Ben Lyons |
| Camera operators | Yanxiang Qiu |
| Additional photography | Yanxiang Qiu |
| Production design | Ethan Cheek |
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| Art direction | Ethan Cheek |
| Set decoration | Ethan Cheek |
Release dates
Premiere
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