United States / May 27, 1988
The Penitent (1988)
Directed by Cliff Osmond
1vote
0reviews
1h 30min
Overall average
5.0/10
Plot
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.
Genres
HorrorDramaThrillerCrime
Technical details
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Original title | The Penitent |
| Original language | English (EN) |
| Spoken languages | English |
| Production countries | Mexico, United States of America |
| Status | Released |
| Production companies | The Vista Organization, Ithaca |
| Release date | 27 maggio 1988 |
| Writer | Cliff Osmond |
| Cinematography | Robin Vidgeon |
| Assistant directors | Cliff Osmond |
| Camera operators | Robin Vidgeon |
| Additional photography | Robin Vidgeon |
| Music | Alex North |
| Sound | Alex North |
Release dates
Theatrical release
Physical media
United Kingdom / Nov 08, 1988 / 15
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