Anthony Hopkins Does God’s Work in Latest Still from The Rite

Steve Barton |

Nov 2, 2010

Films about exorcists and exorcisms are pretty tricky to pull off. Sure, it’s easy to go the head-spinning and pea-soup-spitting way, but lately filmmakers have been relying more on subtlety when it comes to doing battle with the dark one and his minions. So how will The Rite handle the subject matter? Hopefully with a bit of both.

Below you’ll find the latest still from the flick, which shows Anthony Hopkins doing his thing in the name of the Lord. Does his “mother suck cocks in Hell” like Father Karras’? We’ll find out soon enough!

Synopsis:
Inspired by true events, The Rite follows skeptical seminary student Michael Kovak (Colin O’Donoghue), who reluctantly attends exorcism school at the Vatican. While in Rome, he meets an unorthodox priest, Father Lucas (Anthony Hopkins), who introduces him to the darker side of his faith.

Directed by Mikael Håfström, The Rite is a supernatural thriller that uncovers the devil’s reach to even one of the holiest places on Earth. Contrafilms’ Beau Flynn and Tripp Vinson (The Exorcism of Emily Rose) are producing the film. The screenplay was penned by Michael Petroni (upcoming The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader), inspired by the book by Matt Baglio. Christy Fletcher and Emma Parry are co-producing. Richard Brener, Merideth Finn and Robert Bernacchi serve as executive producers.

Hopkins stars as Father Lucas. Making his feature film debut, O’Donoghue stars as Michael Kovak, the disillusioned American seminary student. Alice Braga plays the role of Angeline, a journalist in Rome doing research on exorcisms. Ciarán Hinds portrays Father Xavier. Toby Jones plays the role of Father Matthew, and veteran actor Rutger Hauer takes on the role of Michael’s father, Istvan Kovak.

Håfström previously directed the John Cusack thriller 1408 and Derailed, starring Clive Owen and Jennifer Aniston. His film Evil, which he wrote and directed, was nominated for Best Foreign Language Film at the 2004 Academy Awards® and won three Swedish Guldbagge Awards, including Best Film.

Slated for release in January 2011, New Line Cinema’s The Rite will be distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company.

Look for The Rite arriving in theaters January 28th, 2011.