Apple has debuted the trailer for The Rite, yet another exorcism movie starring Anthony Hopkins and directed by Mikael Hafstrom (1408). The film as in an adaptation of Matt Baglio’s book, which was supposedly inspired by true events, telling the story of an American priest (Colin O’Donoghue) who travels to Italy to study at an exorcism school at the Vatican. The film co-stars Alice Braga, Ciaran Hinds and Toby Jones and is currently set for the dead zone of the release calendar, January 28, 2011.
The way I see it, the only way to make an exorcism movie nowadays would be to drop the CG effects and go for the R-rating. I know these films make money regardless of quality — just look at the $41 million the terrible The Last Exorcism made as proof — but it would be nice to see someone try a little harder.
Now, like all trailers whenever possible I don’t watch them, and this one is no different, but I can only assume Warner Bros. is going to follow the model set by The Last Exorcism and The Exorcism of Emily Rose and turn out a PG-13 rated film to appeal to a wider audience. I am sure you’ll watch the trailer, you tell me if I’m right or if you see potential in this one.
