The Penitent

(1988)

★ 6.6 IMDb · 5 votes

Genres: Horror, Drama, Thriller, Crime

Year: 1988

Runtime: 90 мин

Country: Mexico, United States of America

Director: Cliff Osmond

Cast: Рауль Хулиа, Арманд Ассанте, Martin LaSalle, Rona De Ricci, Джули Кармен, Демиан Бичир, Тина Ромеро, Justo Martínez, Enrique Novi

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.