The Penitent

The Penitent

1988
1h 30m
6.6

6.6/10

5 votes • View on IMDb
Horror Drama Thriller Crime
Overview

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.

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Status: Released

Language: EN

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Production Information

Production Companies
The Vista Organization Ithaca
Production Countries
Mexico United States of America
Spoken Languages
English

Keywords

blasphemy passion play mocking faith

Quick Facts

Release Date May 27, 1988
Status Released
Language EN
IMDb ID tt0095845

Cast

Raúl Juliá
Raúl Juliá

Ramon Guerola

Armand Assante
Armand Assante

Juan Mateo

Martin LaSalle
Martin LaSalle

Miguel

Rona De Ricci
Rona De Ricci

Celia Guerola

Julie Carmen
Julie Carmen

Corina

Demián Bichir
Demián Bichir

Roberto

Tina Romero
Tina Romero

Susana

Justo Martínez
Justo Martínez

Enfermero

Enrique Novi
Enrique Novi

Jose

Key Crew

Cliff Osmond
Director
Cliff Osmond
Writer