Movies
The Rite
“The Rite is nothing short of being a slice of stale white bread. It’s a poor imitation of a classic [‘The Exorcist’] that doesn’t attempt a single risk and never strives to do anything original.”
Mikael Håfström’s religious thriller The Rite was so uninspired that I had to handcuff myself to my chair in order to write this review. When a movie begins the development process, every single person involved should be asking the simple question: “what makes this better than…?” Because, what’s the point in attempting to make a movie that’s “less than” one of its predecessors? Such the case with The Rite, Warners and New Line Cinema’s take on the exorcism subgenre that never can find its own voice in comparison to the legendary 1973 film The Exorcist.
The Rite appears to be more interested in imitating The Exorcist than attempting something fresh and original. Very loosely inspired by the book “The Making of a Modern Exorcist” by Matt Baglio, Michael Petroni delivers a screenplay void of scares and heavy on the exposition. To a fault, nearly every facet of the script focuses on building Michael Kovak’s (Colin O’Donoghue) “lack of faith”. It’s as if Petroni honed in on the “eventual point” of The Exorcist, and couldn’t take his eyes off of it. Seriously, how many freakin’ times does the audience need to be reminded that Kovak has lost his faith in God? How much sh*t does he really have to see to believe? As a theatergoer, I would have become a believer the second one of the girls starts puking up rusty nails. But no, not Kovak, he apparently needs to die to believe anything. After the nearly two-hours of yippity-yap, Kovak finally comes face to face with his faith and is thus enlightened by one of the most logical aspects of any religious theorist (I’ll refrain from mentioning because apparently this would be the “twist” to some). Suffice to say, even the climax had me bored to tears.
In terms of scares, Håfström, who directed the pretty-good psychological thriller 1408, should be absolutely ashamed of what landed on the screen. The first time the audience gets a jolt is in the form of a f*cking “cat scare” (shocking note: isn’t that also the first scare in The Exorcist?), filling the rest of the film with loud noises, nails scratching on the wall, FX-heavy facial transformations, and the most eye-popping of all: literally ripping-off the breathing techniques used in The Exorcist. I’m sorry, but this is not an homage; it borders on plagiarism.
The Exorcist did it ALL right the first time; it presented the challenge of faith in a real way, it utilized sound as an actual scare tactic, and also applied some of the most disturbing practical effects work every caught on film. So why attempt to remake what’s essential PERFECTION? It makes no sense.
Even with a stellar performance by Sir. Anthony Hopkins, a few sprinkles of cool sequences (the red-eyed horse was awesome), and gorgeous cinematography, The Rite is nothing short of being a slice of stale white bread. It’s a poor imitation of a classic that doesn’t attempt a single risk and never strives to do anything original. If you like your cheeseburger plain, without cheese, The Rite might excite at least a tiny fart out of you.
A very hungry hippopotamus leads the charge for this week’s brand new horror releases, with Hungry now available at home along with four other new genre movies on Digital outlets.
Here’s all the new horror that released on Tuesday, June 23, 2026!
After a limited theatrical run, hippo horror movie Hungry is now available at home.
From writer and director James Nunn (Shark Bait, One Shot), Hungry follows thrill-seeking tourists on a riverboat tour through the treacherous Louisiana swamplands. Lured off the beaten path by the promise of an exclusive adventure, they soon find themselves fighting for survival against a ravenous hippopotamus lurking beneath the bayou’s murky waters.
Madison Davenport (It’s What’s Inside), Tracey Bonner (Greenland), Michel Curiel (“She-Hulk: Attorney at Law”), Jim Meskimen (“Parks and Recreation”), Samantha Coughlan (Arcadian), Olivia Bernstone (Fighting with My Family), River Codack (“Happy Face”), and Joaquim de Almeida (Desperado) star.
Rob Hunter wrote in his review for Bloody Disgusting, “When all is said and done, Hungry is a genuinely solid animal attack film that succeeds in making its creature threat thrilling, entertaining, and, dare I say, educational?” Rob’s review continues, “Characters are grounded and engaging, the film moves well between suspense, character beats, and action, and the effects used to bring the hippo to life are highly effective and never feel like distractions.”
William Bagley‘s horror comedy Hold the Fort is now available on Digital.
In the film, “Lucas and Jenny think their life is finally coming together when the couple become homeowners. Little do they know that their new house comes with a big catch.
“Lucas and Jenny soon find themselves in a fight for their lives when they become trapped in a battle between their Homeowners Association and an onslaught of monsters from hell.”
Vertigo Releasing promises, “The horror-comedy takes the timely concern of home-ownership and wraps this up in an entertaining action-packed thrill ride.“
Chris Mayers (Adult Swim Yule Log), Haley Leary (“The Walking Dead”), Levi Burdick, and Julian Smith star in Hold the Fort, written and directed by William Bagley.
The latest from filmmaker Alex Noyer, Love Is the Monster is now available on Digital.
Madeline Zima (“Doom Patrol,” “Twin Peaks”) and Leonardo Nam (Werewolf by Night, “Westworld”) star as the unlucky couple discovering romance’s malevolent side.
“Following their marriage being rocked by infidelity, Ana and Justin attend an exclusive couples retreat in Finland, under the golden rays of the summer’s midnight sun. They join other international couples to experience the transformative teachings of the shaman and healer, Tiina, inspired by the ancient Finnish goddess of love and fertility, Lempo.
“Despite her doubts and some ominous first experiences, Ana gives the retreat a chance, but the thrill is quickly replaced by a battle for survival, as the influence of the divinity and the pagan rituals turn deadly. Couples’ problems lead to calamity, while Ana learns about the peculiar role she unwittingly plays in Tiina’s plans.”
Kimberly Sue-Murray (“The Boys”), Moe Jeudy-Lamour (“Ted Lasso”), Kristina Tonteri-Young (“Warrior Nun“), Milla Puolakanaho (Attack on Helsinki), and Sheila McCarthy (Women Talking) also star in Love Is the Monster.
Alex Noyer co-wrote the script with his Sound of Violence collaborator Hannu Aukia and Blair Bathory. Laurence Gendron joins Noyer and Aukia as a producer.
Samara Weaving (Ready or Not 2: Here I Come) and Kyle Gallner (Strange Darling) come together in Carolina Caroline, a sexy crime thriller now available at home.
It’s not a horror movie, mind you, but it’s worth a mention here all the same.
Kyra Sedgwick (Family Movie) and Jon Gries also star in the romantic crime thriller.
Director Adam Carter Rehmeier’s film stars Samara Weaving as Caroline Daniels, whose desire to leave her small Texas town brings her into the orbit of a charismatic con man (Kyle Gallner), and together they weave a path of crime and passion across the American Southeast.
Adam Rehmeier previously directed the films Dinner in America and Snack Shack.
Tom Dean wrote the screenplay for Carolina Caroline.
Described as a mash-up between Pumpkinhead and Cube, Round the Decay offers a fresh take on the monster movie formula with roots extending into psychological and folk horror.
The film is now available on VOD outlets at home.
Written and directed by Adam Newman (Everwinter Night), indie monster movie Round the Decay follows a young woman as she returns to the sleepy town of Newport’s Valley two years after a devastating tragedy and uncovers an all-consuming secret.
Victoria Mirrer leads a cast that includes Damian Maffei (The Strangers: Prey At Night), Sienna Hubert-Ross (Terrifier 3), Melody Kay (The NeverEnding Story III), Phil Duran (Breaking Bad), Sarah Nicklin (The Black Mass), Rachel Pizzolato (Mythbusters Jr.), and Roger Clark (Red Dead Redemption II).
Round the Decay boasts a practical creature designed by veteran special effects artist Greg McDougall (The Haunting of Hill House, Stranger Things, War of the Worlds).
This week’s new release roundups are presented by HUNGRY.
All aboard the swamp tour from hell – this hippo isn’t playing games…
HUNGRY is now available on Digital. Watch it now!
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