The Penitent
The Penitent
The Penitent en Cuevana. 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.
- Género: Terror, Drama, Suspense, Crimen
- País: Mexico, United States
- Director: Cliff Osmond
- Actores: Raúl Juliá, Armand Assante, Martin LaSalle, Rona De Ricci, Julie Carmen, Demián Bichir, Tina Romero, Justo Martínez, Enrique Novi,
