The Penitent (1988)
94 min
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.
- Release date
- May 27, 1988
- Country of origin
- United States
Cast
- Raul Julia as Ramon Guerola
- Armand Assante as Juan Mateo
- Rona De Ricci as Celia Guerola
- Julie Carmen as Corina
- Lucy Reina as Margarita
- Eduardo López Rojas as Mayor
- José González Rodríguez as Rezador
- Paco Mauri as Pitero
- Justo Martínez as Enfermero
- Enrique Novi as Jose
Crew
- Cliff Osmond · Director
- Cliff Osmond · Writer
- Michael Fitzgerald · Producer
- Alex North · Composer
- Robin Vidgeon · Cinematographer
- Peter Taylor · Editor
- Pam Polifroni · Casting director