Hopkins Is Like Lecter Without the Leash in “The Rite”
Ever since “The Blair Witch Project” (1999), the horror genre has been increasing its attempts at realism to create chills. This is because for today’s audiences, the more believable that the story is, the scarier watching the film can be. Some horror flicks pass on documentary shooting style, preferring to throw around the phrase “inspired by true events” to add legitimacy instead.
Mikael Håfström’s exorcism thriller “The Rite” is primary example of this trend because it is not a documentary, but it claims to be based on a true story. Since the film fails to establish credibility though, it is neither scary nor realistic.