The Rite

If you want a crime drama that treats its mystery as more than a puzzle, The Rite is available in the US on Kanopy, and in the UK on Netflix right now. It says what it needs to say in one sitting, no filler. A 6/10 rating says what the writing already makes obvious: this one works. Anthony Hopkins anchors it, but the writing does the real work. Start it on Kanopy whenever you need something guaranteed to land.

Part of the current wave of titles people are actually watching, The Rite earns its spot. The plotting in The Rite is tight enough that the twists feel earned rather than assembled. Seminary student Michael Kovak reluctantly attends exorcism school at the Vatican. While he’s in Rome, Michael meets an unorthodox priest who introduces him to the darker side of his faith, uncovering the devil’s reach even to one of the holiest places on Earth. Anthony Hopkins and Colin O'Donoghue lead a cast that brings real weight to the material. It was released in 2011. The plot mechanics of The Rite never overwhelm the human cost underneath them. There is real craft here, even in the moments that do not fully land.

If you cannot walk away from a good mystery, The Rite will keep you hooked. It does not lean on comparisons to make its case. The complete film is available and best experienced without too much prior knowledge of where it goes. Watch Anthony Hopkins work — it is a masterclass in the genre. Few crime dramas earn their twists this consistently.