The Believers (1987)

A New York psychiatrist finds that a voodoo cult, which believes in child sacrifice, has a keen interest in his own son.

Director:

John Schlesinger

Writers:

Mark Frost (screenplay), Nicholas Conde (novel)

Stars:

Martin Sheen, Helen Shaver, Harley Cross

1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Martin Sheen	...	Cal Jamison
Helen Shaver	...	Jessica Halliday
Harley Cross	...	Chris Jamison
Robert Loggia	...	Lt. Sean McTaggert
Elizabeth Wilson	...	Kate Maslow
Harris Yulin	...	Robert Calder
Lee Richardson	...	Dennis Maslow
Richard Masur	...	Marty Wertheimer
Carla Pinza	...	Carmen Ruiz
Jimmy Smits	...	Tom Lopez
Raúl Dávila	...	Oscar Sezine
Malick Bowens	...	Palo
Janet-Laine Green	...	Lisa Jamison
Larry Ramos	...	Diner Counterman
Philip Corey	...	Calder's Assistant

Storyline

After the death of his wife, police psychiatrist Cal Jamison moves to New York. There he has to help in the investigation of the murder of two youths, who seem to have been immolated during a cult ritual. Jamison believes it's been Voodoo and, ignoring the warnings of his housekeeper, enters the scenery and soon gets under their influence. They try to get him to sacrifice his own son.

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Plot Keywords:

cult | voodoo | child sacrifice | death | police | 

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Taglines:

They exist. Fear them.

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Genres:

Drama | Horror | Mystery | Thriller

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Certificate:

R

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

10 June 1987 (USA)

Also Known As:

Los creyentes

Filming Locations:

New York, USA

Box Office

Gross:

$18,753,438 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Orion Pictures Corporation

Technical Specs

Runtime:

114 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

One studio executive suggested having the Beastie Boys perform on the soundtrack.

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Goofs

Camera operator reflected in bathroom mirror when Jessica opens it.

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Quotes

[last lines of film]
Jessica Halliday: [smiling at Cal] I did it. We'll be safe now.

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Connections

Referenced in NCIS: Head Case (2006)

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Soundtracks

"El Nacimiento de Ramiro"
Performed by Rubén Blades
Courtesy of Fania Records

User Reviews

saw this in 1987, still memorable...

Covering the subject of cults, religion, Santeria or other beliefs is always intriguing and educational. The acting especially by Martin Sheen as N.Y. psychiatrist Cal, is very good.

Cal loses his wife in a tragic accident, and returns to New York City where he is a psychiatric consultant for N.Y.P.D. There are some excellent scenes with Jimmy Smits, as an affected officer who goes mad, and Robert Loggia, as a veteran cop who is also affected by the "Believers", and their group.

Harris Yulin is menacing and fits the bill as leader of an 80's group, ostensibly just a charity group, until Sheen uncovers something much worse.

The end is rather abrupt and predictable, but the acting is first-rate (especially for Sheen) and this is worth a viewing. The theme alone has many possibilities, the ignorance and unawareness of how many different religions actually exist, and are in practice all over the world. 9/10.