IMDb > The X Files: I Want to Believe (2008)
The X Files: I Want to Believe
Quicklinks
Top Links
trailers and videosfull cast and crewtriviaofficial sitesmemorable quotes
Overview
main detailscombined detailsfull cast and crewcompany creditstv schedule
Awards & Reviews
user commentsexternal reviewsnewsgroup reviewsawardsuser ratingsparents guiderecommendationsmessage board
Plot & Quotes
plot summarysynopsisplot keywordsAmazon.com summarymemorable quotes
Fun Stuff
triviagoofssoundtrack listingcrazy creditsalternate versionsmovie connectionsFAQ
Other Info
merchandising linksbox office/businessrelease datesfilming locationstechnical specslaserdisc detailsDVD detailsliterature listingsNewsDesk
Promotional
taglines trailers and videos posters photo gallery
External Links
showtimesofficial sitesmiscellaneousphotographssound clipsvideo clips

The X Files: I Want to Believe (2008) More at IMDbPro »

Photos (see all 71 | slideshow) Videos (see all 26 NEW)
The X Files: I Want to Believe (2008) -- This is the second theatrical trailer for The X-Files: I Want to Believe, directed by Chris Carter.
The X Files: I Want to Believe (2008) -- FBI agents Mulder and Scully are called back to duty when a priest's visions may contain information about a kidnapped agent.
The X Files: I Want to Believe (2008) -- Movieplayer.it - Featurette (Flash)
The X Files: I Want to Believe (2008) -- Interview: Chris Carter "On what the audience can expect"
The X Files: I Want to Believe (2008) -- This is the first theatrical trailer for The X-Files: I Want to Believe, directed by Chris Carter.

Overview

User Rating:
5.9/10   32,133 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Down 15% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Chris Carter
Writers (WGA):
Frank Spotnitz (written by) and
Chris Carter (written by) ...
more
Contact:
View company contact information for The X Files: I Want to Believe on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
25 July 2008 (USA) more
Tagline:
Believe Again more
Plot:
Mulder and Scully are called back to duty by the FBI when a former priest claims to be receiving psychic visions pertaining to a kidnapped agent. full summary | full synopsis
Plot Keywords:
more
NewsDesk:
(110 articles)
David Duchovny wants more “alien-oriented conspiracy”
 (From Reel Loop. 22 October 2009, 11:09 AM, PDT)

David Duchovny Speaks Out About a Third X-Files Film
 (From MovieWeb. 21 October 2009, 8:52 AM, PDT)

User Comments:
Good movie. more (449 total)

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)
Create a character page for: ?

Additional Details

Also Known As:
The X Files 2 (USA) (working title)
The X Files: Done One (USA) (working title)
The X-Files (USA) (promotional abbreviation)
The X-Files Movie (USA) (promotional title)
The X-Files: I Want to Believe (USA) (alternative spelling)
Untitled X Files Sequel (USA) (working title)
X-Files: Je veux y croire (Canada: French title)
more
MPAA:
Rated PG-13 for violent and disturbing content and thematic material.
Runtime:
104 min | USA:108 min (director's cut)
Country:
USA | Canada
Language:
English | Russian | Czech
Color:
Color
Aspect Ratio:
2.35 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
DTS | Dolby Digital | SDDS (uncredited)
Certification:
UK:15 | Finland:K-15 | Ireland:15A | Argentina:13 | Australia:M | Singapore:PG | Malaysia:U | Canada:13+ (Quebec) | Canada:14A (British Columbia) (Canadian Home Video rating) | Hong Kong:IIB | South Korea:15 | Germany:16 | USA:PG-13 (Approved No. 44443) | Netherlands:16 | Switzerland:14 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:14 (canton of Vaud) | Sweden:15 | Portugal:M/16 (Qualidade) | Italy:T | Philippines:PG-13 (MTRCB) | New Zealand:M | Peru:14 | Austria:14 | Denmark:15 | France:U (with warning) | Brazil:12

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
When Scully first visits Mulder in his rural home, Mulder is seen tacking up a story about "Princeton closes ESP Lab after 40 years of paranormal study" This is referencing a real-life event and place, the Princeton Engineering Anomalies Research facility, which was closed in 2007 after school administrators felt it unjustified to continue funding it. Originally the lab was tasked to investigate possible phenomena for the defense industry, such as if the minor electrical field present in the human body could interfere with sensitive electrical equipment when the body was placed under extreme stress, such as a fighter pilot involved in a dogfight causing his controls to malfunction. While the lab in its time failed to provide conclusive evidence that such things could occur, they did find in large-scale experiments that there was a statistically detectable influence. This was however at the tamer end of PEAR's experiments which included such things as remote perception. more
Goofs:
Factual errors: When Scully and Mulder accompany Father Joe to the scene of the agent's abduction for the first time the sun is rising and the screen reads "Somerset, West Virginia, 5:02 AM". During mid-winter in that part of the country it would still be completely dark for over two hours more. more
Quotes:
Assistant Director Walter Skinner: I know Mulder. He'd get to a phone and call first. He wouldn't do anything crazy.
[Scully stares at him]
Assistant Director Walter Skinner: Well, not *overly* crazy.
more
Movie Connections:
References A Wild Hare (1940) more
Soundtrack:
Movin' On Up more

FAQ

Is this movie inspired by real-life paranormal activity like in the TV series?
Does this movie follow the X-Files alien conspiracy (mythology) storyline?
Will there be a third film?
more
95 out of 167 people found the following comment useful.
Good movie., 25 July 2008
8/10
Author: scott-sw from United States

There is a difference in reviewing bad film-making as opposed to personal taste. Frankly, I argue this movie more from personal taste, although X-Files - I Want to Believe is certainly not bad film-making. In all honesty, I was very nervous about X-Files I Want to Believe. Ever since Star Wars the Phantom Menace, I have learned to lower my expectations when venturing into Hollywood movies (although lowering your expectations to nothing could not save the Star Wars Prequels). Nothing is worse than a huge let-down. Indiana Jones and the Crystal Skull comes to mind the quickest. With X-Files, I Want to Believe, I went in with no expectations whatsoever and was thoroughly entertained. It made me pine for the old television series I loved to watch in the 1990's (at least until Seasons 8 and 9). Dr. Dana Scully is working at a Catholic Hospital, fighting for a young boy who has little to no chance of surviving. She pushes herself hard, not giving up hope in the wake of despair. She fights for Alexander (the son she lost). The FBI comes to her, asking for help in tracking down Fox Mulder. They want his help in a baffling case. An FBI agent has disappeared. The only link is an unusual psychic. Not only does he have scant visions, he also is pedophile priest under house arrest. Of course, Mulder wants to believe this man. Scully, however, does not. This not only stems from her usual scientific mind, but also her moral outrage at his crimes. As this psychic leads them to various clues, a case slowly uncovers. Some strange, bizarre, twisted scheme of harvesting organs for nefarious purposes arises. Mulder of course ventures closer, putting himself in peril. Scully, balks, wondering if she can continue in Mulder's dark world. Believe it or not, this one works. In fact, I liked it better than Fight the Future. While Fight the Future was inserted in the ongoing mythology of government conspiracies and alien extra-terrestrials, this one works more as a stand-alone movie, much like the episodes of the same flavor. I admit I liked the latter episodes better. So for the X-Philes who liked the conspiracy episodes better, you may want to stick to Fight the Future. That gets me to wonder if this movie will find new fans for the 15-year-old franchise, or only appeal to X-Philes. Only time can tell on that one. What makes this work for me, though, is that it is in the spirit of the original television series. It does not rely on paranoid delusions, government conspiracies, and alien extra-terrestrials. Instead, it relies more on a potentially dangerous and real situation with surrealism in the background. Just like some of the stand-alone episodes of X-Files, the outcome is not predictable. Also, by the end, the surrealism takes a back-seat to the suspense of catching the antagonists. It also unfolds slowly, not giving us a full glimpse into the nefarious plot finally revealed in the end. Just like the series, the antagonists goal is evil and eerie--pushing the envelope of imagination and fear. Just like the series, the plot is also based on real fringe scientific experiments. Both the movie, and the reality sent a shiver up my spine. By the way, leave the kids at home on this one. Kids younger than 11 or 10 might get some nightmares from this one. This paves the way for one thing X-Files television series did well: lacing messages of philosophy, religious allegory, and faith. Some of the best stuff comes when Fox and Dana converse with each other. Scully fears being with Mulder because his world brings around so much darkness, and she fears that. She also doubts her own faith. Mulder must ask himself questions in regards to his relentless search of the "truth." Another warning must go out that this movie is not an action movie. It works more like a thriller and a suspense movie instead of lacing itself with shootouts, car chases, and outlandish stunts. It also is not scary, but rather suspenseful. I think if Cris Carter were a better director, it might have found a little more suspense, and possibly a little more fright. That being said, I still think this movie works--at least for me.

Was the above comment useful to you?
more (449 total)

Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for The X Files: I Want to Believe (2008)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
WASTE OF $4 AceVader
Why is Scully so religious... habler6
Extended edition jaynabharad
Significance of scene after credits? Monsoon77
Head Transplant...? sugary_unicorn
Mulder and Scully's son abbelee
more

Recommendations

If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
- - - - -
The Fugitive Suspect Zero The X Files Bad Boys II The Dark Knight
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
Show more recommendations

Related Links

Full cast and crew Company credits External reviews
News articles IMDb Crime section IMDb USA section
Add this title to MyMovies

You may report errors and omissions on this page to the IMDb database managers. They will be examined and if approved will be included in a future update. Clicking the 'Update' button will take you through a step-by-step process.