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IMDbPro

The Believers

  • 19871987
  • RR
  • 1h 54m
IMDb RATING
6.0/10
7.2K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
6,920
4,400
Martin Sheen, Helen Shaver, Malick Bowens, Harley Cross, Lee Richardson, Elizabeth Wilson, and Harris Yulin in The Believers (1987)
A New York psychiatrist finds that a brujería-inspired cult, which believes in child sacrifice, has a keen interest in his own son.
Play trailer1:50
1 Video
36 Photos
CrimeDramaHorror
A New York psychiatrist finds that a brujería-inspired cult, which believes in child sacrifice, has a keen interest in his own son.A New York psychiatrist finds that a brujería-inspired cult, which believes in child sacrifice, has a keen interest in his own son.A New York psychiatrist finds that a brujería-inspired cult, which believes in child sacrifice, has a keen interest in his own son.
IMDb RATING
6.0/10
7.2K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
6,920
4,400
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Director
      • John Schlesinger
    • Writers
      • Nicholas Conde(based on the book "The Religion" by)
      • Mark Frost(screenplay by)
    • Stars
      • Martin Sheen
      • Helen Shaver
      • Harley Cross
    Top credits
    • Director
      • John Schlesinger
    • Writers
      • Nicholas Conde(based on the book "The Religion" by)
      • Mark Frost(screenplay by)
    • Stars
      • Martin Sheen
      • Helen Shaver
      • Harley Cross
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 58User reviews
    • 64Critic reviews
    • 40Metascore
    • Awards
      • 1 nomination

    Videos1

    Official Trailer
    Trailer 1:50
    Official Trailer

    Photos36

    Helen Shaver and Malick Bowens in The Believers (1987)
    Martin Sheen, Harley Cross, Lee Richardson, and Harris Yulin in The Believers (1987)
    Helen Shaver in The Believers (1987)
    Martin Sheen in The Believers (1987)
    The Believers (1987)
    Martin Sheen, Malick Bowens, Harley Cross, Lee Richardson, and Harris Yulin in The Believers (1987)
    Martin Sheen and Helen Shaver in The Believers (1987)
    Richard Masur in The Believers (1987)
    Martin Sheen in The Believers (1987)
    Martin Sheen, Jimmy Smits, and Robert Loggia in The Believers (1987)
    Martin Sheen, Malick Bowens, and Harley Cross in The Believers (1987)
    The Believers (1987)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Martin Sheen
    Martin Sheen
    • Cal Jamison
    Helen Shaver
    Helen Shaver
    • Jessica Halliday
    Harley Cross
    Harley Cross
    • Chris Jamison
    Robert Loggia
    Robert Loggia
    • Lieutenant Sean McTaggert
    Elizabeth Wilson
    Elizabeth Wilson
    • Kate Maslow
    Harris Yulin
    Harris Yulin
    • Donald Calder
    Lee Richardson
    Lee Richardson
    • Dennis Maslow
    Richard Masur
    Richard Masur
    • Marty Wertheimer
    Carla Pinza
    • Carmen Ruiz
    Jimmy Smits
    Jimmy Smits
    • Tom Lopez
    Raúl Dávila
    • Sezine
    • (as Raul Davila)
    Malick Bowens
    Malick Bowens
    • Palo
    Janet-Laine Green
    Janet-Laine Green
    • Lisa
    Larry Ramos
    • Diner Counterman
    Philip Corey
    • Calder's Assistant
    Jennifer Lee Pryor
    Jennifer Lee Pryor
    • Calder's Assistant
    • (as Jennifer Lee)
    Nonnie Griffin
    Nonnie Griffin
    • Cigar Couple
    Bob Clout
    • Cigar Couple
    • Director
      • John Schlesinger
    • Writers
      • Nicholas Conde(based on the book "The Religion" by)
      • Mark Frost(screenplay by)
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Gary Farmer: seen briefly at the start as a furniture removal man.
    • Goofs
      Camera operator reflected in bathroom mirror when Jessica opens it.
    • Quotes

      Customs agent: [Arriving at the airport] Open this please?

      [first lines]

      Palo: Just personal items... no need to look in there

      [Palo stares deep into the man's eyes]

      Customs agent: [Now in a trance like state] All-Right.

    • Connections
      Featured in At the Movies: The Untouchables/The Witches of Eastwick/Harry and the Hendersons (1987)
    • Soundtracks
      Flute Concerto In G
      Written by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

      Performed by Aurèle Nicolet (as Aurele Nicolet) and Koninklijk Concertgebouworkest, Amsterdam

      Courtesy of Philips Records, a division of Polygram Classics

    User reviews58

    Review
    Top review
    7/10
    turns into a good creepy horror
    Cal Jamison (Martin Sheen) loses his wife in an accidental electrocution. He moves with his son Chris to NYC as a psychiatrist for the police department. Jessica Halliday (Helen Shaver) is their landlady. His lawyer Marty Wertheimer (Richard Masur) wants to sue the coffeemaker company. Lt. McTaggert (Robert Loggia) investigates a child murder with disturbed undercover cop Tom Lopez (Jimmy Smits) at the scene. Lopez is convinced that some unknown group will kill him and tries to shoot himself. Cal is called in to investigate the voodoo murder. Palo (Malick Bowens) is the ever present voodoo evil. Cal's housekeeper tries to protect the family with her good voodoo.

    The use of religion is going to anger some people and color some reviews. I guess almost any movie can cause offense if taken that way. It starts off as a crime thriller. It seems to go slowly but methodically. Then it turns more towards horror and it's quite effective. There are some good voodoo horrors. The two hours running time is a little long but it's got some good creepy scares.
    helpful•11
    2
    • SnoopyStyle
    • Apr 11, 2015

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • June 10, 1987 (United States)
    • Countries of origin
      • United States
      • United Kingdom
      • Canada
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Das Ritual
    • Filming locations
      • RKO Bushwick Theatre, Brooklyn, New York City, New York, USA
    • Production company
      • Orion Pictures
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $13,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $18,753,438
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $4,342,732
      • Jun 14, 1987
    • Gross worldwide
      • $18,753,438
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 54 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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    Martin Sheen, Helen Shaver, Malick Bowens, Harley Cross, Lee Richardson, Elizabeth Wilson, and Harris Yulin in The Believers (1987)
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