Priest

2011

Priest

Critics Consensus

Sleek and stylish, but those qualities are wasted on a dull, derivative blend of sci-fi, action, and horror.

15%

TOMATOMETER

Total Count: 99

46%

Audience Score

User Ratings: 86,579
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Movie Info

Priest, a western-fused post-apocalyptic thriller, is set in an alternate world -- one ravaged by centuries of war between man and vampires. The story revolves around a legendary Warrior Priest (Paul Bettany) from the last Vampire War who now lives in obscurity among the other downtrodden human inhabitants in walled-in dystopian cities ruled by the Church. When his niece (Lily Collins) is abducted by a murderous pack of vampires, Priest breaks his sacred vows to venture out on an obsessive quest to find her before they turn her into one of them. -- (C) Sony

Cast

Paul Bettany
as Priest
Maggie Q
as Priestess
Cam Gigandet
as Hicks
Lily Collins
as Lucy
Christopher Plummer
as Monsignor Orelas
Karl Urban
as Black Hat
Brad Dourif
as Salesman
Stephen Moyer
as Owen Pack
Alan Dale
as Monsignor Chamberlain
Mädchen Amick
as Shannon Pace
Jacob Hopkins
as Boy
Dave Florek
as Crocker
Joel Polinsky
as Dr. Tomlin
Josh Wingate
as Familiar
Jon Braver
as Familiar
Casey Pieretti
as Familiar
Theo Kypri
as Familiar
John Griffin
as Familiar
David Backhaus
as Familiar
Roger Stoneburner
as Familiar
David Bianchi
as Familiar
Tanoai Reed
as Brave Priest
Arnold Chon
as Strong Priest
Austin Priester
as Flashback Priest
Marilyn Brett
as Woman
Kanin J. Howell
as Husband
Julie Mond
as Wife
Michael D. Nye
as Minister
Raynor Scheine
as Minister
Kevin T. McCarthy
as English Speaking Preacher
Boyuen Lou
as Chinese Speaking Preacher
Anthony Azizi
as Farsi Speaking Preacher
Pramod Kumar
as Hindi Speaking Vendor
Lafayette R. Dorsey, Sr.
as Clergy Trooper
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News & Interviews for Priest

RT on DVD & Blu-Ray: Priest and Something Borrowed
Box Office Wrapup: Thor Finishes On Top Of Bridesmaids
Critics Consensus: Priest is Without a Prayer
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Critic Reviews for Priest

All Critics (99) | Top Critics (18) | Fresh (15) | Rotten (84)

  • The movie Priest was a surprisingly racist, semi-coherent piece of mindless Hollywood idiocy, complete with genocidal fantasies, derivative Blade-Runner-future stylings, and please-please-please-grant-us-a-sequel tripe ending.

    September 16, 2019 | Full Review…

    Noah Berlatsky

    Splice Today
    Top Critic

  • There isn't anything here that is nurtured enough to resonate either emotionally or mythologically once the film is over.

    February 15, 2019 | Rating: B- | Full Review…

    Abbie Bernstein

    Assignment X
    Top Critic

  • It's everything you've enjoyed in every genre film you've ever seen rolled into one package, although it seems to lose something when added into the sum of its parts.

    November 4, 2018 | Rating: 7/10 | Full Review…

    Johnny Gayzmonic

    Fanboys of the Universe
    Top Critic

  • It's just a shame this world is populated with such one-dimensional, humourless characters.

    August 24, 2018 | Rating: 2/5 | Full Review…

    Anna Smith

    Metro (UK)
    Top Critic

  • Even with hives of cool-looking vampires, cowboys on motorcycles, and ninja priests, there are some stories that are just too dumb to live.

    May 26, 2018 | Full Review…

    Annalee Newitz

    io9.com
    Top Critic

  • Another broad yet eclectic little genre-blender to (maybe) toss into your rental queue.

    August 26, 2015 | Full Review…

    Scott Weinberg

    TheHorrorShow
    Top Critic
View All Critic Reviews (99)

Audience Reviews for Priest

  • Dec 14, 2015
    In a world ravaged by centuries of war between humans and vampires some warrior priests attempt to tip the scales in favor of humanity. Get ready for some puny humans against superhuman vampires action, shot in the best remember-the-Matrix style. Or not.
    Kevin M. W Super Reviewer
  • Sep 12, 2015
    We usually get about 3 films like this a year, A fantasy action film that no one really hears much about and they hardly ever deliver in entertainment value, This is the same, It could of been better but it's too dark, I can't comment on the 3D as I watched the 2D version but I can't imagine it being any good, It felt rushed and the action scenes were nothing great, The effects were ok but that's about it, It's not a terrible film but it was never going to be great.
    Jamie C Super Reviewer
  • Sep 13, 2013
    The only thing sharp in this movie was the minimal action. Everything else including the acting was a little whack. Although the story had originality it lacked true execution which made the movie a little corny.
    Jarrin R Super Reviewer
  • Jan 18, 2013
    In the future, the humans have won a decisive war against the vampires, thus ensuring humanity will be safe from any more teen vampire movies, but at a great cost, rendering most of the planet a vast wasteland. But then news reaches a former warrior priest(Paul Bettany), reduced to manual labor, of a vampire attack and his niece Lucy(Lily Collins) being taken captive. Still, Monsignor Orelas(Christopher Plummer) forbids him from going to the rescue, on the off chance there might be a toilet that needs cleaning, but the priest goes anyway. Along with Hicks(Cam Gigandet), a family friend and local sheriff, he follows a lead that takes them to a vampire reservation. "Priest" has certain things going for it like its astounding visuals.(Ah, the kids these days and their computer effects...) And, oooh, look, a train! While the movie may think it is telling a different kind of story, it really is not. And not just a western, but a specific western, "The Searchers," which as overrated as it is, is still much superior to what is going on here.(And I did not realize that until the 38th time Hicks asked if the priest was going to kill Lucy.) The worst part is this means that vampires take the place of the Indians in the story, and not very scary vampires at that. And then there is Paul Bettany who is certainly no John Wayne.(And yes, John Wayne was no Paul Bettany but this ain't a Lars von Trier movie we're talking about.) Well, at least, Karl Urban got the memo. That having been said, "Priest" remains marginal until its climax, when instead of hitting its stride, falls apart at the worst possible moment, finding even more movies to ransack and proving that there are indeed limits to suspending one's disbelief.
    Walter M Super Reviewer
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