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Led by a gripping performance from Melissa Leo, Novitiate grapples uncompromisingly -- and ultimately compellingly -- with questions of faith and feminism.
All Critics (96) | Top Critics (33)
Most films, especially mainstream ones, are about the forces that whirl around characters. "Novitiate" grapples with what's going on inside them. Nov 16, 2017 | Rating: 3.5/4 | Full Review…
Most films, especially mainstream ones, are about the forces that whirl around characters. "Novitiate" grapples with what's going on inside them.
Calvin Wilson
In Leo, it presents a remarkable portrait of a complex woman struggling with forces beyond her control. Nov 15, 2017 | Rating: 3/4 | Full Review…
In Leo, it presents a remarkable portrait of a complex woman struggling with forces beyond her control.
Moira MacDonald
[Reverend Mother Leo's] countenance alternates between a stony smile and a twisted snarl, except for the moments when the changes wrought by Vatican II threaten to loosen her iron grip over her young charges. Then she simply goes to pieces. Nov 10, 2017 | Rating: 1/5 | Full Review…
[Reverend Mother Leo's] countenance alternates between a stony smile and a twisted snarl, except for the moments when the changes wrought by Vatican II threaten to loosen her iron grip over her young charges. Then she simply goes to pieces.
Matthew Lickona
There are times when Novitiate tests the viewer's endurance - it's a beautifully shot movie, but it runs more than two hours, and lingering compositions of silent nuns and novitiates start to feel unsupported by the story. Nov 9, 2017 | Rating: 2.5/4 | Full Review…
There are times when Novitiate tests the viewer's endurance - it's a beautifully shot movie, but it runs more than two hours, and lingering compositions of silent nuns and novitiates start to feel unsupported by the story.
Gary Thompson
The film raises interesting questions, but the answers remain elusive, and whether that makes for a compelling cinematic experience is entirely in the eye of the beholder. Nov 9, 2017 | Rating: 3/5 | Full Review…
The film raises interesting questions, but the answers remain elusive, and whether that makes for a compelling cinematic experience is entirely in the eye of the beholder.
Kerry Lengel
It's well worth seeing ... not least for the ways it conveys the profound intensity of religious devotion and the costs such devotion can exact. Nov 9, 2017 | Rating: 3/4 | Full Review…
It's well worth seeing ... not least for the ways it conveys the profound intensity of religious devotion and the costs such devotion can exact.
Ty Burr
Novitiate, the feature-length debut of Sundance Film Festival's Breakthrough Director winner, Maggie Betts, is a stylish and ambitious take on a historical moment in the transformation of Catholicism. Jul 28, 2019 | Full Review…
Novitiate, the feature-length debut of Sundance Film Festival's Breakthrough Director winner, Maggie Betts, is a stylish and ambitious take on a historical moment in the transformation of Catholicism.
Sara Clements
Leo and Qualley shine during a dim view of the "Novitiate". Jun 8, 2019 | Rating: 3/4 | Full Review…
Leo and Qualley shine during a dim view of the "Novitiate".
Jeff Mitchell
Unfortunately, the film often takes too many narrative shortcuts, leaving thematic avenues unexplored with weak character development Jun 3, 2019 | Rating: 2.5/4 | Full Review…
Unfortunately, the film often takes too many narrative shortcuts, leaving thematic avenues unexplored with weak character development
Matthew Lucas
That succeeds best when it focuses on the spiritual journey of its young protagonist. But what might make it most interesting to watch is Melissa Leo's fiery performance as the brittle Reverend Mother. Apr 26, 2019 | Rating: 3/5 | Full Review…
That succeeds best when it focuses on the spiritual journey of its young protagonist. But what might make it most interesting to watch is Melissa Leo's fiery performance as the brittle Reverend Mother.
Cate Marquis
People of faith might be disappointed in the film's ending but overall, and despite the Catholic church being absent in the credits, Betts has crafted a respectful examination of faith, devotion and doubt... Apr 16, 2019 | Rating: 7/10 | Full Review…
People of faith might be disappointed in the film's ending but overall, and despite the Catholic church being absent in the credits, Betts has crafted a respectful examination of faith, devotion and doubt...
Julie Crawford
A powerful, if imprecise, look at religious faith. Jan 18, 2019 | Full Review…
A powerful, if imprecise, look at religious faith.
Evan Dossey
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