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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 (92) | Top Critics (33) | Fresh (80) | Rotten (12)
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
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
Novitiate is that rare film when it comes to religion - a tough, honest look at faith from writer/director Margaret Betts that is both critical and respectful. Oct 25, 2018 | Rating: B | Full Review…
Novitiate is that rare film when it comes to religion - a tough, honest look at faith from writer/director Margaret Betts that is both critical and respectful.
Micheal Compton
While the story is effective in delving into that more human side to one's personal relationship with religion, its characters could be portrayed with more depth and respect. Aug 25, 2018 | Rating: 3/5 | Full Review…
While the story is effective in delving into that more human side to one's personal relationship with religion, its characters could be portrayed with more depth and respect.
Amelie Lasker
A most recommendable film... [Full review in Spanish] Apr 3, 2018 | Rating: 4/5 | Full Review…
A most recommendable film... [Full review in Spanish]
José Martín
Leo is one of America's great character actors, but her mother superior is written as a fairly one-dimensional villain. Feb 9, 2018 | Full Review…
Leo is one of America's great character actors, but her mother superior is written as a fairly one-dimensional villain.
Steve Erickson
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