Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Graphic
- paranoid
- oppressive
- eerie
- late night horror viewing
- 1980s horror marathon
What critics said
Critics found the occult thriller gripping and atmospherically frightening at its best, but frequently criticized its muddled story, cheap scares, and prejudicial treatment of Caribbean religions.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Cal Jamison investigates ritual murders across New York while the film uses police procedure, metropolitan unease, and occult conspiracy.
The cult's attempt to sacrifice Cal's son Chris turns parental protection into the central source of suspense.
Critics specifically objected to the film's one-sided treatment of Caribbean religious traditions as bloodthirsty cult practice.
Circles of ashes, blood, charms, immolation, and ritual murder provide recurring visual evidence of the cult's influence.
Films like The Believers, and why
Angel Heart
urban occult horror, investigative suspense, and an atmosphere of creeping supernatural dread
Wolfen
big-city mystery thriller that blends crime investigation with ritualistic supernatural horror
Rosemary's Baby
cult conspiracy, ritual murder, and escalating paranoia within an urban setting
Movie Details
- Director
- John Schlesinger
- Release Date
- 1987-06-09
- Runtime
- 114 min
- Rating
- 5.9 / 10 (193)
Cast
- Martin Sheen
- Helen Shaver
- Harley Cross
- Robert Loggia
- Elizabeth Wilson
- Harris Yulin
- Lee Richardson
- Richard Masur
- Carla Pinza
- Jimmy Smits
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- fuboTV, MGM+ Amazon Channel, Philo, MGM Plus Roku Premium Channel, MGM Plus
- Rent
- Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is The Believers about?
- A grieving police psychiatrist confronts an urban cult whose ritual murders lead directly to a terrifying threat against his young son.
- What is The Believers like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of The Believers as brisk, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is The Believers violent?
- Yes. Ember rates the violence in The Believers as graphic.
- What did critics think of The Believers?
- Critics found the occult thriller gripping and atmospherically frightening at its best, but frequently criticized its muddled story, cheap scares, and prejudicial treatment of Caribbean religions.
- Which films are like The Believers?
- Films with a similar feel include Angel Heart, Wolfen, and Rosemary's Baby.
- How long is The Believers?
- The Believers runs 114 minutes.
- Where can I watch The Believers?
- In United States, The Believers streams on fuboTV, MGM+ Amazon Channel, Philo, MGM Plus Roku Premium Channel, MGM Plus.
