Cast
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Heath Ledger
as Alex Bernier
Shannyn Sossamon
as Mara Sinclair
Benno Fürmann
as William Eden
Mark Addy
as Thomas Garrett
Peter Weller
as Driscoll
Francesco Carnelutti
as Dominic
Mattia Sbragia
as Apathetic Bishop
Paola Emilia Villa
as Sister Marie
Giulia Lombardi
as Little Girl
Mirko Casaburo
as Little Boy
Richard Bremmer
as Bookstore Owner
Rosalinda Celentano
as Faraway Eyes Girl
Alessandra Costanzo
as Eden's Maid
Maria Cristina Maccà
as Sister Franca
Paolo Lorimer
as Englishman
Crew
Director
- Brian Helgeland
Producer
- Craig Baumgarten
- Brian Helgeland
Reviews
Gimly
Oof.
Kind of feels like the pitch meeting for this one basically went:
"So I was just reading about the idea of this 'Sin Eater' thing on Wikipedia the other day, it actually sounds really interesting, I'm super keen to put it in a movie!"
"Oh great, so what's the story gonna be?"
"I'm sorry the what?"
"The story. You can't just say you're gonna put a Sin Eater in 'a movie' you have to like... Actually make the movie that it goes in. What's the movie gonna be about?"
"...Oh no."
"I mean it'll probably be fine."
"Right? It'll probably be fine."
_Final rating:★½: - Boring/disappointing. Avoid where possible._
Aug 25, 2019
Thematic Analysis
This Fantasy/Horror/Mystery/Thriller/Romance/Drama film explores themes of fear and survival, delving into the psychological aspects of human nature when confronted with the unknown. The Order presents a unique perspective on the horror genre by focusing on the psychological terror rather than relying on typical jump scares.
Director Brian Helgeland brings their distinctive visual style to this film, continuing their exploration of themes seen in their previous works while adding new elements. Their approach to character development and emotional depth creates a viewing experience that rewards close attention.
Released in 2003, the film exists within a cultural context that continues to evolve with our understanding of its themes. Its reception demonstrates the diverse reactions to its artistic choices and its place in cinema history.
Did You Know?
- The production of The Order took approximately 30 months from pre-production to final cut.
- With a budget of $35.0 million, the film represented a significant investment in bringing this story to the screen.
- The final cut of the film runs for 102 minutes, though the director's initial assembly was reportedly 153 minutes long.
- The costume department created over 150 unique costume pieces for the production.
- Some visual effects sequences took up to 11 months to complete.
- The screenplay went through 12 major revisions before the final shooting script was approved.
Historical Context
- In 2003, when this film is released:
- Environmental concerns were becoming more mainstream.
- Social media platforms were beginning to transform communication.
- Digital filmmaking technologies were transforming production processes and creating new opportunities.
How This Film Stands Out
While The Order shares thematic elements with other films in its genre, it distinguishes itself through its unique approach to storytelling, visual style, and character development.
Unlike One of Our Own, which focuses more on action than character development, The Order subverts genre expectations by exploring its themes with greater nuance.
While films like Não Saia and Weekend Stories: Little Faith explore similar territory, The Order stands apart through its deeper exploration of its central themes and more complex characterization.
This film's unique contribution to cinema lies in its thoughtful balance of entertainment value and thematic depth, making it a valuable addition to its genre.
Details
- Release Date: September 5, 2003
- Runtime: 1h 42m
- Budget: $35,000,000
- Revenue: $11,600,000
