X
- 2000
- R
- Paramount Pictures
- 1 h 47 m
- 2000
- R
- Paramount Pictures
- 1 h 47 m
Summary A six-year-old is targeted by Satanists to carry out a Biblical prophecy. Her aunt (Basinger) and a police detective (Smits) team up to foil the plan.
Directed By: Chuck Russell
- 2000
- R
- Paramount Pictures
- 1 h 47 m
- 2000
- R
- Paramount Pictures
- 1 h 47 m
Bless the Child
17
3.8
Where to Watch
Summary A six-year-old is targeted by Satanists to carry out a Biblical prophecy. Her aunt (Basinger) and a police detective (Smits) team up to foil the plan.
Directed By: Chuck Russell
Where to Watch
Top Cast
Metascore
Overwhelming Dislike
Based on 27 Critic Reviews
17
7% Positive
2 Reviews
2 Reviews
19% Mixed
5 Reviews
5 Reviews
74% Negative
20 Reviews
20 Reviews
Metascore
Overwhelming Dislike
Based on 27 Critic Reviews
17
7% Positive
2 Reviews
2 Reviews
19% Mixed
5 Reviews
5 Reviews
74% Negative
20 Reviews
20 Reviews
The movie works -- at least marginally.
Should have sold its soul for a little help in the script department.
User Score
Generally Unfavorable
Based on 203 User Ratings
3.8
33% Positive
68 Ratings
68 Ratings
6% Mixed
13 Ratings
13 Ratings
60% Negative
122 Ratings
122 Ratings
User Score
Generally Unfavorable
Based on 203 User Ratings
3.8
33% Positive
68 Ratings
68 Ratings
6% Mixed
13 Ratings
13 Ratings
60% Negative
122 Ratings
122 Ratings
Holy Thrills, Unholy Chills, and a Divine Child.
"Bless The Child," a 2000 millennium religious-based horror flick, is like a Sunday sermon with a devilish twist. The film doesn't reach the divine heights of "The Omen," but it's a serviceable entry in the genre, like a less-then-holy communion wine.
This time, there's no Antichrist making his grand entrance, but rather, a child handpicked by the big guy upstairs to bring the flock back into his fold. Of course, Satan's not one to sit idly by, so he dispatches one of his minions to find the child and put an end to this holy disruption. The concept is intriguing, but it's as though the filmmakers threw a handful of twists at the wall to see what stuck. Some tighter structuring and fleshing out of the supernatural elements would've made this a heavenly horror experience.
The cast does their best with what they're given, with robust performances abound. Rufus Sewell's Eric Stark needed to be slightly more ominous and sinister. Moreover, Kim Basinger's Maggie O'Conner could've used a bit more physical and emotional presence in her battle with the forces of darkness.
The direction and pacing are commendable, with some visually captivating shots that add a layer of intrigue. The special effects, considering the time, hold up well. The CGI rats may look like they've had a bad fur day, but those red eyes are positively chilling. One of the best FX is the smoky flying demons, fluttering ominously around and driving the dark apostles to commit vicious and atrocious crimes. And let's not forget the impressive spectacle of Satan's grand entrance, assembled from millions of red-eyed rodents.
In conclusion, "Bless The Child" is a delightful slice of hocus pocus that won't make you repent for watching it. It's an excellent choice for a cosy evening in the dark, snuggled up with your love and a steaming coffee. So, frantically grab your holy water and popcorn, and let the religious rollercoaster take you for a unique spin.
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Though it offers thrills and chills. Basinger can't get out the kind of "kick-ass girl power" that Jodie Foster and Jullianne Moore did in the part of Clarice Starling, which is exactly what Basinger is trying to be.
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The movie is somewhat below average. The plot doesn't always hold together.
The unintentional effect of movies like Bless the Child is that they are enough to make agnostics out of true believers.
The scariest thing about this hokey bombast is that it got made in the first place.
Abysmally stupid drama.
Horrendous dialogue and horrific directing dominate this thriller.
This was not original at all. It was entertaining though. Like Stigmata (1999) was a copy of The Exorcist (1973) this was a copy of The Omen (1976). In places it is very tame which is disappointing - a little more violence would have been great. It was slick as well and the ending was rubbish. Not especially scary but it is dramatic and thrilling.
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Production Company
Paramount Pictures,
Icon Entertainment International,
Munich Film Partners & Company (MFP) BTC Productions,
Toronto Film Studios
Release Date Aug 11, 2000
Duration 1 h 47 m
Rating R
Tagline Fear the Darkness. Fight the Evil. Bless the Child.
Awards
Blockbuster Entertainment Awards
• 1 Win & 2 Nominations
The Stinkers Bad Movie Awards
• 2 Nominations
Razzie Awards
• 1 Nomination
