Dogma

Name: Dogma
Genre: Adventure, Fantasy, Comedy
Released: November 12, 1999
Duration: 130 min
Rating: 62
Cast: Ben Affleck, Linda Fiorentino, Matt Damon

1999

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 36 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Universal acclaim based on 358 Ratings

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8.5

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8.5	User Score Universal acclaim based on 358 Ratings

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Dogma

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Movie Details & Credits

Lions Gate Films | Release Date: November 12, 1999 | TV-14

Starring: Ben Affleck, Linda Fiorentino, Matt Damon

Summary: The latest battle in the eternal war between Good and Evil has come to New Jersey in the late, late 20th Century. In Kevin Smith's comic fantasia Dogma, angels, demons, apostles and prophets (of a sort) walk among the cynics and innocents of America and duke it out for the fate of humankind. (Lions Gate Films)

Director: Kevin Smith

Genre(s): Adventure, Fantasy, Comedy

Rating: TV-14

Runtime: 130 min

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Metascore

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Critic Reviews

Owen Gleiberman

It's not every day you get to see a movie that begins in satire and ends in reverence, but then, for Kevin Smith, they may ultimately be the same thing. Read full review

Richard Corliss

A tortured testament from a true believer.

Jay Carr

Has that rarest of qualities in movies that think of themselves as religious. I'm talking about the vision thing. And the ability to make morality entertaining. Read full review

Dallas Observer Gregory Weinkauf

Smith has fashioned a complex, contemporary Bible epic on his own terms. By turns crafty and clunky, pious and profane, it's clearly a labor of love. Read full review

Jonathan Foreman

Kevin Smith's attempt to combine sketchy low comedy with long-winded theological speculation results in a mostly unfunny and occasionally tedious mess.

Shawn Levy

Dotted with real laughs and held together by some solid acting, but it's built of a fairly flaccid narrative and some really amateurish sequences.

J. Hoberman

A tediously childish exhibition. Read full review

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User Reviews

shamusolarry

Sep 7, 2011

My third favorite movie of all time. It's a refreshingly intelligent comedy that makes fun of religion without any atheistic agenda. I'm a Christian, and I didn't find this movie offensive at all (which actually suprised me). If your a Catholic on the other hand...watch with caution.

8 of 8 users found this helpful80

Implore194

Jan 10, 2020

Dogma has an A list cast, outrageous comedy & a one of a kind storyline that propels the movie. Dogma is a must see for any comedy fan.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

eva3si0n

Oct 10, 2021

Dogma is one of the best films mocking both the Catholic Church and religion in general. Strong cast, good story and black humor. One of Kevin Smith's best movies. The fact that George Carlin plays a priest only adds satire to the film.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Paxster

Oct 23, 2010

An interesting take on religion to say the least. Probably not the most popular movie in Christian circles, Dogma produces an everyday subject matter in a original way. The movie did go on slightly too long but I did enjoy seeing a bit of Alan Rickman.

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

ingie44

Mar 24, 2014

Often witty, interesting and occasionally insightful I think this film is rather underrated. Its a unique and original way of looking at mythology and religion, and the characters are (for the most part) well thought out and written. There are perhaps a few too many pointless and dumb jokes,Often witty, interesting and occasionally insightful I think this film is rather underrated. Its a unique and original way of looking at mythology and religion, and the characters are (for the most part) well thought out and written. There are perhaps a few too many pointless and dumb jokes, for example the excremental, and the end left me feeling just a little unfulfilled but none the less it is definitely worth watching. The acting is excellent, the best I've ever seen from Ben Affleck and Matt Damon. Alan Rickman plays his part amazingly and in fact from all these actors we see brilliant performances and even a few surprisingly moving moments. This reveals that perhaps film had more potential, and I think with a few edits it could have been a real master piece. Overall a great film falling just a little off its potential, but still with many fantastic moments. Well worth watching.… Expand

3 of 3 users found this helpful30

Spangle

Jul 22, 2016

Dogma can be really, really stupid. It can also be very, very funny. It can also be very, very thought provoking and interesting when it comes to religion. It can also be all over-the-map. Actually, it's just all over-the-map. A smattering of humor, philosophy, and silly Kevin Smith antics,Dogma can be really, really stupid. It can also be very, very funny. It can also be very, very thought provoking and interesting when it comes to religion. It can also be all over-the-map. Actually, it's just all over-the-map. A smattering of humor, philosophy, and silly Kevin Smith antics, Dogma is Kevin Smith at his most Kevin Smith. Rife with sexual jokes, immature humor, Jay and Silent Bob antics, and interesting takes on life, Dogma is simply too inconsistent. As a comedy, it can be really funny, just not often enough. Far too many jokes are either too over-the-top or just not funny enough. Fortunately, the funny outnumber the unfunny, but the unfunny still take a noticeable place in the film. The acting is poor at times, though solid at others. The religious content is interesting at times, but just plain dumb at others. Essentially what I am saying is that Dogma is highly inconsistent on all fronts. If it had more of the good and less of the bad, it would be better. If only there was one less monster made of poop or if the logic in the film had continuity, or if the plot had continuity or if the logic had continuity, Dogma would be a solid film. As it stands, it is the remains of what could have been and even then, it is entertaining and well worth a watch.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

Nazgulero

Mar 23, 2011

As soon as I saw Ben Affleck appear, and that was after about 180 seconds, I knew this movie would suck the life out of you. The opening scene is like a cheap home video made by kids. The second scene is a priest presenting a ridiculous statue of Jesus to a small group of reporters. DidAs soon as I saw Ben Affleck appear, and that was after about 180 seconds, I knew this movie would suck the life out of you. The opening scene is like a cheap home video made by kids. The second scene is a priest presenting a ridiculous statue of Jesus to a small group of reporters. Did noone ever tell the filmmakers that crowd scenes are either to be large, or to be avoided at all costs, because otherwise they look cheap ? Anyway, we know Ben Affleck and Matt Damon are friends, but Matt's career took off, while Ben's did not.
Another one for the bin of worst movies of all time. How bad can they get ? Unbelievable.… Expand

0 of 11 users found this helpful011

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94	#94 Best Movie of 1999
30	#30 Most Discussed Movie of 1999
36	#36 Most Shared Movie of 1999