While at a glance The Order looks like it might belong in the Satanist sub-genre of the horror spectrum, it's actually a study of the various sects within Catholicism and their dealings with demonic influences. More than that it's the story of the few remaining Colinian priests, and their quest to destroy the "Sin Eater" (Benno Furmann) who seemingly killed the head of their order. Soon enough it's found that not all of the mysteries of the Vatican are "good", and there's actually a heinous plan originating from the top of the church itself.

Star Heath Ledger does a good job with his role, and proves that even those born for the church are not infallible. Shannon Sossamon plays his love interest (bad news when you're a man of the Lord) to great effect, and it's genuinely upsetting the way she turns out and why. Even comedian Mark Addy (of TV's Still Standing) puts in a good performance as Ledger's comic relief.

While it is an interesting movie, and delves deep into the roots of the Catholic Church and its various offshoots, it's hard to call The Order a horror movie. There are some definite horror moments (including two creepy kids who may or may not be the spawn of Satan) and some easy scares for the uninitiated, but it never really strikes home that there is something of menace other than people in the church itself. Protagonists turn, as do antagonists, sometimes more than once which keeps the film interesting, if not a little confusing.

All in all though, The Order does a good job as a "religious thriller", but it certainly doesn't have enough horror for the enthusiasts who frequent this site. A real mixed bag, use your own discretion with this one. (Red, 7/27/04)

Second Opinon:
Over the years there's been plenty of religious themed horror/thrillers and most of them either work (like The Omen did), or fail (like this one does).

Writer-director Brian Helgeland brings back the principal cast members of his last film, the mediocre A Knight's Tale, with Heath Ledger starring as the member of an ancient order called the Carolingians who is sent to Rome to investigate the suspicious death of the head of the group. From there he's pulled into a bizarre World of Pagan cults and the "Sin Eater" (a mystic being who's supposed to swallow your soul and give you absolution) and he has to recruit the help of his almost alcoholic priest friend (Mark Addy) and a former flame (Shannyn Sossamon) on which he performed an exorcism years back.

Helgeland has brought to the table some alright visuals, a suitably dark mood, and a somewhat intriguing story; but the problem here is that it's a bit too slow going, the script feels a bit confused (for most of the running time the viewer has to wallow through muddled plotting), and Sossamon's character is nothing but pointless.

This isn't the "serial killer" flick it was advertised to be in the trailers, it's just a completely disappointing misfire that suffers from muddy storytelling, dullness, and a finale that sports one lame twist. (Chris Hartley, 12/19/04)

Directed By: Brian Helgeland.
Written By: Brian Helgeland.

Starring: Heath Ledger, Benno Furmann, Shannon Sossamon, Mark Addy.