After recieving some rosary beads stolen from a deceased priest in Brazil; normal twenty-something Pittsburgh hairdresser Patricia Arquette starts to show the signs of stigmata (that is, suffering from the same wounds as Christ). This of course leads to plentyful problems as she constantly drips blood and has wacky freak-outs. Brought in by the church to investigate is priest Gabriel Byrne who slowly pieces together the truth while trying to help Arquette free from the demon within her.

Right from the opening credits honed specifically for the MTV generation we can tell this isn't going to be your average "demonic possession" riff. What it is, though, is a better than expected little flick that at least seems to be honest at its attempts at religious symbolism and angles (despite me hearing that many religious groups were pissed at the movie).

It's overflowing with arty direction and is efficient mainstream filmmaking if it seems to be lacking substance for the most part. Watchable and somewhat interesting with a cool possession scene that's definitely not for the squeamish.

Directed By: Rupert Wainwright.
Written By: Tom Lazarus, Rick Ramage.

Starring: Patricia Arquette, Gabriel Byrne, Jonathan Pryce, Nia Long.