For centuries, a secret Order of priests has existed within the Church. A renegade priest, Father Alex Bernier, is sent to Rome to investigate the mysterious death of one of the Order's most revered members. Following a series of strangely similar killings, Bernier launches an investigation that forces him to confront unimaginable evil.
Acting
Ledger commits to every absurd line like it's Shakespeare
Cinematography
Rome looks gorgeously cursed throughout
Costume
Those cassocks are doing heavy lifting
Director
Brian Helgeland
Heath Ledger
Alex Bernier
Shannyn Sossamon
Mara Sinclair
Benno Fürmann
William Eden
Mark Addy
Thomas Garrett
Peter Weller
Driscoll
Francesco Carnelutti
Dominic
Mattia Sbragia
Apathetic Bishop
Richard Bremmer
Bookstore Owner
Maria Cristina Maccà
Sister Franca
Rosalinda Celentano
Faraway Eyes Girl
Alessandra Costanzo
Eden's Maid
Paolo Lorimer
Englishman
John Karlsen
Eden's Manservant
David Ambrosi
Demon
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Brian Helgeland wrote this immediately after A Knight's Tale, making this his 'what if knights but priests' phase. Ledger signed on during his post-Patriot heartthrob pivot to Serious Roles.
The 'sin eater' concept here bastardizes actual Welsh and Scottish funeral folklore—real sin-eaters were poor outcasts, not hot immortal priests with apartment aesthetics.
US
