Watch THE CONFESSIONAL

The Confessional is an indie psychological thriller film from 2009, directed and written by James Anthony Cotton. It showcases the story of a young Catholic priest named Father Daniel Clemens, played by a talented actor, Peter Quartaroli, who is haunted by his past sins and personal demons. Confined to the dark and eerie confessional box of his church, he's forced to confront a series of murders that are happening in his small town, thus leading him to face the buried secrets of his past.

The film starts with a disturbing opening sequence involving a gruesome murder. A young teenage girl is killed, adding to the list of similar killings that have been happening around the town. Father Daniel Clemens, who is trying to find his way back on the path of righteousness, somehow gets involved in the investigations. Detective Grayson, played by Victor Browne, is the investigating officer who gets Father Clemens to assist him in the case.

Father Clemens' personal life is in turmoil from the beginning. He's still recovering from his addiction to drugs and struggling with re-finding his faith in the Church. He's haunted by the experiences from his past life, and the sudden re-appearance of Laura, his ex-girlfriend (played by Jane Longenecker) doesn't make things any easier for him.

The Confessional is a character-driven film that relies heavily on dialogues and monologues. It's one of those slow-burn storytelling methods, where the audience is given a peek into Father Clemens' troubled and mysterious past. As the film progresses, it becomes apparent that all the murdered victims had secrets of their own, hinting at the underlying subtext of the film.

The film's pacing is intentionally sluggish, with a lot of scenes involving Father Clemens' confessions in his dark confessional box. The character of Laura, his ex-girlfriend, is a bit underdeveloped and feels like she's only there for the sole purpose of the plot. On the other hand, Detective Grayson's character is well-developed, and his chemistry with Father Clemens is what keeps the film moving forward.

The cinematography of the film is excellent, and the film's gritty and dimly lit atmosphere adds to the overall creepy vibe of the story. The Confessional will keep you on the edge of your seat, with several suspenseful moments and jump scares.

The Confessional is a film that explores the theme of redemption, morality, and the complex human psyche. It's a film that tries to make peace with the past and find a way to move on in life. At the core of the film, it's a psychological thriller that deals with the consequences of one's actions, the internal struggle with one's faith, and the nature of sin.

In conclusion, The Confessional is a slow-burn psychological thriller that relies on suspenseful moments and dialogues. While the pacing of the film might feel sluggish at times, the excellent cinematography and acting performances make it a worthy watch. The film's theme of redemption and the complex human psyche make The Confessional stand out from other psychological thriller films. So, if you're a fan of slow-burn, character-driven films, The Confessional is definitely worth checking out.

THE CONFESSIONAL is a 2009 action movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 57 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.8.