Agnes is a creepy thriller movie, but it also touches on a lot of deep and heavy topics like grief and trauma.
Agnes is a dark, creepy thriller that does so much more than just scare its viewers — it touches on deep and heavy topics like grief and trauma. Themes like this are not often discussed in this genre of film, so it something that the audience can truly appreciate. This movie is so intense that it practically begs for a second, and even third watch, so that the viewer can take everything in and fully understand it all, which is not to say that it is confusing, just that it deserves multiple watches.
In Agnes, a young Sister Agnes is believed to have become possessed by a demon after she screams obscenities and has a rage filled outburst on her fellow sisters. Father Donoghue is assigned to the case, and travels to the convent to see what he can do for this young woman, along with a young priest who has not yet taken his vows, Benjamin.
As the story goes on, everyone’s faith is tested in ways they never expected it to be. Something that works very well in this is movie is that it feels like two totally different movies at one point. Without giving spoilers, it drastically changes about halfway through, as it continues to follow one of the main characters, Mary, through her life.
Viewers will learn about her friendship with Agnes, why she went to the convent, and a whole lot more about her life. The darkness of the cinematography and the score, we well as the way Agnes is unafraid to talk about religion, both in a positive and negative light, is something that should be admired.
There is a whole lot below the surface here, especially in the second half of the film, that should not be ignored. While yes, it is a thriller type movie with some jump scares, and a creepy, possibly possessed nun, there is a deeper meaning to the movie.
Agnes touches on trauma and grief, and how people deal with that differently. It also touches on deception. There is a lot to unpack here, and it is something that should happily be watched time and time again, so that the viewer can get the full understanding of it.
About Agnes
Inside a quaint convent, young Sister Agnes explodes with an outburst of rage and blasphemy, causing the church to send veteran priest Father Donaghue and a younger priest-on-the-rise, Benjamin, to investigate the incident as a potential demonic possession. The heads of the church have an ulterior motive behind assigning this specific case to Father Donaghue, who’s been recently disgraced; Benjamin, meanwhile, feels suspicious of the whole endeavor. While at the convent, the young priest takes a shine to the reserved Sister Mary, Agnes’ closest friend who’s taken the evil spell especially hard. As the two clergymen get deeper into the situation, all involved have their respective faiths tested, namely Mary.
Dubbed the “Soderbergh of the Sticks” by his ever-growing fanbase of indie cult cinema aficionados, Oklahoma native Mickey Reece has been making idiosyncratic DIY genre films for over a decade. With the bold and offbeat Agnes, the prolific writer-director, ever the iconoclast, flips the possession film on its spinning, vile-spewing head, delivering not only the best new entry into the exorcism horror canon in years, but also the most daring. After thriving in the underground for so long, Reece is overdue for a breakout. Thanks to Agnes, it’s officially time. – Matt Barone
Agnes debuted at Tribeca Film Festival 2021.
Tessa Smith is a Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer-approved Film and TV Critic. On Camera personality and TV / Film Critic with 10+ years of experience in video editing, writing, editing, moderating, and hosting.