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Meryl Streep, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Amy Adams, Viola Davis, Alice Drummond ... see more see more... , Audrie J. Neenan , Joseph Foster II , Susan Blommaert , Carrie Preston , John Costelloe , Lloyd Clay Brown , Mike Roukis , Haklar Dezso , Frank Shanley , Robert Ridgell , Frank Dolce , Paulie Litt , Matthew Marvin , Bridget Megan Clark , Molly Chiffer , Lydia Jordan , Suzanne Hevner , Helen Stenborg , Tom Toner , Michael Puzzo , Margery Beddow , Jack O'Connell , Jack A. O'Connell , Marylouise Burke , Valda Setterfield

When the principal (Meryl Streep) of a Bronx Catholic High School accuses a popular priest (Philip Seymour Hoffman) of pedophilia, a young nun caught in between the feuding pair becomes hopelessly swe... read more read more...pt up in the ensuing controversy. 1964, St. Nicholas, the Bronx: The winds of change are sweeping through this tight-knit religious community, and charismatic priest Father Flynn (Philip Seymour Hoffman) is doing his best to adapt by revisiting the school's notoriously strict disciplinary practices. Unfortunately Father Flynn's progressive ideas stand in stark contrast to the longstanding beliefs of Sister Aloysius Beauvier (Meryl Streep), the iron-willed principal, who believes that an oppressive environment of punishment and fear is the only way to keep the student body in line. Suddenly into this tempestuous environment appears young Donald Miller, St. Nicholas' first black student. When hopeful innocent Sister James (Amy Adams) reluctantly reveals to Sister Beauvier that Father Flynn and Donald have been spending an unusual amount of time together in the church rectory, the unrelentingly righteous headmistress begins a merciless crusade to reveal the beloved clergyman as a lecherous child molester and have him permanently expunged from the school. Yet despite her moral certainty that Father Flynn has committed such an unspeakable transgression, Sister Beauvier has not a shred of actual evidence to back up her audacious claim. Now, as Sister Beauvier and Father Flynn enter into an epic battle of wills, the shock waves set into motion by their explosive confrontation threaten to destroy one man's reputation and tear apart the entire surrounding community. John Patrick Shanley adapted his own play for the screen under the guidance of producer Scott Rudin (The Queen, Notes on a Scandal). ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

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208 critics

PG-13, 1 hr. 44 min.

Directed by: John Patrick Shanley

Release Date: December 12, 2008

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DVD Release Date: April 7, 2009

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Flixster Reviews (13,682)

  • MrMarakai
    April 2, 2012
    MrMarakai
    John Patrick Shanley is probably better known for the 1987 film "Moonstruck" which garnered Cher a best actress Oscar and also one for himself in the screenplay department. He went on to direct "Joe Versus The Volcano" in 1990, to mixed results, but here he's back to his native N... read moreew York, doing what he does best and taking only his second stab at directing.
    In a Bronx Catholic school in the 1960's, stern and moralistic school principal Sister Aloysius Beauvier (Meryl Streep) suspects that gregarious priest Father Flynn (Philip Seymour Hoffman) has shown an unnatural and indecent interest in one of the school's alter boys. She is so certain of her suspicions but lacks the evidence to prove it, leading to a battle-of-wits between them.
    There are, easily, three main reasons why I enjoyed this film so much and they are: the three actors involved. Amy Adams is one of the strongest young actresses around at present and Streep and Hoffman are two of my all-time favourites. I never tire of watching them and to see them go head-to-head, chewing up the screen with powerful roles, is dramatic gold as far as I'm concerned. Such choice material though, ultimately rests with Shanley. His writing, not only has the characters in doubt but the omission of integral plot developments cleverly leaves the audience with doubts also. Is Father Flynn guilty of such indecency? Or, is Sister Aloysius bitter and slanderous toward the outgoing priest in order to retain her hierarchy? It's an intriguing confrontation, masterfully played out buy a relentless Streep and victimised Hoffman. Adams, meanwhile, is caught between the two in a wonderful show of innocence and hope. All three were Oscar nominated for their performances, and deservedly so. Viola Davis, as the alter boys struggling mother, also deserves mention with some strong displays of emotion. It's a film of performances and everyone is up to the task. Roger Deakins is another deserving of praise, with his exquisite cinematography. As always, his use of the camera captures the mood beautifully with some simple but lush and quaint images.
    Ambiguous and tantalising. Some may find the ambiguity frustrating but I found that it kept entirely in-touch with the theme of the film. That being, quite simply... doubt.
  • paulkoh110
    February 24, 2012
    paulkoh110
    Power House Acting!! Its really great when the acting ensemble blows you away! Fantastic!
  • fb100000257973100
    February 17, 2012
    fb100000257973100
    There are few films I have seen more times then Doubt, and yet I still find myself rewatching this film with the same rapid attention, eager, and love a I did the first time. While revisiting these characters, I started to wonder why such a small film based on a small play was so... read more riveting, so exciting, and so captivating that every time see that it is on I end up watching it? The reason is because the film's themes of trust and doubt effects us all.
    Take, for instance, the opening monologue by Father Flynn (Philip Seymour Hoffman). In the five minutes that speech is given, the tone is set for the film as we are presented with blurred facts about this popular priest and if he is a pedophile. Then you have the ball busting, completely in control performance of Meryl Streep as she tries her hardest to prove Flynn guilty. Finally you have Amy Adams playing the character that we all are: confused, innocent of what is going on, and caught in an emotional, moral, and spritual battle over who is right and wrong.
    Being written and directed by John Patrick Shanley, this is the only film he has made out of his four that still strikes a cord with audiences. He makes this film original, simple yet complex, and does not make the audience feel insulted. He on purpose does not give us all of the facts but left to us to figure out the truth. The best example of this is at the end when we see Streep and Hoffman duke it out in an office. Hearing them yell at each other, both of them being pushed to their limits, it is at this point that Shanley starts having us question Streep completely. Throughout the film, we only hear and see her perspective on everything. While this fight is playing out, we start to believe more and more that she is right. Then at the end, Shanley has Hoffman do something that makes us rethink everything.
    But one performance that really stunned me, more so than any of the actors I have mentioned, is the short performance of Viola Davis. She plays this young boy's mother who embodies most inner city mothers in the sense that she forsakes all rationality for her child as long as her child has an education and a guardian. What stunned me was how much she did not care if his innocents was on the line, as long as this priest was their.
    Then you have how relevant this film is to the world along with the psychological fear of outside influences of religion. This film is relevant to our world today due to the recent controversies with Vatican over child molestation, and this film not only treats the subject matter with stone cold seriousness, but also with respect and honor, knowing that if done wrong, this film could destroy everything that it represents. With psychological fear, you have to examine the character of Sister Aloysius (Streep). She is the type of person that wants everything to be like the traditional days of religion and America, where it was care free, no one was improper, and everything was old fashion. Aloysius is afraid of everything including Ball Point Pens being used in classrooms. This is worth mentioning because this is heavily counterattacked by Sister James (Adams) and Father Flynn. These two, when not fighting over allegations with molestation, are trying to tell Aloysius that it is okay to all things to change (as howled by Father Flynn to Aloysius: You are keeping this parish in the dark ages!).
    To say that this film is a masterpiece would be an understatement. This is one of the most simple, yet complex films about the catholic religion I have seen that is not science fiction. This film touches so many different ideas and topics that it is difficult to explain. With the performances from the cast and the direction/ writing from John Patrick Shenley, Doubt is a no holds bar film that hits for the gut and keeps you hooked until the final shot where you are left with your own idea of what really happened. This is a marvelous film.
  • FiLmCrAzY
    January 23, 2012
    FiLmCrAzY
    " I Have Doubts, Such Strong Doubts!"

    What a powerful ending, i loved the way it ended, i love that the Nun was questioning everything she believed in. Just fantastic!
    A fantastic cast, which then led to fantastic ending which deserved each of them a Golden Globe.
    Its a powerfu... read morel movie about a catholic priest and a black boy that get a bit to 'close', throughout the movie you never hear the words 'Molestered' or 'pedeophile' but from the way the story is being told and from Meryl Streeps character your lead to believe that, that is whats going, however this may not be the case hence the title 'Doubt', you aren't given a proper answer to the accusations which in all honestly could be false.
    Throughout the movie your given clues which i guess your ment to pick up on and deduce and come to your own decision, a couple of clues your given is that the priest played by seymore-hoffman has long nails which is very much emphasized throughout the movie which could suggest that the priest is gay which of course in his job and at that era that would be unexceptable!
    The second clue is that when Streep is speaking to the young black boys mother she's saying that the boy gets beaten by his father for it, and would be beaten and picked on in school usually. It doesnt say specifics into what she is talking about but again you are left thinking that shes knows about the supposedly 'abuse'; this movie is fantastic and is written very well and is mesmerizing!
    I'll leave it to your own mind as to what you think! Enjoy! :)
  • TheDudeLebowski65
    December 21, 2011
    TheDudeLebowski65
    Doubt was a very good film, but also I didn't think it was the greatest either. Despite my mixed feeling on Doubt, the cast for this film is excellent. I thought that the film was good, entertaining and very well directed. However I also thought that something was missing to real... read morely make it a memorable film. I enjoyed the film, but it wasn't the film that everyone says it was. The film certainly had good elements to make a good story, but lacked something to really make it memorable. I've seen much better films than Doubt. But for what it is, this is still a pretty good drama film and the cast here make it worthwhile. Doubt is a good film that entertaining, but is far from perfect. Director John Patrick Shanley does a pretty good job at helming this film, and he directs a very good cast here. However, in the end, I thought Doubt, though good was slightly disappointing. The film is hard to watch at times. The key performance here is of course Philip Seymour Hoffman who delivers the best performance of the film. The rest of the cast are great too. But the film does lack in some areas. Overall this is a good film to watch with good performances, and good directing. I enjoyed the film for what it was, but in the end, it was hard to watch at times, and for me, is not a film I would rewatch again and again.
  • DreamExtractor
    June 5, 2011
    DreamExtractor
    Wow, what an intense film, I found this to be a genius movie with a great plot, acting, and setting. Not only was this an intriguing and cool plot, it questions the nortions of a Catholic Church, and the troubles of people who have faith, and the ones who have to question theres... read more. The acting is the best part about the movie, because I didn't fiind one bad performance in this film. It was such abeautiful film that I didn't feel right giving it anything lower than 5 stars, which it deserves.
  • danperry17
    April 6, 2011
    danperry17
    It's painfully obvious that Doubt is based on a stage play, and in the worst ways: wordplay, for example, scenes that are occasionally agonizingly long, and a "famous last words"-type ending, where stern music and panning away will never quite compete with a falling curtain.

    W... read morehat the film has going for it, though, is fantastic acting: of five Oscar nominations, four were for acting. Two long scenes near the end, involving (1) Meryl Streep and Viola Davis, and (2) Streep and Philip Seymour Hoffman, were breathtaking chess games, incredibly well played, perhaps most meaningfully by Davis.

    Otherwise, the film is a topical drama-by-numbers. That doesn't mean it's not worth seeing: it occasionally wows with bristling dialogue, but otherwise it drags you through a laborious and somewhat predictable story. A good movie, but not a great one, largely because the adaptation wasn't fully tailored to the big screen.
  • YLOWBSTARDreturns
    January 19, 2011
    YLOWBSTARDreturns
    A simple story with great performances, but with this premise and subject matter I expected greater tension and emotional weight. Unfortunately I didn't really care for any character all that much and the lack of payoff Left me unsatisfied and cold. See it for the performances.
  • RCCLBC
    January 12, 2011
    RCCLBC
    I enjoyed this much more then I thought I would.

    It's a simple film (on the surface), but it's very deep if you take the time to really think about it.

    If you enjoy good writing and acting, you will enjoy this film but don't expect a tidy ending...it will leave you with "d... read moreoubts".
  • jamers2011
    December 29, 2010
    jamers2011
    Great performances by Meryl Streep, Phillip Seymour Hoffman, and Amy Adams. Throughout the film, I found myself anxious for the next scene where the 3 would be together; they worked wonderfully together. Also, mention must go to Viola Davis. She is only in a ten minute scene but ... read moreshe delivers a strong performance that got her an Oscar nomination. For me though, it was Amy Adams that steals the show. From her brilliant facial expressions, to her innocent yet powerful dialoque, to her simple hand movements, she gives a great performance. She is one of the most versatile actesses of our time, and my favorite.
    Definitely one of the best films of 2008! Nominated for 5 Academy Awards, 4 of which came from the acting, you must check this film out!

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Critic Reviews

Andrew Sarris
December 31, 2008
Andrew Sarris, New York Observer

John Patrick Shanley's Doubt left me less moved than querulously dissatisfied despite the impressive performances of Meryl Streep, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Amy Adams, and Viola Davis in all the key roles. Full Review

Tom Long
December 24, 2008
Tom Long, Detroit News

John Patrick Shanley the writer should never again hire John Patrick Shanley the director. Full Review

Roger Moore
December 23, 2008
Roger Moore, Orlando Sentinel

Thanks to a nearly perfect cast, this provocative glimpse into the Catholic priest child-molestation scandal manages to be deeply disturbing on several levels. Full Review

Amy Biancolli
December 19, 2008
Amy Biancolli, Houston Chronicle

Doubt asks hard questions, and we dutifully squirm in reply. Full Review

Kristin Tillotson
December 19, 2008
Kristin Tillotson, Minneapolis Star Tribune

While the Streep-Hoffman death match is the film's dramatic high point, its success lies in its defiant refusal to trot out even a slightly satisfying answer to the question: Did he or didn't he? Full Review

Steven Rea
December 19, 2008
Steven Rea, Philadelphia Inquirer

For all its high-caliber performances, its cutting dissection of the roles of men and women within the Catholic hierarchy, and its timely resonance in the wake of the church's sexual abuse scandals, t... Full Review

Lisa Kennedy
December 19, 2008
Lisa Kennedy, Denver Post

In the midst of a cast that should have wowed more, in the midst of a film that could have rattled more, Davis' sorrow upends all. Full Review

John Moore
December 19, 2008
John Moore, Denver Post

Doubt is a missed opportunity, all the way through to its final scene, which isn't nearly the statement it might have been. Full Review

Dana Stevens
December 15, 2008
Dana Stevens, Slate

Cinematically, Doubt is something of a dud. But if it remains a play, it's an ingeniously structured one, with smart, thought-provoking words spoken by fabulous actors. Full Review

Ben Mankiewicz
December 15, 2008
Ben Mankiewicz, At the Movies

Worth seeing. Full Review

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Facts

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    • Sister Aloysius Beauvier: In ancient Sparta, important matters were decided by who shouted loudest. Fortunately, we are not in ancient Sparta.
    • Father Brendan Flynn: Where's your compassion?
    • Sister Aloysius Beauvier: Nowhere you can get at it.
    • Father Brendan Flynn: You have no right to act on your own. You have taken vows; obedience being one. You answer to us. You have no right to step outside the church.
    • Sister Aloysius Beauvier: I will step outside the church! If that's what needs to be done, though the door should shut behind me, I will do what needs to be done!
    • Father Brendan Flynn: I can fight you.
    • Sister Aloysius Beauvier: You will lose.
    • Mrs. Miller: It's something in the child's nature.
    • Sister Aloysius Beauvier: I was married, and he died in Italy.
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Doubt Trivia

  • "No doubt the precogs have already seen this."  Answer »
  • Which movie does No Doubt lead singer Gwen Stefani make her debut in?  Answer »
  • "Rose, sometimes I doubt your commitment to Sparkle Motion." ...name the movie  Answer »
  • Name this Film "Prot is a patient at a mental hospital who claims to be from a far away planet. His psychiatrist tries to help him, only to begin to doubt his own explanations."  Answer »
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