Performance & Direction: The Believers Review
Last updated: January 21, 2026
Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?
Is The Believers (1987) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE with a verified audience rating of 5.9/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Horror.
Cast Performances: A Masterclass
The success of any Horror is often anchored by its ensemble, and The Believers features a noteworthy lineup led by Martin Sheen . Supported by the likes of Helen Shaver and Harley Cross , the performances bring a palpable realism to the scripted words.
Performance Analysis: While the cast delivers competent and professional performances, they are occasionally hampered by a script that leans into familiar archetypes.
Final Verdict: Is it Worth Watching?
In summary, our editorial assessment of The Believers (1987) is mixed. With an audience rating of 5.9/10, it stands as a highly recommended experience for genre enthusiasts.
Story & Plot Summary: The Believers
Quick Plot Summary: The Believers is a Horror, Mystery, Thriller film that crafts an atmosphere of dread and suspense, using psychological terror and visual scares. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict and narrative structure.
Ending Explained: The Believers
Ending Breakdown: The Believers attempts to tie together its various plot elements. The finale presents its approach to horror resolution.
The final reveal recontextualizes earlier scenes, offering viewers material for post-viewing discussion.
Ending Analysis:
- Narrative Resolution: The story concludes by addressing its primary narrative threads, providing closure while maintaining some ambiguity.
- Character Arcs: Character journeys reach their narrative endpoints, reflecting the film's thematic priorities.
- Thematic Payoff: The ending reinforces the horror themes established throughout the runtime.
The final moments of The Believers reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.
Who Should Watch The Believers?
Consider Watching If:
- You're a completist for Horror films
- You're curious despite mixed reviews
- You have low expectations and want casual entertainment
Box Office Collection: The Believers
| Metric / Region | Collection (Approx) |
|---|---|
| Production Budget | $13.0M |
| Worldwide Gross | $18.8M |
| Trade Verdict | FINANCIAL DISAPPOINTMENT |
The Believers Budget
The estimated production budget for The Believers is $13.0M. This figure covers principal photography, talent acquisitions, and visual effects. When accounting for global marketing and distribution, the break-even point is typically 2x the base production cost.
Top Cast: The Believers
All Cast & Crew →
Where to Watch The Believers Online?
Streaming Hub📺 Stream on
MGM Plus Amazon ChannelThe Believers Parents Guide & Age Rating
1987 AdvisoryWondering about The Believers age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:
⏱️ Runtime & Duration
The total runtime of The Believers is 114 minutes (1h 54m). Ensuring you have enough time for the full cinematic experience.
Final Verdict
Analyzing the audience sentiment, IMDb rating of 5.9/10, and global collection metrics, The Believers stands as a challenging project for the creators. It remains an essential piece of the 1987 cinematic year.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Believers worth watching?
The Believers is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Horror movies. It has a verified rating of 5.9/10 and stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE in our box office analysis.
Where can I find The Believers parents guide and age rating?
The official parents guide for The Believers identifies it as R. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.
What is the total runtime of The Believers?
The total duration of The Believers is 114 minutes, which is approximately 1h 54m long.
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How The Believers Compares & Where it Ranks
Critic Reviews for The Believers
***Unpleasant big city crime drama with Martin Sheen that morphs into sorcery-oriented horror*** A widowed therapist (Martin Sheen) moves back to New York City to find himself assisting the NYPD in a series of slayings linked to a Caribbean Voodoo-like cult. Things get worse when he discovers they want his son for a human sacrifice. Helen Shaver plays his landlord and possible romantic interest. “The Believers” (1987) is an adult-oriented crime drama that gets increasingly horrific. The plot and tone are akin to “Wolfen” (1981), albeit with the brujería cult replacing the super-wolves. It’s leagues superior to the similar “The Serpent and the Rainbow” (1988). The diabolic angle makes for some ugliness (e.g. death due to electric shock, suicides, grisly sacrifices, snakes and creepy arachnids), but there are rays of light as well. Sheen is outstanding as the protagonist while Shaver offers her wares to the table. The shocking spider sequence was later ripped off by "Urban Legends: Bloody Mary" (2005). The movie runs 1 hour, 44 minutes, and was shot in New York City & Toronto. GRADE: B-
movieMx Verified
This review has been verified for accuracy and editorial quality by our senior cinematic analysts.
This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.
