The Rosary Murders

  • 1987
  • R
  • 105m
movieMx RATING
5.5/1034
VERDICT
ABOVE AVERAGE
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Performance & Direction: The Rosary Murders Review

Last updated: February 2, 2026

movieMx Editorial Team
REVIEWED BY

movieMx Editorial Team

🔍 Cinematic Analysis Expert

Leading cinematic analysis expert with over 10 years of experience in Bollywood and Hollywood box office tracking. Reviewed 500+ films with a focus on narrative structure and commercial profitability.

📅 Updated: February 2, 2026 🎟️ Verified Viewing

🎬 Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?

Is The Rosary Murders (1987) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE with a verified audience rating of 5.5/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Crime.

🎭 Cast Performances: A Masterclass

The success of any Crime is often anchored by its ensemble, and The Rosary Murders features a noteworthy lineup led by Donald Sutherland . Supported by the likes of Charles Durning and Belinda Bauer , 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 Rosary Murders (1987) is mixed. With an audience rating of 5.5/10, it stands as a decent one-time watch.
Result: ABOVE AVERAGE
Based on verified audience sentiment and box office trajectory, The Rosary Murders stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE.

Story & Plot Summary: The Rosary Murders

Quick Plot Summary: The Rosary Murders is a Crime, Mystery, Thriller, Horror film that dives into the criminal underworld with a grounded sense of realism and complex morality. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict and narrative structure.

Ending Explained: The Rosary Murders

Ending Breakdown: The Rosary Murders attempts to tie together its various plot elements. The finale presents its approach to crime 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 crime themes established throughout the runtime.

The final moments of The Rosary Murders reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.

The Rosary Murders Real vs. Reel: Is it Based on a True Story?

The Rosary Murders incorporates elements from real criminal cases. As a crime, mystery, thriller, horror film, it navigates the space between factual accuracy and narrative engagement.

Historical Context

The film takes creative liberties to enhance dramatic impact. Core events maintain connection to source material while adapting for theatrical presentation.

Creative interpretation shapes the final narrative, focusing on emotional truth over strict chronology.

Accuracy Assessment: The Rosary Murders adapts its source material for dramatic purposes. The film prioritizes thematic resonance over documentary precision.

Who Should Watch The Rosary Murders?

Consider Watching If:

  • You're a completist for Crime films
  • You're curious despite mixed reviews
  • You have low expectations and want casual entertainment

Box Office Collection: The Rosary Murders

Metric / RegionCollection (Approx)
Worldwide Gross $1.7M
Trade Verdict FINANCIAL DISAPPOINTMENT
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Top Cast: The Rosary Murders

All Cast & Crew →
Donald Sutherland
Donald SutherlandFather Robert Koesler
Charles Durning
Charles DurningFather Ted Nabors
Belinda Bauer
Belinda BauerPat Lennon
Josef Sommer
Josef SommerLieutenant Koznicki
James Murtaugh
James MurtaughRobert Javison
Leila Danette
Leila DanetteMrs. Washington
Addison Powell
Addison PowellFather Edward Killeen
Kathleen Tolan
Kathleen TolanSister Ann Vania
Tom Mardirosian
Tom MardirosianDetective Fallon
Anita Barone
Anita BaroneIrene Jimenez
John Danelle
John DanelleDetective Harris
Anna Minot
Anna MinotSister Mary Martyrs
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Where to Watch The Rosary Murders Online?

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The Rosary Murders Parents Guide & Age Rating

1987 Advisory
R

Official Age Rating

Wondering about The Rosary Murders age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:

The Rosary Murders is rated R. Parents should be aware that it contains frightening scenes, intense suspense, mature themes, violence. It is intended for mature audiences only.

⏱️ Runtime & Duration

The total runtime of The Rosary Murders is 105 minutes (1h 45m). Ensuring you have enough time for the full cinematic experience.

Verdict Summary

Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 5.5/10, and global performance metrics, The Rosary Murders is classified as a ABOVE AVERAGE. It remains an essential part of the 1987 cinematic calendar.

ABOVE AVERAGE
Official movieMx status for The Rosary Murders. Rating: 5.5/10

Frequently Asked Questions

Is The Rosary Murders worth watching?

The Rosary Murders is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Crime movies. It has a verified rating of 5.5/10 and stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE in our box office analysis.

Where can I find The Rosary Murders parents guide and age rating?

The official parents guide for The Rosary Murders identifies it as R. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.

What is the total runtime of The Rosary Murders?

The total duration of The Rosary Murders is 105 minutes, which is approximately 1h 45m long.

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How The Rosary Murders Compares & Where it Ranks

Critic Reviews for The Rosary Murders

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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.

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Expert Consensus
Live Rating
MOVIEMX
★ 5.5
The Rosary Murders
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