The Unholy

  • 2021
  • PG-13
  • 99m
movieMx RATING
6.6/102.2K
VERDICT
HIT
Advertisement

Performance & Direction: The Unholy Review

Last updated: January 26, 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: January 26, 2026 🎟️ Verified Viewing

🎬 Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?

Is The Unholy (2021) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a HIT with a verified audience rating of 6.6/10. 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 Unholy features a noteworthy lineup led by Jeffrey Dean Morgan . Supported by the likes of Cricket Brown and William Sadler , 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 Unholy (2021) is generally positive. With an audience rating of 6.6/10, it stands as a highly recommended experience for genre enthusiasts.

Result: HIT
Based on verified audience sentiment and box office trajectory, The Unholy stands as a HIT.

Story & Plot Summary: The Unholy

Quick Plot Summary: The Unholy is a Horror, Mystery 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.

Story Breakdown

The horror unfolds through carefully crafted atmosphere and escalating dread. Alice is a young hearing-impaired girl who, after a supposed visitation from the Virgin Mary, is inexplicably able to hear, speak and heal the sick. As word spreads and people from near and far flock to witness her miracles, a disgraced journalist hoping to revive his career visits the small New England town to investigate. When terrifying events begin to happen all around, he starts to question if these phenomena are the works of the Virgin Mary or something much more sinister. The film uses both psychological terror and visceral scares, building tension through what's unseen as much as what's shown. The pacing allows for breathing room between scares, making each frightening moment more effective.

Narrative Structure

  • Opening Hook: An unsettling prologue sets the ominous tone, hinting at the terror to come while establishing the rules of this world.
  • Character Arc: The main character shows growth throughout the story, though some supporting characters could have been more fully realized. The arc is present but occasionally predictable.
  • Climax & Resolution: The final act escalates the terror to its peak, forcing characters to confront the source of horror directly.

Ending Explained: The Unholy

Ending Breakdown: The Unholy concludes its story with a mix of closure and open interpretation. 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 Unholy reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.

Who Should Watch The Unholy?

Worth Watching If You:

  • Enjoy Horror films and don't mind familiar tropes
  • Are a fan of the cast or director
  • Want a few scares and creepy atmosphere

Box Office Collection: The Unholy

Metric / RegionCollection (Approx)
Production Budget $10.0M
Worldwide Gross $30.8M
Trade Verdict CLEAN HIT

The Unholy Budget

The estimated production budget for The Unholy is $10.0M. 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.

Advertisement

Top Cast: The Unholy

All Cast & Crew →
William Sadler
William SadlerFather Hagan
Katie Aselton
Katie AseltonNatalie Gates
Cary Elwes
Cary ElwesBishop Gyles
Marina Mazepa
Marina MazepaMary of Elnor
Christine Adams
Christine AdamsMonica Slade
Dustin Tucker
Dustin TuckerDan Walsh
Gisela Chípe
Gisela ChípeSophia Walsh
Danny Corbo
Danny CorboToby Walsh
Advertisement

Where to Watch The Unholy Online?

Streaming Hub

🎟️ Rent on

Apple TV StoreApple TV Store
Google Play MoviesGoogle Play Movies
YouTubeYouTube
Amazon VideoAmazon Video

🏷️ Buy on

Apple TV StoreApple TV Store
Google Play MoviesGoogle Play Movies
YouTubeYouTube

The Unholy Parents Guide & Age Rating

2021 Advisory
PG-13

Official Age Rating

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

The Unholy is rated PG-13. Parents should be aware that it contains frightening scenes, intense suspense. Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13.

⏱️ Runtime & Duration

The total runtime of The Unholy is 99 minutes (1h 39m). Ensuring you have enough time for the full cinematic experience.

Verdict Summary

Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 6.6/10, and global performance metrics, The Unholy is classified as a HIT. It remains an essential part of the 2021 cinematic calendar.

HIT
Official movieMx status for The Unholy. Rating: 6.6/10

Frequently Asked Questions

Is The Unholy worth watching?

The Unholy is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Horror movies. It has a verified rating of 6.6/10 and stands as a HIT in our box office analysis.

Where can I find The Unholy parents guide and age rating?

The official parents guide for The Unholy identifies it as PG-13. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.

What is the total runtime of The Unholy?

The total duration of The Unholy is 99 minutes, which is approximately 1h 39m long.

Best Movies to Watch if you liked The Unholy

How The Unholy Compares & Where it Ranks

Critic Reviews for The Unholy

🛡️

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.

Advertisement
Expert Consensus
Live Rating
MOVIEMX
★ 6.6
The Unholy
<a href="https://moviemx.in/review/the-unholy-632357" target="_blank" style="text-decoration:none;"><div style="background:#121212;border:1px solid #f5c518;border-radius:12px;padding:15px;width:180px;text-align:center;font-family:sans-serif;box-shadow:0 10px 20px rgba(0,0,0,0.3);"><div style="color:#f5c518;font-size:10px;font-weight:900;letter-spacing:2px;">MOVIEMX</div><div style="color:white;font-size:28px;font-weight:900;margin:8px 0;">★ 6.6</div><div style="color:#888;font-size:12px;font-weight:500;">The Unholy</div></div></a>

Share this rating on your blog or website. Includes a 100% organic backlink.

More with Jeffrey Dean Morgan

View full filmography