Watch Corpus Christi

Corpus Christi is a powerful drama movie directed by Jan Komasa that explores themes of religion, social inequality, forgiveness and redemption. The film was released in 2019 and has received widespread critical acclaim, including an Oscar nomination for Best International Feature Film. The story is centered around a young man named Daniel, played by Bartosz Bielenia, who is released from a juvenile detention center after serving time for a violent crime. Despite his aspirations of becoming a priest, he is forbidden to pursue his calling due to his criminal record. However, when he is mistaken for a young priest and sent to a small town to take over the parish, he seizes the opportunity to live out his dream.

Throughout the film, we witness Daniel struggling to reconcile his past sins with his newfound sense of purpose. As he begins to connect with the townspeople, he quickly learns that the seemingly perfect facade masking their lives is not as it seems. The film examines the hypocrisy of religious institutions, revealing the reality of the townspeople's complicated and often difficult lives. Daniel's unconventional methods and connection with the community make him beloved by many, but also cause him to clash with the local priest, who is set in his ways and doesn't approve of Daniel's approach. Despite his emotional turmoil, Daniel's journey of self-discovery is inspiring and the movie is a thought-provoking exploration of redemption.

The standout performance of Bartosz Bielenia is truly captivating. He portrays Daniel's internal turmoil with incredible depth and sincerity. His compelling portrayal effectively captures the fragility of a young man desperate to make amends for his past mistakes. Additionally, Aleksandra Konieczna delivers a strong portrayal of the stern and unforgiving local church elder, who is initially against Daniel's reform and eventual growth. The supporting cast of the film, including Mateusz Kosciukiewicz, gives standout performances that add depth to the film's narrative.

The cinematography of Corpus Christi is strong and emotive with Komasa's close-ups and striking use of shadows creating an atmosphere of intimacy and introspection. The film's score works perfectly with the narrative and the sound team delivers a layered sound design that further compliments the film's themes.

Overall, Corpus Christi is a heavily emotional and thought-provoking drama that truly succeeds at exploring the human condition through its complicated narrative, deep character study and powerful performances. The film never shies away from the tough questions, instead, it tackles them head on with the grace and nuance that only masterful storytelling can provide. While exploring the different facets of forgiveness and social inequality, the movie ultimately provides hope for redemption, even in the most challenging of circumstances. Notably, the film asks the audience to wonder whether it is possible to redeem oneself from the sins of their past, astutely stepping into the complexities and contradictions of society, faith, and human nature.

Corpus Christi is a 2020 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 55 minutes.