The Penitent
The Penitent (1988) isn’t faith-affirming drama—it’s lurid exploitation mocking Catholic penitents. In a devout New Mexico/Mexico village reenacting Christ’s Passion (flagellation, crucifixion), jealous husband Ramon (Raúl Juliá) joins fanatical Penitentes while his virginal wife Celia falls for ex-con friend Juan (Armand Assante), sparking deadly love triangle amid rituals. Directed by Cliff Osmond, it sensationalizes "primitive brutal" self-mortification as barbaric cult, blending sex, betrayal, and gore—not exploring redemption or biblical penance. Secular gaze shames Hispanic Catholic traditions as repressed pathology. Cherry-picks extremism to caricature piety, ignoring healthy devotion. Obscure PG-13 thriller for grindhouse fans, not believers.
Below are the streaming services currently carrying the movie “The Penitent” in Canada, along with how each offers it (subscription, buy, or rent) and a direct link. Licensing differs by market, so availability in Canada can differ from other countries.
Where to watch The Penitent in Canada
- Type
- —
- Starts
- Not available
- Ends
- Not available
- Category
- Not available
- Type
- —
- Starts
- Not available
- Ends
- Not available
- Category
- Not available
- Type
- —
- Starts
- Not available
- Ends
- Not available
- Category
- Not available
- Type
- —
- Starts
- Not available
- Ends
- Not available
- Category
- Not available
- Type
- —
- Starts
- Not available
- Ends
- Not available
- Category
- Not available
- Type
- —
- Starts
- Not available
- Ends
- Not available
- Category
- Not available
- Type
- —
- Starts
- Not available
- Ends
- Not available
- Category
- Not available
- Type
- —
- Starts
- Not available
- Ends
- Not available
- Category
- Not available
Not currently available on the supported providers in Canada.
Availability can change as licenses rotate — confirm on the provider’s page before subscribing. Last checked: 14 Sept 2026.