believers

Satan worshippers have been a literary and cinematic standby for ages. But in the real world could all those demonic conspiracies really operate undiscovered? Think about it; if the finale of Breaking Bad can’t be kept on the down low for 24 hours, what chance does Lucifer have of quietly conquering the world?! Which just goes to show that one’s suspension of disbelief is severely put to the test in The Believers (1987), starring Martin Sheen as a police therapist whose family is targeted by a rogue cult with connections reaching into some of the highest levels of corporate America.

Mark Frost’s script – based on a novel by Nicholas Conde – makes no bones about his condemnation of the rich and powerful, characterizing the lot as ruthless elitists willing to exchange their first born for a golden ticket to the 1% club. It’s a timely criticism (then and now) exaggerated to almost comic effect. But it’s also a predictable one that never colors outside the lines, despite having a cast that was obviously up to the challenge.

Cal Jamison (Sheen), still mourning the loss of his wife in a tragic accident, moves with his son into the heart of New York City in an attempt make a new beginning. Just when things are looking up, Cal is called into consult on a case involving a paranoid cop (Jimmy Smits) who insists his life is in danger from supernatural forces. Lt. McTaggart (Robert Loggia) tries to brush it under the rug, but the situation escalates until Cal begins to suspect there might be some dangerous truth behind this offshoot of Santeria…and that his own family might be on their list.

The Believers contains one or two jolts that are best left unspoiled. But most of the story is content to telegraph itself to the cheap seats. It’s not as if the voodoo genre was played out; Wes Craven had a hit the very next year with The Serpent and the Rainbow. Director John Schlesinger just doesn’t have enough fuel to keep the fire going. The cast, including the consistently terrific Robert Loggia, gives it all they’ve got while Sheen brings some authenticity to the role and provides a refreshingly grown up hero. But The Believers, for all the class and distinction working behind the camera, just doesn’t put enough spectacle on the screen.

Arriving with a thunk in theaters, the film had some legs on home video and cable but seemed to fall off the radar in recent years. Twilight Time, who has established their own “cult” of collectors, picks up the baton with this 3000-copy limited edition Blu-ray that makes gracious amends. The transfer is remarkably rich and detailed, finally giving cinematographer Robby Muller his due, along with an isolated score track and the original theatrical trailer.