The Shrine (2010)

40% of users liked it
(688 ratings)

After a young American backpacker goes missing in Europe, a group of journalists link his disappearance to a remote village in Poland. They travel there hoping to get the story, but as they unravel the secrets behind this mysterious village, they are suddenly pursued by hostile locals. Unable to… More After a young American backpacker goes missing in Europe, a group of journalists link his disappearance to a remote village in Poland. They travel there hoping to get the story, but as they unravel the secrets behind this mysterious village, they are suddenly pursued by hostile locals. Unable to escape, they soon become the next victims of ritualistic human sacrifice. Forced into the gruesome reality of true survival horror, the journalists will discover that this village hides a much darker secret than they could ever imagine. -- (C) IFC Films

Play Trailer

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 25 min.
Directed By: Jon Knautz
Genres: Mystery & Suspense, Horror

On DVD: May 7, 2012
Studio: IFC Midnight

Critic Reviews

Anton Bitel, Eye for Film
The Shrine is horror just going through the motions - dull and perfunctory, with nowhere near enough polish to match its broken Polish.
Scott Weinberg, FEARnet
Even with its familiar trappings and some occasional bumps in the road, The Shrine is an enjoyable little throwback.
JimmyO, iamROGUE
The Shrine builds and builds and builds, until it finally shows just what it is made of.

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

J P

The story is completely unoriginal and the writing could definitely use some work. The plot is so forced and the characters make awful decisions and the girl characters are painfully obnoxious. Like SO obnoxious. The guy character is the only rational one out of the bunch. All are… More
The story is completely unoriginal and the writing could definitely use some work. The plot is so forced and the characters make awful decisions and the girl characters are painfully obnoxious. Like SO obnoxious. The guy character is the only rational one out of the bunch. All are terrible actors though. They aren't passionate enough. If someone was about to nail a metal bolt into your head, I expect you to do more than just whimper quietly. It's a really stupid storyline. Nothing that creepy about it considering it's been done 1,000,000,000,000 times before. I also hated the ending. I hate movies where the writer just has NO clue how the fuck he's going to end the film. He thinks about a bunch of different possible endings, but they all seem stupid/dumb/lame/etc. so in the end he just says "You know what? Let's just say *SPOILER* the town was cursed and that's why everything is happening." Like really? A curse? It would've been better if he had left the audience guessing or actually used some creativity to make a decent ending that didn't suck. I've seen so many movies that just end horribly like this one. Endings like this not only make the film worse, but they show the true laziness of the writers.
MisterYoda ?

2 and a half stars
Daniel P

Sometimes inventive, sometimes derivative horror with supernatural twists, "The Shrine" makes good use of a modest budget with atmosphere piled on just with the of some (blue-screened) fog and a hideous looking statue. Nicking bits of "The Ruins", "The… More
Sometimes inventive, sometimes derivative horror with supernatural twists, "The Shrine" makes good use of a modest budget with atmosphere piled on just with the of some (blue-screened) fog and a hideous looking statue. Nicking bits of "The Ruins", "The Exorcist" and "The Wicker Man", some of the film's greatest strengths are the WTF factor and the refreshing lack of explanation. The short running time keeps things moving, and the script is unfussy. Destined for cult status, and worth a look.
Greg A

I love Aaron Ashmore's character in that he does not follow cliche horror film logic, his actions are motivated by a heightened survival instinct. It's not his words that instill great hope in me but his actions that however seemingly subtle they may be reassure me… More
I love Aaron Ashmore's character in that he does not follow cliche horror film logic, his actions are motivated by a heightened survival instinct. It's not his words that instill great hope in me but his actions that however seemingly subtle they may be reassure me "this is the guy who does not want to die and knows how survive." It is a creepy gem hidden away from the mainstream's eye and I thoroughly enjoyed it.... Also, anyone notice Polish Ryan Gosling in this? Ha!
Francisco G

Americans in rural foreign land about to get their asses smacked? Check. No one knows they're there? Check. Creepy villagers? Check. Creepy children? Check. What's that? Want some more clichés? Ok then. Crazy cultists? Check. Pitched voices and sound… More
Americans in rural foreign land about to get their asses smacked? Check. No one knows they're there? Check. Creepy villagers? Check. Creepy children? Check. What's that? Want some more clichés? Ok then. Crazy cultists? Check. Pitched voices and sound effects heard millions of times before? Double check. Curses? Check. Problems with cars? Check. Getting stuck in the cellars? Check. What's that? Had enough of clichés? Ok then. Was only creeped out by the statue scene, the execution is competent but the ideas have been exhaustively explored on many other flicks.
John M

¨The Shrine¨ is an effective horror movie that initially it seems like "Hostel". The acting was pretty good and there are some nice creepy effects and moments. Very pleasantly surprise!
d j

It surprised me. Actually suspenseful and dare I say scary?!?! The trailer does not match up to this movie.......