the body 2001 movie review

• Share full article

Advertisement

Supported by

FILM IN REVIEW

FILM IN REVIEW; 'The Body'

By Elvis Mitchell

• April 20, 2001

Directed by Jonas McCord

PG-13, 100 minutes

''All I wanted to do was dig a basement,'' cracks Hamid (Makhram J. Khoury), a Jerusalem shopkeeper in the frenetic adventure film ''The Body.'' The story: a skeleton that may be the body of Jesus is discovered, which would mean that He was mortal.

''This is not the body of Christ,'' says Cardinal Pesci (John Wood), who has a vested interest in proving his contention to be true. Such implications haven't been raised since the glory days of crummy mini-studios like Sunn Classic Pictures, which released movies that featured titles far more compelling than the pictures themselves. (''In Search of Historic Jesus'' and ''In Search of Noah's Ark'' come to mind.) Since there is no longer a film company based solely on submediocrity, we have to make do with occasional lapses like ''The Body,'' which assumes the old Sunn Classic mantle by whipping up hysteria in the doldrums.

Antonio Banderas is Matt Gutierrez, an archaeologist with an ultrasultry manner and concave-of-cheek good looks who is also a priest. (He suffers a stoning while checking out the dig, which conveniently gives him a chance to take off his shirt.) ''Not many of our priests are ex-combat soldiers,'' Cardinal Pesci says admiringly -- maybe a little too admiringly -- of Matt, who has packed a lot of living into his C.V., having also been involved with military intelligence.

Assigned by the Vatican to get to the heart of this mystery, Matt is teamed with another archaeologist, the widowed Sharon, who is almost as fetching as he is. (She is played by Olivia Williams, a talented actress it's not safe to be married to; she lost her husbands in ''Rushmore,'' ''The Sixth Sense'' and now ''The Body.'') Together they must ascertain whose body has been found and overcome the extremely laughable dialogue in the bargain.

When the characters like Lavelle (Derek Jacobi) aren't bellowing sound bites like ''What if it's Him? The unrisen Christ? The end of Christianity!,'' ''The Body'' is a movie about a volatile situation that is oddly short of tension as the Vatican, the Israelis and the Palestinians wait on the movie's version of tenterhooks, which here has more the effect of a calming cup of chamomile tea. ''God has no place in politics,'' Matt says, in a touching display of navet; perhaps his time in military intelligence left him unaware of the Crusades and the Spanish Inquistion.

All the action takes place a beat too slow, as if the writer and director Jonas McCord's reflexes were failing him. The sluggishness of ''The Body'' may remind viewers of a joke David Letterman used to make: if the film were a fight, they'd have stopped it.

''The Body'' is rated PG-13 (Parents strongly cautioned) for violence and language not suited to the Bible. ELVIS MITCHELL

At the start of writer-director Jonas McCord's "The Body," as a shaft of dusty sunlight peers inside an ancient tomb revealing the skeletal remains of what just might be the body of Jesus Christ, there's the promise that, at last, a mainstream film might confront the deep-set contradictions between scientific discovery and religious dogma.

By Scott Foundas

Scott Foundas

• Film Review: ‘Black Mass’ 9 years ago
• Film Review: ‘The Runner’ 9 years ago
• Film Review: ‘Straight Outta Compton’ 9 years ago

At the start of writer-director Jonas McCord’s “ The Body ,” as a shaft of dusty sunlight peers inside an ancient tomb revealing the skeletal remains of what just might be the body of Jesus Christ, there’s the promise that, at last, a mainstream film might confront the deep-set contradictions between scientific discovery and religious dogma. But by pic’s haphazard finale — in which said bones are jammed into a suitcase and tossed about amid gunfire and chaos — “The Body” has shown its true colors as less a serious religious-themed film than a moth-eaten tapestry of foreign intrigue and badly miscast international stars to rival the Cannon Films productions of the 1980s. Despite a toplined Antonio Banderas, pic is all-but-bypassing a theatrical release on its way to video and pay TV anonymity.

Related Stories

2024 Live Music Business Is Driving Record Revenues, but Some Data Points Raise Concerns

'Ripley,' 'Fallout,' 'Fargo' and 'Oppenheimer' Take Top Honors at Location Managers Guild Awards

Popular on variety.

There is some initial fascination to the matter-of-fact way in which McCord, adapting the novel by Richard Ben Sapir, depicts the discovery and subsequent authentication of his controversial corpse. Setting foot inside the tomb, which is discovered behind a small Jerusalem hardware store, Israeli archaeologist Sharon Golban (a rather unconvincing Olivia Williams) then stumbles into a hidden chamber containing a meticulously preserved skeleton. The wrists and ankles bear evidence of crucifixion. The skull is scarred by what might have been a crown of thorns.

The Vatican dispatches Father Matt Gutierrez (Banderas) to formulate an expert opinion, no matter that Gutierrez is no archaeologist. The Catholic Church — depicted here in the same tiresomely bilious, conspiratorial tones as in the recent “Stigmata” and “Lost Souls” — does not seek an honest evaluation of the situation so much as a rote dismissal of it.

Gutierrez is depicted as one of the last noble members of a corrupt institution. And, as word of the discovery begins to circulate, he and Sharon find themselves subject not only to the machinations of the Catholic Church, but to stoning by Orthodox Jews and blackmail schemes engineered by warring Israeli and Palestinian factions.

Though it could hardly arrive at a choicer moment, “The Body” misses a prime opportunity to make some kind of meaningful statement about the current unrest in the Middle East. More troubling, it fails to satisfactorily address Gutierrez’s own inner struggle between his faith and the evidence before his very eyes.

What would the uncovering of Christ’s body really mean to the church? To this man? Such inquiry stops squarely after the first reel or so, clearing the way for a windup series of lethargic, would-be thrills, in which the body itself becomes roughly as significant as a case full of cash or an elusive bit of microfilm.

McCord, who previously co-wrote the Harold Becker-directed “Malice,” clutters his frames with religious symbols and regalia, but shows no authentic feel for space or locale. In addition to Williams, a number of Brits, including John Wood and Derek Jacobi (struggling with a phlegmatic accent in what is far from his finest onscreen hour) are awkwardly placed in Italian or Israeli roles. And frequent crowd scenes are among the most static and unmotivated in memory.

Despite craft contributions by such heavy-hitters as lenser Vilmos Zsigmond and production designer Allan Starski, pic’s look is mostly flat and unspectacular, and at least half the dialogue is sloppily post-synched.

• Production: An Avalanche Films release of an Avalanche Films and Helkon Media AG presentation, in association with Green Moon Prods., of a Diamant/Cohen production. (International sales: MDP Worldwide, L.A.) Produced by Rudy Cohen. Executive producers, Diane Sillan Isaacs, Werner Koenig, Mark Damon, Moshe Diamant. Directed, written by Jonas McCord, based on the novel by Richard Ben Sapir.
• Crew: Camera (color, Panavision widescreen), Vilmos Zsigmond; editor, Alain Jakubowicz; music, Serge Colbert; production designer, Allan Starski; art directors, Nenad Pecur, Giora Porter; set decorators, William A. Cimino, Miguel Merkin; costume designer, Caroline Harris; sound (Dolby Digital), Yohai Moshe; supervising sound editor, Jonathan Bates; associate producers, Limor Diamant; assistant directors, Nick Heckstall-Smith, Itai Tamir; casting, Celestia Fox, Ilana Diamant. Reviewed at Raleigh Studios, L.A., April, 10, 2001. MPAA Rating: PG-13. Running time: 109 MIN.
• With: Father Matt Gutierrez - Antonio Banderas Sharon Golban - Olivia Williams Moshe Cohen - John Shrapnel Father Lavelle - Derek Jacobi Father Walter Winstead - Jason Flemyng Cardinal Pesci - John Wood Nasir Hamid - Makhram J. Khoury Monsignor - Vernon Dobtcheff Dr. Sproul - Ian McNeice Aby Yusef - Muhamed Bakri

More from Variety

Kabir Khan, Imtiaz Ali, Rima Das and Onir’s IFFM Opener ‘My Melbourne’ Unveils Trailer (EXCLUSIVE) – Global Bulletin

The Future of FAST: A Special Report on Free Streaming

George Clooney Says Hollywood Is Getting ‘Eaten Up by Big Walmarts and Amazons Around the World’ When Asked About Paramount Being Sold

Bollywood Horror-Comedy Sequel ‘Stree 2’ Wins Indian Independence Day Weekend Box Office – Global Bulletin

Fubo’s Battle With Venu Sports Is a Stopgap Measure

Stockard Channing, Michael Praed to Headline ‘The Gates of Kyiv’ – Global Bulletin

More from our brands, why are donald trump and tim walz both talking about bruce springsteen.

7 Can’t-Miss Sparkling Wines to Celebrate the Holidays

Commanders Commit to a New, Improved Sean Taylor Statue

The Best Loofahs and Body Scrubbers, According to Dermatologists

Orphan Black: Echoes Finale: Creator Anna Fishko Talks Tatiana Maslany, [Spoiler]’s Fate and Hopes for Season 2

The Body (2001)

Directed by jonas mccord.

• AllMovie Rating 4
• User Ratings ( 0 )
• Your Rating
• Overview ↓
• User Reviews ↓
• Cast & Crew ↓
• Streams ↓
• Related ↓

Description by Wikipedia

The Body is a 2001 mystery thriller drama film written and directed by Jonas McCord. Based on the 1983 novel of the same name by Richard Sapir, it stars Antonio Banderas, Olivia Williams, Jason Flemyng, Lillian Lux, John Wood, and Derek Jacobi. It is a joint American-Israeli-German co-production, shot on-location in Jerusalem, Tel Aviv and Italy.

Official Site

Alternate titles.

The Body (2001)

Movie Details

Stream & watch the body.

Cast & Crew

Featured news.

Similar Movies

Movie Reviews

Follow Moviefone

Latest trailers.

Letterboxd — Your life in film

Forgotten username or password ?

• Start a new list…
• Add all films to a list…
• Add all films to watchlist

Add to your films…

Press Tab to complete, Enter to create

A moderator has locked this field.

Add to lists

Where to watch

Directed by Jonas McCord

It would change history and destroy the belief of millions,,,

An ancient skeleton has been discovered in Jerusalem in a rich man's tomb. Colouration of the wrist and leg bones indicates the cause of death was crucifiction. other signs, include a gold coin bearing the marks of Pontius Pilate and faint markings around the skull, lead authorities to suspect that these could be the bones of Jesus Christ. Politicians, clerics, religious extremists and those using terror as a means to an end, find their beliefs and identities tested while risking their lives to unearth the truth.....

Antonio Banderas Olivia Williams Jason Flemyng John Shrapnel Derek Jacobi Lillian Lux John Wood Makram J. Khoury Vernon Dobtcheff Ian McNeice Yoav Dekelbaum Jordan Licht Limor Goldstein Mohammad Bakri Sami Samir

Director Director

Jonas McCord

Producer Producer

Writer writer, original writer original writer.

Richard Sapir

Editors Editors

Alain Jakubowicz Lesley Walker

Cinematography Cinematography

Vilmos Zsigmond

Executive Producers Exec. Producers

Mark Damon Moshe Diamant Diane Isaacs

Composer Composer

Serge Colbert

Helkon Media Avalanche Films Compass Productions Diamant Cohen Productions

USA Israel Germany

Primary Language

Spoken languages.

Arabic Hebrew (modern) English

Releases by Date

13 apr 2001, 04 may 2001, 15 jun 2001, 13 dec 2001, 20 dec 2001, 12 feb 2007, 08 feb 2002, releases by country.

• Theatrical M
• Theatrical U
• Theatrical 12
• Theatrical 13
• Theatrical M/16
• Theatrical PG-13

109 mins   More at IMDb TMDb Report this page

Similar Films

Select your preferred backdrop

Select your preferred poster.

Log in or sign up for Rotten Tomatoes

Trouble logging in?

By continuing, you agree to the Privacy Policy and the Terms and Policies , and to receive email from the Fandango Media Brands .

By creating an account, you agree to the Privacy Policy and the Terms and Policies , and to receive email from Rotten Tomatoes and to receive email from the Fandango Media Brands .

By creating an account, you agree to the Privacy Policy and the Terms and Policies , and to receive email from Rotten Tomatoes.

Email not verified

Let's keep in touch.

Sign up for the Rotten Tomatoes newsletter to get weekly updates on:

• Upcoming Movies and TV shows
• Rotten Tomatoes Podcast
• Media News + More

By clicking "Sign Me Up," you are agreeing to receive occasional emails and communications from Fandango Media (Fandango, Vudu, and Rotten Tomatoes) and consenting to Fandango's Privacy Policy and Terms and Policies . Please allow 10 business days for your account to reflect your preferences.

OK, got it!

• About Rotten Tomatoes®
• Login/signup

Movies in theaters

• Opening this week
• Top box office
• Coming soon to theaters
• Certified fresh movies

Movies at home

• Fandango at Home
• Prime Video
• Most Popular Streaming Movies
• Certified Fresh Movies
• What to Watch New

Certified fresh picks

• 77% Blink Twice Link to Blink Twice
• 96% Strange Darling Link to Strange Darling
• 86% Between the Temples Link to Between the Temples

New TV Tonight

• -- The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power: Season 2
• -- Only Murders in the Building: Season 4
• -- Kaos: Season 1
• -- City of God: The Fight Rages On: Season 1
• -- Here Come the Irish: Season 1
• -- Terminator Zero: Season 1
• -- Horror's Greatest: Season 1
• -- After Baywatch: Moment in the Sun: Season 1

Most Popular TV on RT

• 92% Bad Monkey: Season 1
• 100% Dark Winds: Season 2
• 100% Pachinko: Season 2
• 78% Star Wars: The Acolyte: Season 1
• 86% Average Joe: Season 1
• 33% The Accident: Season 1
• 77% Lady in the Lake: Season 1
• 96% Industry: Season 3
• Best TV Shows
• Most Popular TV
• TV & Streaming News

Certified fresh pick

• 100% Pachinko: Season 2 Link to Pachinko: Season 2
• All-Time Lists
• Binge Guide
• Comics on TV
• Five Favorite Films
• Video Interviews
• Weekend Box Office
• Weekly Ketchup
• What to Watch

Box Office 2024: Top 10 Movies of the Year

The Crow Movies, Ranked by Tomatometer

What to Watch: In Theaters and On Streaming

Awards Tour

Poll: Vote for Your Most Anticipated TV or Streaming Show of September

Poll: Vote for Your Most Anticipated Movie of September

• Trending on RT
• Re-Release Calendar
• Popular TV Shows
• Renewed and Cancelled TV
• Verified Hot Movies

Where to Watch

Rent The Body on Prime Video, or buy it on Prime Video.

Critics Reviews

Audience reviews, cast & crew.

Oriol Paulo

José Coronado

Belén Rueda

Mayka Villaverde

Aura Garrido

Juan Pablo Shuk

"The Importance of Faith"

What You Need To Know:

(CC, AB, PC, FR, L, VV, D, M) Christian worldview marred by anti-Roman Catholic content & a non-biblical, liberal view of the role of religion in politics & protagonist expresses brief, but vague support for Marxist liberation theology of misguided Latin American priests, plus some side characters express false religious notions; 5 obscenities including one “f” word by a humanist-thinking character & two “s” words by a Catholic priest & 0 profanities, but priest fervently says to a soldier, “In the Name of God, don’t shoot”; action violence including terrorists bomb village square as a diversion to steal an object which results in things flying around, gunfire between villains & police, small chase scene, villains kidnap children to use as extortion, a couple other explosions during gunfire, man beaten up & stoned, & man questions his faith & commits suicide; no sex, but woman lightly kisses Catholic priest’s hand & lips after injurious incident which makes him question his faith; no nudity; brief alcohol use; smoking; and, stealing, illegal stoning & manipulation.

More Detail:

THE BODY is a compelling drama about the possible discovery of Jesus Christ’s bones in a hidden tomb in Jerusalem. It’s also an exciting thriller that takes several edge-of-your-seat twists and turns until it arrives at a pro-Christian ending that affirms faith in the Christ’s Resurrection and Deity. Regrettably, the ending also unfairly attacks the Roman Catholic church and its hierarchy and has a non-biblical view of Christianity’s role in politics. Also, probably because the subject matter and the movie’s final affirmation of Christian faith are controversial, the movie is only playing in a limited American release so far.

Antonio Banderas stars in THE BODY as Roman Catholic priest Father Matt Gutierrez. A top Vatican cardinal assigns Father Matt to investigate the reported finding of a crucified body in a walled off section of a rich man’s tomb in Jerusalem. Israeli officials force the female archeologist who discovered the body to work with Father Matt as he investigates her findings before she can publish her paper on them. Hampering their investigation are some Jewish and Arab radicals who desperately want to find out what’s going on for political and religious reasons. Violence eventually erupts.

THE BODY goes through several twists and turns as Father Matt and the archeologist probe the artifacts in the tomb and the body. Evidence mounts that the body may indeed be that of Jesus Christ, until a final twist proves otherwise. The movie closes by quoting John 20: 29, “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” Also, as a couple people note during the rest of the movie, the Resurrection is an important proof of the Deity of Jesus Christ. Thus, Father Matt retains his faith in the Resurrection and the Deity of Jesus Christ, a faith which, as the movie clearly points out, is essential to Christianity. As Paul firmly says in 1 Cor. 15:14, “If Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith.”

Regrettably, however, there are some anti-Christian elements at the end of the movie.

First, one Catholic priest commits suicide when the evidence seems to suggest at one point that the body is in fact that of Jesus Christ. Secondly, Father Matt goes back to Rome and accuses the cardinal who sent him of manipulating the situation while risking people’s lives. He then resigns the priesthood, saying that he will now serve God in “my own way,” whatever that means. Finally, Father Matt’s experience in Jerusalem confirms his belief that God has no place whatsoever in politics. This belief is an unbiblical one that contradicts such Bible passages as Proverbs 28:2-4 and 29:4, which urge governmental rulers to maintain order justly, to follow God’s moral principles and to avoid oppressing the poor. Furthermore, Romans 13:36 says that government officials and other “authorities,” whether elected or not, are ministers and servants of God who punish and restrain wrongdoers and who commend or praise those who do good works according to the moral principles of God.

Despite these problems, THE BODY ultimately takes a positive approach to Christian faith in general. Not only does it affirm that faith with an important Bible verse at the end, it also shows how important the Resurrection of Jesus Christ’s body and the Deity of Jesus Christ is to Christians. As Thomas exclaims to the resurrected Christ just before the John 20:29 passage quoted by the movie, “My Lord and my God!”

THE BODY could have been much stronger, of course, in both its Christian worldview and its execution. It is a little contrived in spots. Some events in fact don’t quite make sense when you think about them after the movie is over. Even so, Antonio Banderas does an excellent job as Father Matt. Although Roman Catholic viewers will be upset, perhaps extremely so, that he decides to leave the priesthood at the end, his portrayal is a strongly positive one in general. Also, he is ably supported by Olivia Williams as the chain-smoking female archeologist and by Derek Jacobi as a priest with an expertise in archeology.

Reviewed by: Ray Schlein CONTRIBUTOR

JESUS—Learn more about his life, death, and resurrection Go

Was Jesus Christ only a legend? Answer

Is Jesus Christ a man, or is he God? Answer

If Jesus is God, how could he die? If Jesus died on the cross, then how can he be alive today? Answer

Was Jesus Christ God, manifest in human form? Answer

Is Jesus Christ really God? Answer

If Jesus was the Son of God, why did He call Himself the Son of Man? Answer

Trinity—How can one God be three persons? Answer

Character—Is Christ’s character consistent with his high claims? Answer

Has science disproved the miracles associated with Jesus Christ? Answer

Could Christ have sinned? Answer

Archaeology—Have any burial sites been found for the people involved in Christ’s life and death? Answer

Mary Magdelene

Mary, mother of Jesus

How do we know the Bible is true? Answer

How can the Bible be infallible if it was written by fallible humans? Answer

“The Jesus Seminar”—Are their criticisms of the gospels valid? Answer

“The Jesus Seminar”—Who do they really speak for? Answer

“T he Body” is a thriller set in modern day Jerusalem. During a construction project, a body is discovered that some believe may be the un-risen remains of Jesus. A priest ( Antonio Banderas ) is sent by the Vatican to investigate the identity of the body. Banderas must work with a fiery Israeli archaelogist (Olivia Wiliams) who has her own agenda to protect. All the while, the age old political conflicts of Jerusalem explode around them.

Initially, I had misgivings about this movie as I thought it was just another attack on our Lord. But I decided to watch it so that I could be prepared to refute this movie to friends who may wonder about Christ’s resurrection.

The movie creates initial tension by presenting archaeological evidence that seems to make a strong argument that maybe this is the body of Jesus. However, the movie does a good job of examining both sides of the faith issue surrounding the Resurrection. Banderas’ character is not a typical Hollywood cliche priest full of flaws, contradictions, and hypocrisy. Christianity is not set up as a straw man—a silly superstition—to be knocked down by the logic of science. I especially enjoyed the numerous biblical passages quoted as the historical setting of the crucifixion is examined and the technical information regarding archaeology. The tension continues till the end of the movie where, as Christians, our hopes are not destroyed.

The movie avoids any sexual situations though there is some romantic tension between Banderas and Williams. However, there is some profanity and a fair amount of violence as various factions use terrorism to advance political agendas. I wouldn’t let children under 16 watch this movie. Some Roman Catholic viewers may be offended as the Vatican hierarchy comes out looking no better than the secular politicians.

Overall, I found this a thrilling movie that made me think about why I believe in our Lord. I think the producers tried to make a thought provoking movie that wouldn’t play as secular propaganda. However, this is not a Sunday school educational film.

Editor’s Note: If you don’t pay very close attention, you can miss some very important details that can totally change the meaning of this film. Without giving away any specific information, keep a keen eye on everything going on. Especially toward the film’s conclusion. Your opinion of the film may rest solely on one or two scenes. Overall: excellent topics to consider for any follower of Christ.

🙌 Awesome, you're subscribed!

Thanks for subscribing! Look out for your first newsletter in your inbox soon!

Get us in your inbox

Sign up to our newsletter for the latest and greatest from your city and beyond

By entering your email address you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and consent to receive emails from Time Out about news, events, offers and partner promotions.

Awesome, you're subscribed!

The best things in life are free.

Sign up for our email to enjoy your city without spending a thing (as well as some options when you’re feeling flush).

Déjà vu! We already have this email. Try another?

Love the mag?

Our newsletter hand-delivers the best bits to your inbox. Sign up to unlock our digital magazines and also receive the latest news, events, offers and partner promotions.

• Things to Do
• Food & Drink
• Arts & Culture
• Time Out Market
• Coca-Cola Foodmarks
• Los Angeles

Time Out says

Release details.

• Duration: 109 mins

Cast and crew

• Director: Jonas McCord
• Screenwriter: Jonas McCord
• Antonio Banderas
• Olivia Williams
• John Shrapnel
• Jason Flemyng
• Makhram J Khoury
• Ian McNeice
• Vernon Dobtcheff
• Derek Jacobi

Been there, done that? Think again, my friend.

Discover Time Out original video

• Press office
• Investor relations
• Work for Time Out
• Editorial guidelines
• Privacy notice
• Do not sell my information
• Cookie policy
• Accessibility statement
• Terms of use
• Modern slavery statement
• Manage cookies
• Advertising

Time Out Worldwide

• All Time Out Locations
• North America
• South America
• South Pacific

• Movie - The Body - 2001

The Body  (2001)  الجسم

• 109 minutes
• Release Date: 5 January 2001 (Spain) (more)
• Genre: Romance (more)

When skeletal remains are discovered in Jerusalem, the peculiar condition of the remains makes many believe that they belong to Jesus. As the news spread about the discovery, chaos ensues as ...Read more politicians, clergymen, religious extremists, and archaeologists take interest in the findings.

• Jonas McCord (Director)
• Jonas McCord (Writer)
• Antonio Banderas
• Olivia Williams
• John Shrapnel
• Derek Jacobi
• Mohammad Bakri
• Jason Flemyng

•   (Father Matt Gutierrez)

• Lillian Lux

• Makram Khoury
• Vernon Dobtcheff

• Ian McNeice
• Yoav Dekelbaum

When skeletal remains are discovered in Jerusalem, the peculiar condition of the remains makes many believe that they belong to Jesus. As the news spread about the discovery, chaos ...Read more ensues as politicians, clergymen, religious extremists, and archaeologists take interest in the findings.

• Release Date:
• Spain [ 5 January 2001 ]
• Is this a coloured title?:

• Buy tickets
• 2023 Summary
• Riyadh Season 2023
• Now Playing
• Coming Soon
• Egypt Box Office
• Infographic
• Video Gallery
• Ramadan, Eid & Seasons
• Ramadan 2024
• TV series 2024
• Fitr Eid Movies 2024
• Riyadh Season 2024
• Adha Eid Movies 2024
• Egypt Cinemas
• UAE Cinemas
• Kuwait Cinemas
• Lebanon Cinemas
• Bahrain Cinemas
• Qatar Cinemas
• Saudi Cinemas
• Oman Cinemas
• Jordan Cinemas
• Iraq Cinemas
• About elCinema.com
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Privacy Policy

Reset Your Password

Currently available on 2 streaming services.

The Body (2001)

7 Days Free

Then $32.99 / month

109min - English

Free with ads

retail price

Watch similar movies on Apple TV+ for free

Then $9.99 / month

Didn't find what you were looking for?

Let us notify you once it becomes available on more services.

We checked for updates on 248 streaming services on August 25, 2024 at 6:45:02 AM. Something wrong? Let us know!

The Body streaming: where to watch online?

Currently you are able to watch "The Body" streaming on fuboTV or for free with ads on Tubi TV.

An ancient skeleton has been discovered in Jerusalem in a rich man's tomb. Colouration of the wrist and leg bones indicates the cause of death was crucifiction. other signs, include a gold coin bearing the marks of Pontius Pilate and faint markings around the skull, lead authorities to suspect that these could be the bones of Jesus Christ. Politicians, clerics, religious extremists and those using terror as a means to an end, find their beliefs and identities tested while risking their lives to unearth the truth.....

Videos: Trailers, Teasers, Featurettes

Popular movies coming soon

Upcoming Mystery & Thriller movies

Similar Movies you can watch for free

Other popular Movies starring Antonio Banderas

• Cast & crew
• User reviews

• A crucified body dated back to the first century A.D is uncovered at an ancient cave in Jerusalem. Trouble ensues as word spreads.
• An ancient skeleton has been discovered in Jerusalem in a rich man's tomb. Coloration of the wrist and leg bones indicates the cause of death was crucifiction. Other signs, include a gold coin bearing the marks of Pontius Pilate and faint markings around the skull, lead authorities to suspect that these could be the bones of Jesus. Politicians, clerics, religious extremists, and those using terror as a means to an end, find their beliefs and identities tested while risking their lives to unearth the truth.
• An archeologist (Olivia Williams) uncovers a crucified body, dated back to first century A.D in an ancient cave in Jerusalem. A New Testament researcher (Antonio Banderas) arrives at the scene to examine her findings. As word of the discovery spreads, trouble follows. — Tal Rotbart <[email protected]>

It looks like we don't have any synopsis for this title yet. Be the first to contribute.

Contribute to this page

• See more gaps
• Learn more about contributing

More from this title

More to explore, recently viewed.

This Gross Shudder Original Is the Perfect Blend of Cosmic and Body Horror

Your changes have been saved

Email is sent

Email has already been sent

Please verify your email address.

You’ve reached your account maximum for followed topics.

The Big Picture

• The Beach House creates a dread-inducing atmosphere with Lovecraftian horror and a terrifying apathetic oceanic microbe.
• Body horror in the film is uniquely slimy and gross, contrasting against the beautiful, glowing nature of the infectious microbe.
• Despite her impressive survival skills, Emily in The Beach House ultimately falls victim to the hopeless and effective antagonist, the microbe.

Beach vacations sound like nothing but fun in the sun unless one has seen Jeffery A. Brown ’s directorial debut, The Beach House . What starts as an uncomfortable, accidental couple’s weekend in a nearly abandoned seaside town ends in a cosmic horror nightmare that would impress H.P. Lovecraft himself. Liana Liberato stars as Emily, a college senior giving her relationship with Randall ( Noah Le Gros ) one last chance. Their romantic getaway crashes the older couple, Mitch ( Jake Weber ) and Jane’s ( Maryann Nagel ), own stay at the same house. As the couples shakily occupy the space, an oceanic microorganism rapidly works through every living organism it comes in contact with.

The film takes the automatically tense tone of Emily and Randall’s rocky reconciliation and the awkward mashing of the two couples to set an ominous atmosphere that preps the viewer for the Lovecraftian horror to come. Liberato's Emily is a compelling final girl, using her relevant knowledge base to navigate the outbreak best. The microbe itself proves to be terrifying in a unique way. The slimy body horror of the infected is viscerally unnerving, but The Beach House is at its most dread-inducing when reminding the viewer that the microbe is not malicious. The ambivalence of the microbe, combined with its effects, make The Beach House a haunting debut.

The Beach House

The infectious microbe in ‘the beach house’ is pure lovecraftian horror.

Cosmic horror can be broadly divided into three categories; ancient, alien, and apathetic. The oceanic microbe of The Beach House is apathetic. It cares not for the suffering it causes, but it is also not purposefully wreaking havoc. Astutely compared to algae bloom, the microbe is simply acting as a microbe. Many great horror villains have exciting backstories or lore attached to them, providing an intriguing why . Leaning into Lovecraft’s more scientific themes, The Beach House drops breadcrumbs to reveal the microbe has evolved and spread out of the sea and onto land. There is no mad scientist behind the infection, just basic evolution.

Whereas a creature feature or slasher gives the characters something to push back against and kill by the end of the movie, The Beach House ’s microbe descends over the town on a massive scale while maintaining intangibility. Once the film reveals the beach town is not abandoned, but rather, all the residents have been infected and turned into zombies , helpless desperation settles over the remaining runtime. It doesn’t matter how many zombies Emily kills or locks in closets, the microbe is in the air she’s breathing . The person she speaks to over the radio tells her no one is coming. Emily is infected, and there is nothing that can be done for her. It’s a hopeless situation, like quite literally fighting the air.

The Gore in ‘The Beach House’ Is Extra Gross

Body horror and gore usually equals lots of blood and guts. In The Beach House , the gore is slimy and oozing . Zombies are coated in a thick white mucus, spitting up watery bile of a similar shade. Long, pale worms crawl out of mouths and are pulled out of open wounds. Infected sea creatures wash up on shore looking half exploded and thoroughly rotted. These aesthetics are heavily rooted in The Beach House ’s oceanic setting. These skin-crawling images are set against the pastel sandy beaches and an ocean so bright it melds with the skyline. The environment feels soft and delicate, making the visceral nastiness of the gore especially incongruous.

The 10 Best Cosmic Body Horror Movies, Ranked

"Susie, do you know anything about... witches?"

The body horror of The Beach House is undeniably unpleasant, but the microbe itself is beautiful. On the first night at the beach house, the microorganism rolls onto the land to settle in the trees through an ocean breeze. It is an electric, glowing blue. As Jane wanders outside to look at the strange scene, she appears as though in outer space, suspended among the stars. It’s the most visually engaging shot of the entire film. As Emily suffers from the effects of breathing in the polluted air, her figure is outlined in red and blue. A similar visual is used earlier in The Beach House while Emily is high on an edible. This reuse of the anaglyph silently suggests unreality . The glowing nature of the microbe and the out-of-body anaglyph imagery make the microbe the most Lovecraftian aspect of the film . Features of the microbe are recognizable, but its effect and impact are incomprehensible.

Liana Liberato Should Have Been the Final Girl in ‘The Beach House’

While The Beach House is extremely effective in creating a sense of hopelessness, it does come at a very big cost. Nothing is more frustrating in a horror movie than when the protagonist makes dumb decisions, especially if the audience is meant to root for them. Emily is not just academically minded — majoring in chemistry and planning to study astrobiology for her graduate degree — but street smart, as well. A lengthy soliloquy prior to the start of the drama reveals how uniquely equipped Emily is to handle an infectious microbe. Once the action starts to ramp up, Emily proves to be the most capable character in The Beach House , maneuvering not just herself but her injured boyfriend to safety. Watching Emily pour white vinegar over her wounded foot and surgically wrench out a lengthy white worm is stomach-turning . It’s hard to linger in the gross-out, however, when Emily is quick to get back on her proverbial feet and save her boyfriend. All the viewer can truly feel is impressed.

After watching Emily manage to run around with an injured foot, while practically carrying Randall and breathing in the toxic air, it is infuriating that she doesn’t earn her final girl status. Liana Liberato is not a physically imposing actress. Despite this, she endures insane physical obstacles, not only for herself but for her boyfriend as well. Liberato imbues Emily with a strength of character that makes the audience want to cheer for her . Watching her get functionally swallowed by the ocean in the final scene is devastating. Regardless of how brilliant and capable Emily proved herself to be, by the end of The Beach House , the microorganism has likewise demonstrated how it is the perfect antagonist.

The Beach House plays with themes and visuals associated with Lovecraftian horror. The sliminess of the gore and zombie costumes evokes the naturalistic origins of the microbe. As the infection spreads and devours not just the film’s main cast of characters, but the entire seaside town, the apathetic nature of the microbe proves to be infinitely more terrifying than the frankly impressive body horror. While Emily’s failure to escape by the end of the movie is devastating, it only goes to show just how scarily effective the microbe is. The uneasy tone The Beach House ends on ensures this debut will stick with the audience for a while.

The Beach House is available to stream on Shudder.

Watch on Shudder

• Movie Features