Stigmata



Stigmata is a 1999 film Patricia Arquette and Gabriel Byrne.

Frankie, a young woman in Pittsburgh, is stricken with what appears to be Stigmata. A priest who specializes in authentication of miracles comes to meet her and examine her wounds.

"Roger Ebert: "Stigmata" does not know, or care, about the theology involved, and thus becomes peculiarly heretical by confusing the effects of being possessed by Jesus and by Beelzebub."
 * Animal Motifs: Doves.
 * Artistic License Religion


 * It also features a desperate conspiracy by the Catholic Church to cover up the existence of the newly-rediscovered Gospel of Thomas, which would apparently destroy the entire institution of religion if discovered. However, it was actually discovered in 1945, and published (and translated) shortly after with no opposition whatsoever.
 * Candlelit Bath: Frankie steps into her candlelit bath to relax, only to be suddenly struck with a vision of the last tortured moments of the Messiah, complete with wounds opening in her wrists.
 * Christianity Is Catholic
 * Hollywood Atheist: Frankie is an avowed atheist (and her "sinful" life is well displayed for the audience). Which makes her manifestation of the stigmata baffling.
 * Hollywood Exorcism:.
 * Impaled Palm: Frankie's wounds are through her wrists, and she gleefully notes that they should be through her palms if she has stigmata. However, Father Kiernan notes that historic crucifixions were done through the wrist.
 * Pieta Plagiarism:.
 * Religious Horror
 * Tears of Blood: The statue Father Kiernan investigates began crying human blood at the death of the church's beloved priest.