The Believers
is a horror/neo-noir film directed by John Schlesinger, released in 1987 and starring Martin Sheen, Robert Loggia and Helen Shaver. It is based on the 1982 novel The Religion
by Nicholas Conde. Sheen and co-star Jimmy Smits would both go on to play the President of the United States in the American television series The West Wing
.
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THE BELIEVERS TICKETS
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Plot
After the shocking, accidental death of his wife by electrocution, Cal Jamison (
Martin Sheen) moves to
New York City, where a rash of brutal, ritualistic child murders, supposedly committed by members of a Hispanic cult practicing a malevolent version of
Brujeria have been confounding the
NYPD. Things take a turn for the worse when the cult targets Jamison's son Chris (
Harley Cross).
Full Cast
- Martin Sheen ... Cal Jamison
- Helen Shaver ... Jessica Halliday
- Harley Cross ... Chris Jamison
- Robert Loggia ... Lieutenant Sean McTaggert
- Jimmy Smits ... Tom Lopez
- Malick Bowens ... Palo
- Elizabeth Wilson ... Kate Maslow
- Harris Yulin ... Robert Calder
- Lee Richardson ... Dennis Maslow
- Richard Masur ... Marty Wertheimer
- Carla Pinza ... Carmen Ruiz
- Janet-Laine Green ... Lisa Jamison
- Raúl Dávila ... Oscar Sezine
- Gary Farmer ... Mover
- Ramsey Fadiman ... Mover
- John Bendel ... Theater Detective
- Joe Pentangelo ... Theater cop
- Robert Clohessy ... Diner Detective
- Frank Patton ... Crime Scene Cop
- Dick Martinsen ... Diner Cop
- Robert Connelly ... Precinct Detective
- Tony De Santis ... Precinct Detective
- Frank Rivers ... Park Cop
- Ana Maria Quintana ... A.C.H.E. Secretary
- Ray Paisley ... Customs Agent
- Dick Callahan ... Bartender
- Christopher Brown ... Carpenter
- Juan Manuel Aguero ... News Vendor
- Maria Magdaleno ... Woman at Newstand
- Shirley Anthony ... Marty's Secretary
- Elizabeth Hanna ... Doctor at Hospital
- Micki Moore ... Believer
- Richard Spiegelman ... Believer
- Fernando Queija ... Believer
- Maria Lebb ... Believer
- Khali Keyi ... African Shaman
- Leroy Radcliffe ... Chief Tribal Dancer
- Wilhelmena Taylor ... Tribal Dancer
- Antwanette Abel ... Tribal Dancer
- Vaune Blalock ... Tribal Dancer
- Quentin Clark ... Tribal Dancer
- Denise Hawthorne ... Tribal Dancer
- Leona Heyward ... Tribal Dancer
- Harry Kimbrough ... Tribal Dancer
- Lindsey Floyd ... Tribal Dancer
- Jewel Love ... Tribal Dancer
- Diana Taylor ... Tribal Dancer
- Raymond Graham ... Lead Drummer
- James Cherry ... Drummer
- Willie White ... Drummer
- Phillip Williamson ... Drummer
- Jaap Broeker ... Believer (uncredited)
- Geoffrey Kellett ... Paramedic (uncredited)
- Frank Patton ... Crime Scene Cop (uncredited)
Controversy
The film was in large part an influence on the
Santeria-based cult established by serial killers
Adolfo Constanzo and
Sara Aldrete.
References