6.4/10
Senior Film Conservator
A definitive 6.4/10 rating for a film that redefined the boundaries of cult cinema. Doubting Thomas remains a cornerstone of transgressive art.
If you like Will Rogers, you’ll probably find this charming enough to sit through on a rainy Sunday. If you hate movies where the main conflict could be solved by just talking like a normal adult for five minutes, you will absolutely loathe every second of Doubting Thomas.
There’s a weirdly specific energy to this movie. It feels like watching a neighbor argue about a lawn ornament. The premise is basically just marital spite taken to the absolute limit.
The whole thing kicks off because the wife gets bit by the acting bug. Will, playing the husband, just rolls his eyes so hard you can practically hear his sockets clicking. 🙄
It’s funny, in a way. He treats her local theater production like she’s trying to join a cult or something. It’s not a very deep movie, but the petty back-and-forth feels surprisingly grounded.
Then he decides to get into the show too, just to prove he can do it better or maybe just to annoy her. The rehearsal scenes are painfully relatable if you've ever known someone who thinks they’re a genius because they memorized a few lines of dialogue.
Some of the supporting cast is doing a lot of heavy lifting here. Honestly, the movie gets a lot better once it stops trying to be a serious commentary on marriage and just leans into the slapstick of people being bad at performing.
I couldn't help but think of the chaotic energy in A Night at the Opera, even if this is a much smaller, quieter affair. It’s not quite as manic, but it shares that same spirit of people just making things worse for themselves on purpose.
There’s a moment where Will tries to deliver a dramatic monologue that goes so wrong it’s actually kind of impressive. It lingers on his confused face for just a few seconds too long, which is a classic choice.
It’s definitely not high art. But it’s got a weird, dusty charm to it. 🎬
Anyway, it’s a decent watch if you don’t mind some old-school grumpiness. Just don't expect it to change your life or anything.
