The X-Files: I Want to Believe

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The X-Files: I Want to Believe

PG-13,

2008,

1h 44m,

Sci-Fi/

Mystery & Thriller

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Watchlist

32%

165 Reviews

Tomatometer

32%

250,000+ Ratings

Popcornmeter

32%

Tomatometer

165 Reviews

32%

Popcornmeter

250,000+ Ratings

Though FBI special agent Fox Mulder (David Duchovny) and his partner Dr. Dana Scully (Gillian Anderson) once chased things that go bump in the night, his tireless search for the truth out there has led to his professional exile. However, a missing-persons case leads to the agents' reunion, along with an encounter with a priest (Billy Connolly) who may or may not be experiencing psychic visions.

Critics Consensus

The chemistry between leads David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson do live up to The X-Files' televised legacy, but the roving plot and droning routines make it hard to identify just what we're meant to believe in.

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Deborah Ross

The Spectator

Aug 23, 2018

The film's ambition may well be to "stand alone" but, alas, it doesn't even stand up.

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J. R. Jones

Chicago Reader

Dec 9, 2008

Only a fan would be inclined to tolerate this dunderheaded mystery.

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Derek Malcolm

London Evening Standard

Aug 1, 2008

3/5

The best thrillers dig deeper than this one does, as did the best of The X Files on TV before the series ran out of steam.

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Brian Eggert

Deep Focus Review

Jul 14, 2024

2/4

I want to believe there are still quality X-Files stories to tell, even if this one wasn’t. I want to believe this, but like the protagonists in the movie, my beliefs are conflicted with doubt and reservation.

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Eddie Harrison

film-authority.com

May 28, 2022

3/5

…the story may be missing some beats, but there’s still an interesting chemistry between the leads, and the conflict between science and religion is an edgy seam to mine…

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Niall Browne

Movies in Focus

Mar 17, 2021

3/5

One of the major criticisms levelled at The X-Files: I Want To Believe is that it is like an episode of the television series - and a mediocre episode at that. I have to say that this is true.

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Albus R

Nov 30, 2018

I suffered thru this one more time, hoping I was in a funk the first time I wallowed thru itmany years ago and it would magically get better. Discontinuity Parade,...lame JH level acting,...writing and story line produced in a blender set to chop. The only reason I finished it is because it was so bad it started coming back,..and because a sort of Good for it's badness. You would think as old as I am I'd value my time more!

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Leia G

Mar 9, 2018

a very under-appreciated film. I understand the disappointment - after a six-year absence, we wanted something extraordinary, and we got average. For me, however, average x-files is pretty damned good. for those who claimed it was not really even an x-file, I have two things to say: 1) you're right - both mulder and scully are no longer in the FBI and the x-files have been closed, so point taken; but 2) as to it not being worthy to be called an x-file, I would remind people of episodes like "beyond the sea", "Oubliette," and "aubrey". and this movie did what it needed - it paved the way for mulder to return to the fbi and reintroduced us to where these two characters were in their life.

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Hermione L

Jan 25, 2018

Not bad, the fist one was better

Abraham S

Dec 30, 2017

First of all this is a pretty terrible movie. Second it is barely an X-file not sure Mulder would have left the basement for this case back in the day let alone come out of hiding. An awful return for the once mighty show. Anderson is given a backseat but once again proves she has surpassed Duchovny and this show.

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George W

Feb 7, 2017

Beeem mediano. Parece um episódio estendido, e não um filme. Esqueci dele assim que subiram os créditos. Uma pena.

Rey M

Jan 28, 2016

This plot seems more suitable for a 40min FOX episode, rather than a Hollywood big screen movie.

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Chris Carter

Director

David Duchovny

Fox Mulder

Gillian Anderson

Dana Scully

Billy Connolly

Father Joseph Crissman

Amanda Peet

ASAC Dakota Whitney

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Agent Mosely Drummy

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Synopsis

Though FBI special agent Fox Mulder (David Duchovny) and his partner Dr. Dana Scully (Gillian Anderson) once chased things that go bump in the night, his tireless search for the truth out there has led to his professional exile. However, a missing-persons case leads to the agents' reunion, along with an encounter with a priest (Billy Connolly) who may or may not be experiencing psychic visions.

Director: Chris Carter
Producer: Chris Carter, Frank Spotnitz
Screenwriter: Chris Carter, Frank Spotnitz
Distributor: 20th Century Fox
Production Co: 20th Century Fox, Ten Thirteen Productions
Rating: PG-13 (Violent and Disturbing Content|Thematic Material)
Genre: Sci-Fi, Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jul 25, 2008, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Sep 18, 2012
Box Office (Gross USA): $21.0M
Runtime: 1h 44m
Sound Mix: SDDS, DTS, Dolby Digital
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

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