The Believers

After his wife's death, police psychologist Cal Jamison moves to New York with his young son, Chris. There he becomes involved in a series of ritualistic killings, and the evidence points toward a secretive group practicing African-derived religion. Cal, a rationalist, is initially skeptical, but as the danger draws closer to his own family, he is forced to take the group's power seriously. The film is based on Nicholas Conde's novel "The Religion."

John Schlesinger directed, working from a screenplay by Mark Frost. The film sits between The Falcon and the Snowman and Madame Sousatzka in Schlesinger's filmography, his ninth feature among the thirteen titles listed. Martin Sheen plays Cal, with Helen Shaver, Harley Cross, Robert Loggia, Elizabeth Wilson and Harris Yulin among the credited cast. The production, backed by Orion Pictures, had a budget of 13 million dollars and returned 19 million worldwide.

Audience response has been moderate. On IMDb, the film holds a 6.1 rating from roughly 9,300 votes, while on TMDB it sits at 5.9 from around 192 votes, a small sample that suggests limited engagement there. Its British, Canadian and American co-production reflects the transatlantic character of Schlesinger's later career.