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Stigmata is a supernatural thriller released in 1999 starring Patricia Arquette as Frankie Paige, a hairdresser from Pittsburgh who obtains stigmata, the spontaneous emergence of wounds resembling those suffered by Jesus Christ during his crucifixion. Gabriel Byrne plays Father Andrew Kiernan, a Vatican investigator, and Jonathan Pryce plays Cardinal Houseman, his boss in the Vatican. The movie is directed by Rupert Wainwright and written by Tom Lazarus and Rick Ramage.

The movie opens with a scene in Brazil, where a young priest discovers an ancient relic that has been hidden for centuries. The scene then shifts to Pittsburgh, where Frankie begins to experience strange and disturbing phenomena, such as bleeding from her wrists, severe headaches, and visions of religious iconography. Her condition worsens, and she seeks medical attention, but doctors cannot find any physical explanation for her symptoms. Eventually, Frankie is diagnosed with stigmata by a local priest, who believes that she is possessed by a demon.

Father Kiernan is sent to Pittsburgh to investigate the case, and he finds himself at odds with the local bishop, who wants to suppress any evidence of Frankie's condition. Kiernan comes to believe that Frankie's stigmata is genuine and that it is somehow connected to the relic discovered in Brazil. However, as he delves deeper into the mystery, he becomes the target of a conspiracy within the Vatican, led by Cardinal Houseman, who will stop at nothing to silence him and hide the truth about the relic and its significance.

As the plot unfolds, the movie explores themes of faith, doubt, and institutional corruption, as well as the timeless conflict between science and religion. The characters are well-developed, with Arquette giving a powerful performance as the tortured protagonist and Byrne delivering a nuanced portrayal of a conflicted clergyman struggling with his own demons. Pryce is also memorable as the formidable cardinal, whose motives and loyalties are shrouded in mystery until the film's climax.

Visually, the movie is stunning, with lush cinematography and imaginative camera work that captures the frenzied intensity of the stigmata scenes. The musical score, composed by Billy Corgan of the Smashing Pumpkins, adds to the movie's eerie and mystical atmosphere.

Overall, Stigmata is a gripping and thought-provoking movie that blends elements of horror, religious drama, and conspiracy thriller. Its exploration of themes and complex characters make it a standout entry in the genre, and its enduring popularity with audiences makes it a must-see for anyone who enjoys supernatural movies with a cerebral edge.

Stigmata is a 1999 horror movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 49 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.2 and a MetaScore of 28.