Surviving Confession (2019) User Reviews

Good Watch

[vamsitiguti · 7/10 · 15 August 2019]

Surviving confession discusses a bold theme - role of confession without guilt.

All characters exhibit the same attitude towards life and the vacillations of protagonist's character trying to be true to his job and at the same time, fighting the belief systems in the modern world is portrayed well.

Amber brings freshness to the film. Her attitude towards the whole system of confessions and the way she deals with her own problem is heart touching.

The climax is the most effective part of the film. It was handled well.

All in All a good watch.

Shaking my head over these reviews.

[kkmmbbtx · 2/10 · 30 August 2020]

I have no problem with the subject matter. I am a "thinking" person. But the acting in this seemed generally so amateurish, it seemed some strange church production. Really... Overall the subject was good and important. Some people called it a dark comedy? It was just a bad job... So sorry.

Something to make you think

[pietro1605 · 7/10 · 26 January 2020]

The movie has a calm, but very enjoyable pace. Nemrow is brilliant and manages to pass to the viewer a wide range of emotions. He makes us think and entertain us at the same time. The dialogue between the two priests is a real highlight and something I will remember for a long time.

Very enjoyable

Impressive

[terrazygotes-30881 · 8/10 · 1 March 2020]

First of all, the writing of this screenplay is superior to almost any film, that I've seen. It explores the human condition, of those, who choose to represent a religion on the front lines, their needs, duties and self-evaluations. It focuses on the human behind the collar, behind the symbolism and mystique. It is very much like a play, taking place in one location, with the protagonist using soliloquies to confide in the audience. It is a film about ideas and emotions. The acting is also superior. It needs to be, to render such a simple set-up so powerful. It succeeds amazingly well, at this. The photography and staging are very well done, which I suppose is the main job of the director. It has a wonderful sense of humour, to balance its wrenching pathos. I grew up, indoctrinated in this particular religion, which of course gave the film a particular significance to me. This is a small drama, for deep thinking, and emotionally open adults.

Very entertaining

[francescabella · 7/10 · 20 January 2020]

This film is funny and authentic but also very emotional and touching at times. I thoroughly enjoyed it and really connected to Clayton Nemrow's character, he was very accessible, entertaining and a great actor.

I thought it was made well and loved the simplicity of the setting.

Definitely worth a watch!

Great film for those who enjoy thought

[zachmirer · 8/10 · 12 August 2019]

What this film lacks in new and changing physical environments it makes up for with its writing and perspective. A majority of the film takes place inside a church confessional. At first, I was concerned about whether or not I would enjoy the movie because of this lack of changing scenery. However, it's very character-driven. The dialogue offers different perspectives on some prejudice commonly directed at Catholicism. The film could be difficult to appreciate if you can not empathize or relate to any one of the characters or what they're going through.

Enjoyed immensely

[aaronmeszaros · 10/10 · 18 August 2019]

I really enjoyed watching this movie. My partner and I sat glued to it. The characters are so well drawn out and leaves you feeling like wanting more!!!

An interesting exploration of humanity, with heart and humour!

[minicollett · 8/10 · 17 September 2019]

This is a really great independent film, shot really beautifully and such a clever use of this location! I really enjoyed it. Genuinely funny, it is a tiny bit slow in places, you might wonder where the film is going... but there's an incredible payoff at the end, so stay for that! Absolutely fantastic performances from all of the cast, in particular Clayton Nemrow as Father Morris and Jessica Lynn Parsons as Amber. Matthew Tibbenham directs an interesting exploration of humanity, with heart and humour! Surviving Confession is definitely one to watch!!

A nice little indie

[wayofthewest-43063 · 8/10 · 13 August 2019]

I admit I caught this film because I know the director (full disclosure) but it's a genuinely nice piece of work, with funny dialogue and interesting ideas, especially considering it was produced on such a small budget. Bodes very well for future projects from Mr. Tibbenham. Kudos also to Clayton Nemrow, the beleaguered priest at the centre of the film. He's a charismatic actor, funny and compelling to watch, even when just in his little cloister--so important as he carries much of film.

Easy to get into, worthy of staying till the end.

[shahyaan-08396 · 8/10 · 16 January 2020]

Came across this little one through recommendations. Not my usual choice of films, bit thought why not? Leads you into the darker side of people's lives. That's the bit the at kept me watching. Can a man of the cloth deal with all of these sins, whilst battling his own?

A mix of humour and intensity. The characters really lead you in as if you are a part of their drama. Quality work and amazing style from this crew. Hope to see more in the future.

Surprise and delight

[mihaicioinea · 10/10 · 21 August 2019]

This is what this movie did for me. This little gem is all about faith, love, rise and fall, with a splash of comedy and a really great set of characters. Enjoyed it and totally recommend it.

Exploration of human psychology

[marcofranchino · 8/10 · 2 June 2020]

When a young woman visits a priest for a confession, the two start an unlikely conversation and the more it goes on, the more he feels conflicted with his faith and by the end he has his world turned upside down.

This is a surprising good movie. Dialogues constitute almost the entirety of the film and they are really well written, sustaining the dynamics among the characters. The dialogue between the priest and Amber, the young woman, is interspersed with different confessions, meaningful conversations with various characters that enrich the story. Small-scaled in term of movie-making, this is huge in term of exploration of human psychology and that makes some of the best cinema.

Challenged on love and life by Amber, the piest's faith falters. A confession without guilt seems ultimately to push him to reject his vows, seemingly having lost trust into this sacrament. Is confession still relevant in this modern world? Will the priest leave the Church? What is Amber motivation to look into confession? All these dynamics will find a satysfying conclusion rich in significance.

Highly recommended.

Great Movie!

[Wilson-kavu · 9/10 · 26 August 2019]

I have to admit that I was not expecting the movie to be as good. I genuinely enjoyed the film until the end and the whole theme.

A great start for an up-and-coming director!

[AlexKunzelmann · 8/10 · 14 August 2019]

The first thought I had when watching this independent film was how polished it looked. The small, confined sets really fit the aesthetic of the film and, thanks to excellent lighting and cinematography, really turned what could be seen as a low-budget project in to something that wouldn't seem out of place on the big screen.

Director Matthew Tibbenham was able to bring some brilliant performances out of the cast, the standout being Clayton Nemrow as the lead 'Father Morris.' You really felt the plight of an empathetic, human just trying to do his best with the struggles of day-to-day life in the church. Some of the stories were quite touching and really showed the human side of life's tragedies.

Another feature that really had an impact was the score. The music really fit the mood of each of the individual scenes and brought the film together as a package.

Really great job from all cast and crew involved, and I'm really looking forward to whatever Tibbenham has in the works.

The truth and mind games can be shocking

[awiemultilandckg · 8/10 · 22 March 2020]

I watch the movie without knowing the plot at all and I very recommend it. At the first scene, I thought that this movie is like another "slapstick comedy" about church's daily life out there. And I was hoping the first confessor build the light comedy nuance, and it did and I got the message. But the movie atmospheres changes for as the scene pass after scene, it builds my couriousity more and more. And you will not realise the changing atmospheres of this movie at all, because of your couriousity. It open my eyes about the truthfull of our public sociality, culture, and the innerself as a modern human as the believer. The acting is natural, exception for the young woman. I believe, she got driven out of the church from the first she behaving rude to the priest there.

Give it a chance

[rgaborno-17440 · 9/10 · 28 August 2019]

While this film was obviously made on a micro budget, it's writing and direction shine through. A compelling watch.

Powerful and thought-provoking

[haydn_worley · 9/10 · 1 August 2019]

Surviving Confession is a very mature film, yet very accessible. It covers strong themes sensitively and skillfully, while the power and impact is subtle yet impactful. A thoroughly entertaining and thought-provoking indie film.

Great movie

[robertadamson-11639 · 9/10 · 15 July 2020]

Sucked me in from the start and watching the character's struggles was engaging through out (especially if you grew up Catholic). Towards the end I was worried we weren't going to get a particular pay off but everything concluded really and left me satisfied.

Great performances and really enjoyed the score - really recommend this one!

Artistic and faithful.

[gryanhart · 10/10 · 27 August 2020]

The trailer is titillating, but misleading--the movie was far better than expected. This is a serious work of art and the editorial bias of the film seems to me to be consistent with Christian faith.

Engrossing

[jbhiller · 9/10 · 23 August 2020]

This movie shows that you can make a great film with little resources. All you need is a good story, good writing and great acting.

Charming, Funny and Eminently Watchable

[bombaymish · 8/10 · 1 August 2019]

This film has a lot of heart, and impressive what they manage with so few locations. The confession box has much opportunity for interesting characters, secrets, stories and misunderstandings.. They succeed in making a charming, funny watch.

A funny and moving character study about faith and conviction

[The-Last-Prydonian · 10/10 · 21 January 2024]

Father Morris is a priest who has become jaded with conflicted with the nature of his faith. Daily listening to his parishioners confess their sins in the confessional, he wonders if he is really making any difference in their lives, and struggles with the guilt and knowledge of knowing that the husband of one of his regular confessors is having an affair. When the 21-year-old Amber walks into his confessional, claiming to have murdered a homeless man, the cynical Morris sees through her lie and dismisses her. Refusing to leave much to his annoyance, he finds his life turned upside down by her, as she forces him to confront his dedication to priesthood.

Directed by Matthew Tibbernham whose only real major credit was as an Assistant Director on the 2012 horror flick Sinister, Surviving Confessional marked his debut full-length feature as director and remains one of only two movies that he has helmed. The other is the upcoming horror/sci-fi movie Parallel which is to be released next year. With a screenplay written by Nathan Shane Miller whose work up until then had been limited to several short films, Surviving Confessional marks a monumentally impressive debut in what is a low-budget, minimalist indy film. Painfully obscure, especially so that it doesn't even have a Wikipedia page dedicated to it. It's a movie screaming out for better acknowledgment. Anchored by a superb central performance by Clayton Nemrow, an actor I am unfamiliar with but has had a prolific career spanning over twenty years. He breaks the wall as Father Morris, addresses the audience, speaking of how he has grown jaded and is suffering a crisis of faith as he listens to his parishioners' confessions on a daily. Basis. We see a man forced to confront if there is any real purpose to his position, and if he is giving any real meaning or solace to those who come to him.

However, when a young woman named Amber enters his confessional he finds himself questioning his devotion to his faith more so, not least because he is conflicted by the feelings he has for one of his regular attendees, Mary who is troubled by the state of her marriage, and whom he knows her wife has been having an affair. Needless to say, the movie deals with Father Morris's struggle to remain true to his duties as a Priest, while attempting to reconcile them with his love for Mary.

Morris's doubts are exacerbated further by Amber, whose presence remains a mystery, and yet becomes something of an annoyance to him, and provides some welcome moments of sharp, pointed humor to the fore. Jessica Lynn Parsons provides a superb foil to Nemrow as the beleaguered and morally tortured priest. The movie is an absorbing character study of the nature of faith offers and challenges the very principles. It's thoroughly involving thanks to the dynamic between both Morris and Amber, and when you think you know where the movie is going writer Nathan Shane Miller pulls the rug right from under the audience. Wrapping up with a denouement that is as emotional as it is poignant. Surviving Confession is an obscure gem and deserving of more attention. Not least because of Nemrow's winning performance, which he injects with so much pathos and conviction.