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| Matt Damon as LOKI, BEN AFFLECK as BARTLEBY in DOGMA |
Twenty-five years after its genesis, DOGMA scores a screening as part of the Cannes Classics program for 2025 in honor of its re-release with 4K restoration – not bad for a controversial, low-budget comedy by Kevin Smith. Following the May 22nd screening, DOGMA will land in over 1500 theaters on June 5, 2025. At moments like these, film critics who missed the proverbial boat have an opportunity to view such a cult classic with fresher eyes than most. But this critic might have let the moment slip by if not for the fact that I learned a surprising fact about one of its credentials. Despite its contentious beginnings, the folks at the Arts & Faith collective included DOGMA in its inaugural top 100 spiritually significant films list in 2004.
What could inspire a group of film nerds interested in the intersection of cinematic arts and faith to add such a movie to their catalog, even if it was a one-time list (7 iterations have now taken place)? Well, it turns out that although DOGMA is stuffed with crass language, fuzzy theology, and sexual humor, it also happens to offer a surprisingly reflective story that shows characters wrestling with questions about faith that have plagued almost everyone, believer and doubter alike.
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| Alan Rickman as METATRON in DOGMA |
DOGMA combines tropes like chosen one and hidden heritage and then situates these beats into a road trip movie. Bethany Sloane (Linda Fiorentino) moseys across the country toward New Jersey, accompanied by a merry band of prophets, bonus apostles, and muses, to stop two fallen angels from exacting a plan that will upset the order of God's infallibility. (Nevermind that an omniscient, omnipotent God will already have a backup plan for occasions like this) This all plays out like a caper, with pit stops and obstacles along the way. At the same time, said angels Bartleby (Ben Affleck) and Loki (Matt Damon) go on their own parallel journey to achieve forgiveness of sins so they can return to their rightful place as foot soldiers of God. The plot ping pongs across these two narratives, leading towards an inevitable confrontation at a church house door.
There's a saying that true talent lies in making something difficult seem effortless. The genius of Kevin Smith's screenplay is that it feels seamless, with not a moment wasted. Each scene and line of dialogue contributes to the story and pays off by the end. Audiences may not all enjoy the humor of the story, but the brisk pace – intercut with needed moments of rest – ensure that boredom won't be a sin held against this film. Irreverence abounds, but there's also truth to be found.
Two scenes in particular highlight the spiritual value of DOGMA. One is the journey of the heart Bethany takes during the course of her physical road trip. When we first meet her, Bethany's heart has grown cold towards God. Truth be told, she's grown rather cynical of God's goodness and sovereignty. She's still going through the motions of church and prayer but doesn't seem confident that anyone is listening. She agrees to the angel Metatron's (Alan Rickman) mission reluctantly because he promises her a chance for purpose. But the demands of the trip begin to require more of her faith and tenacity, and she tries to run from her calling and the truth she learns about her heritage. She ends up alone, sopping wet in a creek, and crying out to God for some kind of sign. In his goodness the invisible God sends his messenger Metatron again to offer words of peace and comfort: "It was something you had to come to gradually."
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| Chris Rock as RUFUS, Kevin Smith as SILENT BOB, Jason Mewes as JAY, Linda Fiorentino as BETHANY in DOGMA |
Metatron tells her a story about a similar conversation he had with a young Jesus coming to terms with being God's only son. In the midst of all the crazy shenanigans, Metatron's speech flows like calming streams of water, speaking truth to Bethany and us. Bethany's story mirrors conversations that many of us have had with God. It's a moment that feels spiritually true.
The other moment happens after Bartleby and Loki get kicked off a moving train by Silent Bob (Kevin Smith). They enter a parking garage, and Bartleby has his own lightbulb moment. He complains to Loki about how unfair God's patience towards humans is. As angels they were made to worship God. "Ours was designed to be a life of servitude and worship and bowing and scraping and adoration. He gave them more than he ever gave us. He gave them a choice." Bartleby rattles off all the kindness of God and complains against his enduring faithfulness and patience for mankind. This rant, delivered by a fallen angel ready to exact revenge, is certainly as convicting as any sermon I've ever heard.
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| George Carlin as CARDINAL GLICK in DOGMA |
The beauty of film is that Kevin Smith, a man raised Catholic who no longer claims that faith, can weave these theological truths into his story with no hints of didacticism or preachiness. The lines make sense with the journey of the characters, and we are along for the ride on that journey with them.
DOGMA may never earn popularity points with the majority of faithful believers, but for those who can see past the raunchy overtones, there's an entertaining, relatable, and even thought-provoking story to be found.
Release info: Screening at Cannes May 22, then released in 1500 theaters on June 5, 2025.
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