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Corpus Christi (2019): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot

Corpus Christi (2019) movie poster

Corpus Christi is a 2019 drama directed by Jan Komasa, starring Bartosz Bielenia as Daniel, Eliza Rycembel and Leszek Lichota. It runs 1 hour 56 minutes and earned $9.9 million worldwide on a $1.3 million budget. Its Echo Score is 87/100.

worldwide gross
$9.9M
Echo Score
87
budget
$1.3M
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Corpus Christi (2019) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 56m (116 min)
Director
Jan Komasa
Genre
Drama
Original language
Polish
Budget
$1.3M
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Corpus Christi About?

The premise of Corpus Christi without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

A young delinquent, posing as a priest, unexpectedly takes charge of a small-town parish. His arrival offers the community a chance to heal and move forward after a devastating tragedy that occurred the previous year. This charismatic young man, seemingly a sinner turned preacher, finds himself at the center of a perplexing mystery.

Corpus Christi Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • sex scene
  • priest
  • grief
  • funeral
  • mayor
  • assumed identity
  • fake identity
  • juvenile detention center
  • male rear nudity
  • catholic church
  • catholic mass
  • mourning
+38 more
  • juvenile delinquent
  • juvenile prison
  • prison
  • punched in the face
  • fire
  • confession
  • testicles
  • woodworking
  • rape
  • fake priest
  • religious confession
  • applause in church
  • cemetery
  • youth detention centre
  • ex convict
  • pretending to be a priest
  • catholicism
  • church service
  • small town
  • sawmill
  • small town mayor
  • confessional
  • letter
  • blackmail
  • prison fight
  • woodwork
  • singing
  • breaking a plate over someone's head
  • nightclub
  • bus
  • cigarette smoking
  • lie
  • mass
  • praying
  • candle
  • death
  • party
  • violence
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Cast & crew

Corpus Christi Cast & Characters

Bartosz Bielenia leads the cast as Daniel, with Eliza Rycembel as Marta and Leszek Lichota as Mayor Walkiewicz. Directed by Jan Komasa; 48 actors are credited in all.

Ratings

Corpus Christi Reviews & Ratings

Our Echo Score gives it 87/100, strongest in character & emotion (90) and weakest in rewatch factor (75).

87 /100

Corpus Christi Echo Score Breakdown

Corpus Christi delivers a resonant meditation on faith and redemption, anchored by a powerful central performance and striking visual composition. Critics and viewers alike commend the film's thoughtful narrative and atmospheric cinematography, while noting occasional pacing lulls that modestly affect engagement. The cumulative effect is a richly layered work that leaves a lasting impression and rewards multiple viewings, positioning it as a standout entry in contemporary Polish cinema.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 85

    In terms of direction and visual craftsmanship, the film exhibits meticulous framing and evocative lighting that enhance its thematic depth. Critics highlight Komasa's command of tone, and users praise the cinematography as a memorable element. Minor criticisms target occasional pacing drag, but overall the artistic execution is regarded as polished and compelling.

  • Character & Emotion 90

    When it comes to character work, Bartosz Bielenia's portrayal is consistently described as nuanced, electrifying, and emotionally resonant. Both critics and audiences emphasize his ability to convey inner conflict and spiritual turmoil. Supporting performances receive less focus but are deemed effective, reinforcing the central figure's impact throughout the film.

  • Story & Flow 78

    The narrative presents a thought‑provoking exploration of faith, guilt, and community trauma, earning praise for its originality and moral complexity. Reviewers note a haunting climax and strong thematic cohesion, yet some point to uneven pacing that can diminish momentum. Overall, the story is viewed as engaging and memorable despite occasional structural roughness.

  • Sensory Experience 80

    Sensory experience is characterized by a restrained yet powerful score, precise sound design, and cohesive visual style that underscore the film's solemn atmosphere. Critics mention the effective use of lighting, while users reference the cinematography as a highlight. The sensory elements collectively reinforce the narrative without overwhelming it.

  • Rewatch Factor 75

    Rewatch value stems from the film's layered themes, strong central performance, and lingering questions about faith and redemption. Reviewers indicate that the story rewards careful attention and that its climax invites discussion. Some viewers caution that its heaviness may limit casual repeat viewings, but overall it is considered worth revisiting for deeper insight.

Plot

Corpus Christi Plot Summary

What happens in Corpus Christi from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 10 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 4-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

Daniel, a devout Catholic Bartosz Bielenia serving a sentence for second-degree murder, returns to civilian life with a stubborn roadblock: his criminal past keeps him from realizing his dream of becoming a priest. He is assigned to a sawmill worker’s life in a quiet village, and on a visit to the village church, he pretends to be a priest. The vicar of the church, unaware of the deception, leaves him in charge while he travels for medical treatment, trusting that a newcomer who seems earnest can handle the parish in his absence.

Full summary

The whole story of Corpus Christi, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

Corpus Christi Box Office & Budget

Corpus Christi grossed $9.9 million worldwide on a $1.3 million budget, 7.6 times what it cost. $127,240 came from the US and Canada and $9.8 million (99%) from the rest of the world.

2019 box office

Worldwide gross

$9.9M

7.6× its budget

US & Canada
$127.2K
International
$9.8M
Budget
$1.3M
US & Canada 1% Rest of the world 99%
Videos

Corpus Christi Trailers & Videos

3 videos: 2 trailers and 1 featurette.

International Trailer
  • Trailer Official Trailer
  • Featurette TIFF 2019 Crew Q&A
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Corpus Christi?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

Who plays the lead role of Daniel?

Details

Corpus Christi Also Known As

15 alternative titles, including “La communion” and “성체축일”.

Also known as
  • La communion
  • 성체축일
  • 문신을 한 신부님
  • Boze Cialo
  • Boże Ciało
  • Тело Христово
  • Тяло Христово
  • 基督圣体
  • Corpus Christi - A Redenção
  • 另類神父
  • Kristaus kūnas
  • קורפוס קריסטי
+3 more
  • Bí Tích Thánh Thể
  • Тіло Христове
  • 聖なる犯罪者

Seen Corpus Christi?

FAQ

Corpus Christi FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, post-credit scenes and language of Corpus Christi, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Corpus Christi?

Corpus Christi runs 1 hour 56 minutes (116 minutes).

When was Corpus Christi released?

Corpus Christi was released on September 2, 2019.

Who directed Corpus Christi?

Corpus Christi was directed by Jan Komasa.

More films by Jan Komasa

Who is in the cast of Corpus Christi?

Corpus Christi stars Bartosz Bielenia as Daniel, Eliza Rycembel as Marta and Leszek Lichota as Mayor Walkiewicz, among 48 credited actors.

How much did Corpus Christi make at the box office?

Corpus Christi grossed $9.9 million worldwide ($127,240 domestic, $9.8 million international) on a budget of $1.3 million.

Does Corpus Christi have a post-credit scene?

No. Corpus Christi has no extra scene during or after the credits.

What language is Corpus Christi in?

The original language of Corpus Christi is Polish.

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