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Biographical drama

Padre Pio (2023): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Ending

Padre Pio (2023) movie poster

Padre Pio is a 2023 biographical drama directed by Abel Ferrara, starring Shia LaBeouf as Padre Pio, Marco Leonardi and Brando Pacitto. It runs 1 hour 44 minutes and earned $12,100 worldwide. Critics gave it 34% on Rotten Tomatoes and 41 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 4.4/10.

IMDb rating
4.4/10
Rotten Tomatoes
34%
worldwide gross
$12.1K
Echo Score
30
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Padre Pio (2023) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 44m (104 min)
Director
Abel Ferrara
Genres
Biography , Drama
Original language
Italian
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Padre Pio About?

The premise of Padre Pio without spoilers. The whole story and the ending explained are in the plot summary further down.

Following the devastation of World War I, Italian soldiers return home to find their village struggling under the control of powerful landowners. As Italy holds its first free election, a young Padre Pio confronts personal struggles and spiritual challenges. Through faith and perseverance, he rises to become a beloved and influential figure in the Catholic Church, offering hope and healing to his community.

Padre Pio Themes & Keywords

· 27 tags
  • male nudity
  • period drama
  • catholic
  • female rear nudity
  • female nudity
  • rear nudity
  • female full frontal nudity
  • female topless nudity
  • nudity
  • male rear nudity
  • woman licks a painting
  • female attempts to seduce male
+15 more
  • tempted by a demon
  • tempted by the devil
  • nipple
  • stigmata
  • suffering
  • friar
  • world war one
  • socialism
  • internal sociopolitical stability
  • satan
  • reference to jesus christ
  • virgin mary
  • pubic hair
  • female pubic hair
  • female frontal nudity
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Cast & crew

Padre Pio Cast & Characters

Shia LaBeouf leads the cast as Padre Pio, with Marco Leonardi as Gerardo and Brando Pacitto as Renato. Directed by Abel Ferrara; 9 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Padre Pio

· 5 more
From the director

More from Abel Ferrara

More films directed by Abel Ferrara, best-rated first: Pasolini, Bad Lieutenant, King of New York and Ms. 45.

Full filmography
Ratings

Padre Pio Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Padre Pio 34% on Rotten Tomatoes and 41 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 4.4/10. Our Echo Score gives it 30/100, strongest in sensory experience (40) and weakest in story & flow (20).

30 /100

Padre Pio Echo Score Breakdown

In terms of overall execution, Padre Pio struggles to deliver a cohesive and engaging experience. Critics and viewers alike note fragmented storytelling, uneven tonal shifts, and visual choices that often feel dated or disjointed. While a few acknowledge moments of striking imagery, these are outweighed by pervasive narrative confusion and inconsistent performances. Consequently, the film offers limited appeal beyond niche interest, resulting in a low overall assessment.

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

  • Art & Craft 35

    The film’s visual composition alternates between atmospheric darkness and dated cinematography. Ferrara’s use of shadow is occasionally effective, creating tension, yet the overall production design appears inconsistent and the editing feels fragmented. Critics cite “arresting images” amidst “imperfect expression,” while users criticize outdated effects and a lack of visual cohesion. The net impression is a mixed but generally weak artistic execution.

  • Character & Emotion 30

    Acting in Padre Pio is uneven, with Shia LaBeouf’s intense but unmodulated performance drawing both intrigue and criticism. Some reviewers note a “period appropriate” portrayal, yet many point to flat dialogue and lack of emotional depth, especially given the language mismatch. Supporting actors are perceived as stilted, and overall character chemistry feels disconnected, leading to a predominantly weak assessment of the film’s character work.

  • Story & Flow 20

    Narrative structure is the film’s most problematic element. Critics and users repeatedly describe two disjointed plotlines that compete without clear connection, resulting in confusion and a fragmented pacing. The biographical thread concerning Padre Pio is often eclipsed by unrelated political subplots, leaving viewers uncertain of the story’s focus. Consequently, the storytelling receives a decidedly low evaluation.

  • Sensory Experience 40

    The sensory dimension presents occasional highlights, such as effective low‑light composition that evokes tension, but these are offset by inconsistent sound design and an outdated musical score. While some critics commend “visceral immediacy,” many users find the soundtrack jarring and the overall audiovisual tone uneven. The mixed feedback yields a moderate but overall lukewarm sensory rating.

  • Rewatch Factor 25

    Given its fragmented narrative and uneven performances, Padre Pio offers limited incentive for repeat viewings. Although a few viewers appreciate its thematic ambition, the prevailing sense of confusion and inconsistent tone diminishes lasting appeal. As a result, the film scores low on rewatch potential.

Plot

Padre Pio Plot Summary & Ending Explained

What happens in Padre Pio from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 12 key events and the ending explained. The opening is below; the full summary is a 1-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

It is the year 1920, and Italian villages still bear the scars of World War I. In San Giovanni Rotondo, Shia LaBeouf as Padre Pio arrives after years with his family in Pietrelcina. Despite frailty, he continues to confront visions of Satan, who presents himself as the architect of the war and the town’s deeper troubles. Through the Sacrament of Confession and Holy Mass, the priest bears witness to the suffering of the poor, including miracles such as a crippled man walking again thanks to his prayers. The war’s legacies—medical shortages, faltering health, and mustard gas—are joined by a new form of oppression: a corrupt class of wealthy landowners who dominate the countryside.

Full summary

The whole story of Padre Pio, scene by scene, with the ending explained

Read the full summary
Box office

Padre Pio Box Office

Padre Pio grossed $12,100 worldwide.

2023 box office

Worldwide gross

$12.1K

International
$12.1K
Videos

Padre Pio Trailers & Videos

2 videos: 2 trailers.

Official Trailer
  • Trailer UK Trailer
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Padre Pio?

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
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  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
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  10. Question 10: not answered

In what year is the film set?

Details

Padre Pio Also Known As

7 alternative titles, including “پدر پیو” and “Tėvas Pio”.

Also known as
  • پدر پیو
  • Tėvas Pio
  • 毕奥神父
  • 파드레 피오
  • 畢奧神父
  • Ojciec Pio
  • Молодой Папа

Seen Padre Pio?

FAQ

Padre Pio FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

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

How long is Padre Pio?

Padre Pio runs 1 hour 44 minutes (104 minutes).

When was Padre Pio released?

Padre Pio was released on June 2, 2023.

Who directed Padre Pio?

Padre Pio was directed by Abel Ferrara.

More films by Abel Ferrara

Who is in the cast of Padre Pio?

Padre Pio stars Shia LaBeouf as Padre Pio, Marco Leonardi as Gerardo and Brando Pacitto as Renato, among 9 credited actors.

How much did Padre Pio make at the box office?

Padre Pio grossed $12,100 worldwide.

How is Padre Pio rated?

Padre Pio has 4.4/10 on IMDb, 34% on Rotten Tomatoes, 41 on Metacritic and 50% on TMDB.

Does Padre Pio have a post-credit scene?

No. Padre Pio has no extra scene during or after the credits.

What language is Padre Pio in?

The original language of Padre Pio is Italian.

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