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Horror film

The Cleansing Hour (2021): Cast, Ratings & Plot

The Cleansing Hour (2021) movie poster

The Cleansing Hour is a 2021 horror film directed by Damien LeVeck, starring Ryan Guzman as Max, Kyle Gallner and Alix Angelis. It runs 1 hour 34 minutes. Critics gave it 73% on Rotten Tomatoes, and IMDb users rate it 6.0/10.

IMDb rating
6.0/10
Rotten Tomatoes
73%
Echo Score
80
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The Cleansing Hour (2021) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 34m (94 min)
Director
Damien LeVeck
Genre
Horror
Original language
English
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is The Cleansing Hour About?

The premise of The Cleansing Hour without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

Two hosts broadcasting fake exorcisms online find their prank backfiring when one of them appears to be genuinely possessed. As the demonic entity takes control, the webcast crew becomes trapped and faces a series of terrifying events. They must unravel the truth behind the possession and confront their hidden flaws to survive the increasingly dangerous situation and reach a horrifying conclusion.

The Cleansing Hour Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • fake exorcism
  • woman possessed by a demon
  • exorcism
  • cheating
  • aamon the demon
  • live show
  • childhood friends relationship
  • guilty conscience
  • content creator
  • catholic priest
  • public confession
  • demonic possession
+38 more
  • forced confession
  • online show
  • exorcist
  • livestreaming
  • devil
  • online streaming
  • supernatural horror
  • demon
  • embarrassing male nudity
  • male in towel
  • fallen priest
  • long haired male
  • vomiting
  • demonology
  • tripping on an electrical cord
  • flashback
  • social media star
  • reference to the mindy project
  • blood in sink
  • god's plan
  • male rear nudity
  • hokey pokey
  • walking on glass
  • bare foot man
  • sadistic nun
  • kneeling punishment
  • man chokes a woman
  • man wears a dress
  • priest has sex with a woman
  • phone footage
  • hand over camera lens
  • betrayal
  • confession
  • live feed
  • screaming woman
  • brunette
  • embarrassment nudity
  • man in towel
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Cast & crew

The Cleansing Hour Cast & Characters

Ryan Guzman leads the cast as Max, with Kyle Gallner as Drew and Alix Angelis as Lane. Directed by Damien LeVeck; 10 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in The Cleansing Hour

· 6 more
From the director

More from Damien LeVeck

More films directed by Damien LeVeck: A Creature Was Stirring, Asylum: Twisted Horror & Fantasy Tales, The Cleansing Hour and The Cleansing Hour.

Full filmography
Ratings

The Cleansing Hour Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave The Cleansing Hour 73% on Rotten Tomatoes, and IMDb users rate it 6.0/10. Our Echo Score gives it 80/100, strongest in rewatch factor (85) and weakest in art & craft (70).

80 /100

The Cleansing Hour Echo Score Breakdown

In its modern possession narrative, The Cleansing Hour excels at twisting familiar tropes into a visually engaging spectacle. Critics and viewers note that the film’s production design and measured pacing create a dark, brooding atmosphere that reinforces its thematic concerns. While some critics point to generic social media elements and uneven execution, the majority praise the witty concept, intense set pieces, and competent performances. Ultimately, the film balances originality and convention in a way that yields an entertaining horror experience.

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

  • Art & Craft 70

    In terms of art and craft, The Cleansing Hour delivers a cohesive production design and measured editing rhythm. The film’s dark lighting schemes and practical effects receive commendation for reinforcing its ominous tone. Although some critics note a dated aesthetic in the social media set pieces, the overall visual execution maintains engagement through well-framed compositions. Net impression: a visually solid presentation with few lapses.

  • Character & Emotion 78

    When it comes to character and emotion, performances garner largely positive responses for their deadpan humor and emotional stakes. Multiple viewers praise the cast’s chemistry and ability to anchor hysteria with grounded reactions. Criticism arises around occasional uneven character motivations and less sympathetic supporting figures. Overall, the acting depth enhances the narrative despite sporadic inconsistencies in emotional resonance.

  • Story & Flow 80

    In terms of story and flow, the film is praised for injecting originality into the possession genre with inventive twists and brisk pacing. Viewers appreciate the modern social media framing and narrative momentum during key set pieces. However, several critics comment on overused tropes and dated plot devices that undermine cohesion. Ultimately, the storyline balances engaging turns with occasional lapses into predictability.

  • Sensory Experience 78

    When it comes to sensory experience, the film’s sound design and practical effects receive commendation for delivering visceral impact. The gory exorcism scenes and a tense musical score contribute to sustained tension. Critiques focus on uneven visual effects quality and a sometimes sterile soundtrack mix. Overall, the sensory elements reinforce the horror atmosphere despite occasional technical inconsistencies.

  • Rewatch Factor 85

    In terms of rewatch factor, audiences frequently cite high replay value for its tight pacing and surprising finale. Many viewers express intent to revisit the film during seasonal horror marathons, noting its blend of humor and shock. While a few find its narrative beats familiar, most report renewed enjoyment on repeat viewings. Net impression: a reliably engaging thriller worth multiple screenings.

Plot

The Cleansing Hour Plot Summary

What happens in The Cleansing Hour from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

As the cameras roll on The Cleansing Hour, childhood friends Max and Drew stage yet another intricately planned episode of the show “Father Max,” during which they perform an exorcism on a supposedly possessed person. However, behind the scenes, each possession is nothing more than a cleverly devised act aimed at captivating their audience and driving them to engage on social media and buy merchandise. For Max, the pursuit of a larger following has grown into an all-consuming obsession, compelling him to continually push the limits of their show’s appeal.

Full summary

The whole story of The Cleansing Hour, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Videos

The Cleansing Hour Trailers & Videos

The trailer of The Cleansing Hour.

The Cleansing Hour - Official Trailer [HD] | A Shudder Original
Quiz

How Well Do You Know The Cleansing Hour?

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
  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

What is the name of Max's online show?

Cars

Cars in The Cleansing Hour

29 cars on screen, including the 1987 Ford F-150 and the 1986 Dodge Power Ram.

All 29 cars
  • 1987 Ford F-150 in The Cleansing Hour 1987 Ford F-150 Main role
  • 1986 Dodge Power Ram in The Cleansing Hour 1986 Dodge Power Ram Important role
  • 1999 Ford Crown Victoria in The Cleansing Hour 1999 Ford Crown Victoria Important role
  • 1985 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme in The Cleansing Hour 1985 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme Important role

Seen The Cleansing Hour?

FAQ

The Cleansing Hour FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date

Runtime, release date, director, cast, ratings and post-credit scenes of The Cleansing Hour, each answered in a sentence.

How long is The Cleansing Hour?

The Cleansing Hour runs 1 hour 34 minutes (94 minutes).

When was The Cleansing Hour released?

The Cleansing Hour was released on January 19, 2021.

Who directed The Cleansing Hour?

The Cleansing Hour was directed by Damien LeVeck.

More films by Damien LeVeck

Who is in the cast of The Cleansing Hour?

The Cleansing Hour stars Ryan Guzman as Max, Kyle Gallner as Drew and Alix Angelis as Lane, among 10 credited actors.

How is The Cleansing Hour rated?

The Cleansing Hour has 6.0/10 on IMDb, 73% on Rotten Tomatoes, 64% on TMDB and 3.7/5 on Movie Insider.

Does The Cleansing Hour have a post-credit scene?

No. The Cleansing Hour has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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