The X Files: I Want to Believe
Directed by Chris CarterMulder and Scully are called back to duty by the FBI when a former priest claims to be receiving psychic visions pertaining to a kidnapped agent.
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The X Files: I Want to Believe Ratings & Reviews
- 匚卂尺ㄥMay 15, 2025It started out as good as the original X-Files but then error after error occurred to the point of being ridiculous. Examples? Mulder barely survives a brutal car crash but he still manages to CLIMB a FENCE AND take on a Savage Canine?? Then enters the Laboratory and feebly attempts to take on every Russian in there? He didn't even have a gun on him as Skinner did. And Scully? All she did was whine and whine throughout this entire movie. It was Mulder the FBI beseeched "help" from, not Scully, but she stepped right on in and completely berated Father Joe the very first time she met him. His past crimes were none of her business. Then she returns to his "home" and got him so upset that he ended up having a seizure. Her treatment of Father Joe throughout the entire movie was so harsh, so brutal. If it wasn't for the Proverb being on that one mailbox, she never would have been able to save Mulder from bring decapitated. As far as "Whitney"? WHY would her and Mulder be yelling back and forth the entire time when the Russian could hear every yell that emanated from their mouths? So stupid. No wonder he crept right up to Whitney and caused her agonizing death. And, WHY, out of nowhere, does Whitney scream "Fox", vs Mulder, nearing her death? What's the point of applying his FIRST name? There are so many more instances of such lunacy but what I'd really like to know is WHY (AGAIN) the "Tears of Blood" were NEVER explained. Those tears occurred twice. Scully did not believe Mulder and easily could have confirmed that these red tears dripped onto the white snow with Whitney, but of course Whitney met her ultimate demise. I'll end this for now but extremely disappointed. On a lighter note, Mulder looked great with a beard and it was refreshing to see Skinner once again.
- Michael HeimgartnerMarch 15, 2025★★★★ – More X-Files Than You Remember As a longtime X-Files fan, I’ve always felt that I Want to Believe (2008) deserved more appreciation. While it disappointed those expecting a mythology-driven film, it remains a well-crafted, eerie thriller that stays true to the heart of The X-Files. I get why people were disappointed by I Want to Believe. No aliens, no Smoking Man, no grand conspiracy. But let’s be real—The X-Files has always been more than just its mythology. This film embraces the show’s quieter, more philosophical side, and for that, I respect it. It’s a grounded, almost meditative thriller that places Mulder and Scully at the center of a dark, disturbing case. Rather than focusing on government conspiracies or alien cover-ups, the film takes a monster-of-the-week approach—except this time, the monster is human. Mulder and Scully’s return is the real highlight; their relationship, now more mature and complex, carries the emotional weight of the film. It’s a grounded, character-driven story, exploring faith, belief, and the cost of never letting go of the truth. Their struggles with belief, science, and faith are what The X-Files has always been about, and this film brings those themes back in a deeply personal way. The snowy, barren landscapes create an unsettling atmosphere that fits the film’s tone perfectly. There’s something haunting about watching Mulder and Scully navigate this case, still searching for answers after all these years. It’s slow, introspective, and maybe not what fans expected, but it’s undeniably X-Files. The decision to tell a more intimate story may not have been what 20th Century Fox’s marketing suggested, but it aligns perfectly with The X-Files’ core themes. It’s a different kind of X-Files movie, but one that stays true to the spirit of the show. If you can accept it for what it is, rather than what it isn’t, you might find yourself appreciating it much more. Was it the film we wanted? Maybe not. But it was the film Chris Carter wanted to tell. And honestly? I want to believe that’s enough.
