The X Files: I Want to Believe

Name: The X Files: I Want to Believe
Director: Chris Carter
Genre: Drama, Mystery, Science Fiction, Thriller, Horror
Released: 2008-07-24
Duration: 6240000 s
Rating: 3.2
Cast: David Duchovny, Gillian Anderson, Amanda Peet

Directed by Chris Carter

PG-13

2008 1h 44mDrama, Mystery,

5.932%32%

Mulder 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.

Where to Watch The X Files: I Want to Believe

Cast of The X Files: I Want to Believe

David DuchovnyFox Mulder
Gillian AndersonDana Scully
Amanda PeetASAC Dakota Whitney
Billy ConnollyFather Joseph Crissman
XzibitAgent Mosley Drummy
Mitch PileggiWalter Skinner
Callum Keith Rennie2nd Abductor - Janke Dacyshyn
Adam GodleyFather Ybarra
Nicki Aycox2nd Victim - Cheryl Cunningham
Alex DiakunGaunt Man
Fagin Woodcock1st Abductor - Franz Tomczeszyn
Marco NiccoliChristian Fearon
Carrie RuscheinskyMargaret Fearon
Spencer MaybeeBlair Fearon
Veronika HadraváFemale Assistant
Denis KrasnogolovMale Assistant
Patrick KeatingSlight Man
Stephen E. MillerFeed Store Proprietor
Xantha RadleyMonica Bannan
Lorena GaleOn Screen Doctor
Donavon StinsonSuited Man
Dion Johnstone1st Cop
Sarah-Jane RedmondSpecial Agent in Charge
Christina D'AlimonteDoctor's Colleague
Vanesa TomasinoHallway Agent
Luvia PetersenO.R. Nurse
Babs ChulaSurgeon
Marci T. HouseSheriff
Joseph Patrick FinnWhispering Priest
Beth SieglerAnesthesiologist
Stacee CopelandDoctor
Tom CharronSheriff Horton
Brent C.S. O'ConnorTow Truck Driver
Lynne BurnettMurder Victim (uncredited)
Chris CarterMan Sitting in Hospital Hallway (uncredited)
Dave CoteD-Man (uncredited)
Roger HorchowElderly Gent (uncredited)
Celeste InsellBoard Room Doctor (uncredited)
Paul MittonFBI Agent (uncredited)
Vanessa MorleyFemale Hallway Agent (uncredited)
Teana-Marie SmithNurse (uncredited)
Michael StevensBoard Room Doctor (uncredited)

The X Files: I Want to Believe Ratings & Reviews

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.

Watch The X Files: I Want to Believe Videos

The X-Files: I Want To Believe
The X-Files: I Want To BelieveTrailer
The X-Files: I Want To Believe (Trailer 1)
The X-Files: I Want To Believe (Trailer 1)Trailer
The X-Files: I Want To Believe (Reading The Script Exclusive)
The X-Files: I Want To Believe (Reading The Script Exclusive)Scene