The X Files: I want to believe (2008)

Director: Chris Carter

Starring: David Duchovny, Gillian Anderson, Billy Connolly

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.

Call me deprived, but I have actually never seen a single episode of the X Files TV series – believe it or not!

I was therefore able to view ‘The X Files: I want to believe’ as a standalone movie. When an FBI agent disappears, Mulder and Scully (Duchovny and Anderson) are called in to investigate. A psychic, Father Joe (Connolly) claims the victim is still alive. Having very little faith in Father Joe, the FBI are stunned by him accurately pointing out evidence.

‘I want to believe’ is a mystery thriller that gets more and more bizarre – and interesting – as more evidence is found and they uncover something far more sinister then they had anticipated. This was creepier than expected, with good performances, and good make-up and visuals.

In the midst of everything, there’s a boy with a rare stem cell disease, whom Scully is treating. I’m not sure how this has anything to do with the plot, except for an inspirational line from Father Joe (to Scully), but apart from that it had no significance. Maybe I’m missing the connection here.

‘The X Files: I want to believe’ is a stylish mystery horror thriller, and the quick-cut editing between scenes ensures a fast-paced film that’s never boring. There’s also a lot of personal issues here, as well, which blends rather well with the story.

The film earned $69.3 million on a $30 million budget.

Would I watch it again? Yes.