"The Rite" Michael is Kovak (played by O'Donoghue) to enter the seminary to escape his father and the funeral business. While Michael is not sure he is fully committed to the Church and the priesthood, is the only other career path he can follow his father. Just before graduation, Michael decides not to take their vows, but one priest convinces him to take a course on exorcism for three months offered by the Vatican before making your final decision.
Once in Rome, Michael meets a journalist, Angelina (played by Alice Braga), who is also enrolled in the exorcism. She tells Michael that is taking the class because the world is interested in exorcism, and want to show the Vatican to take on the subject. She also interested in her story after she discovered that she was introduced to an Orthodox priest, Father Trevant Lucas (played by Hopkins).
Lucas is in the process of exorcising a girl pregnant 16-year-old Rosa (played by Marta Gastini). However, Michael does not believe that Rose is possessed and is not compatible with the exorcism, and he does not believe in the devil or demons, and expressed concern with Lucas. As Luke tries to show Michael the devil really exists, but also tries to help him overcome his own demons.
"The Rite" itself is an Orthodox exorcism movie, even though New Line Cinema tried to sell the plot line as Michael and Luke just try to drive the demons of a specific person. Although the two are determined to help Rosa during part of the film, the story is surprising that acts as a sub-plot to Michael struggling with their faith. Director Mikael Håfström made the right decision in doing so, and instead the audience gets to know the priest performing the exorcism of the possessed instead. The beginning of the film moves at a steady pace, failing to show the fight of Michael with his father's business and the death of his mother with his skepticism to accept his faith and dedicated his life to his religion.