Novitiate

Set in the early 1960s as Vatican II unfolds, Novitiate follows a young woman who has joined a convent and hopes to find her place within a life of vows. As she trains, she wrestles with questions about faith, sexuality, and what it means to be a modern sister in a church on the cusp of reform. The story centers on her intimate encounters with the strict, devoted Reverend Mother, the close-knit community of sisters, and the external pressures of a church hierarchy that is quietly changing. The atmosphere blends austere routine with moments of tenderness and doubt, inviting viewers to weigh devotion against personal truth. Her inner conflict is mirrored by the convent's routines and the era's changing attitudes toward celibacy, authority and tradition.

Directed by Margaret Betts, Novitiate presents an original screenplay set in the 1960s era, focusing on a young novice's awakening within a strict religious community and the tensions between duty, desire, and reform that shape her choices throughout her confinement.

On its modest run, the film grossed 580,346 dollars worldwide, a figure that underscores its status as a small independent drama driven by intimate character work rather than broad mass appeal. Its release strategy centered on festivals and selective theaters.

Culturally the film adds a quiet voice to discussions of faith and female autonomy during a period of church reform. It prompts viewers to consider how individuals negotiate desire and duty within strict institutions, and it lingers as a respectful portrait of religious life under pressure.

Critics highlighted the film's restrained direction and the strong performances by Margaret Qualley and Melissa Leo as the driving force. The drama probes questions of fidelity, doubt, and the pace of change within religious life set against the social upheavals of the era. The film favors quiet detail over sensationalism.