The X Files: I Want to Believe

Mulder and Scully answer a quiet call back to the FBI when a former priest claims to receive psychic visions about a missing agent. They rejoin a wary bureau and sift through hushed leads, cryptic symbols, and rumors of clandestine experiments. The investigation tests their skepticism and faith as old dynamics resurface, sending them into a tense search that blends supernatural hints with a chilling conspiracy. Along the way they must decide what they believe and how far they will go to protect a colleague, all while probing a case that blurs the line between science, belief, and government secrecy. The mood leans toward shadowy corridors and quiet confrontations rather than overt spectacle.

Directed by Chris Carter from a screenplay by Carter and Spotnitz, this theatrical return preserves the show's tone while adding Amanda Peet as ASAC Dakota Whitney, Billy Connolly as Father Joseph Crissman, and Xzibit as Agent Mosley Drummy alongside Duchovny and Anderson.

On a 30 million budget, the film earned roughly 69,363,381 worldwide, presenting a modest return for a franchise entry. Its performance reflected a cautious box office appeal rather than explosive growth, with audiences primed for familiar faces and a sense of old school X-Files atmosphere rather than high octane spectacle.

Critics were mixed on the film. Many welcomed Mulder and Scully back and praised the moody atmosphere and performances, while others felt the story was thinner than the TV episodes. Core themes revisit belief versus skepticism, the tension between science and faith, and the personal costs of secrecy and devotion, all set against a backdrop of eerie visuals and understated suspense.

For fans, the movie functions as a late chapter in the long running mythos, delivering familiar conspiracy suspense rather than groundbreaking revelations. It offered several memorable moments and lines within X-Files circles, but didn’t redefine the franchise’s place in pop culture or spark a broader revival beyond its dedicated audience.