Holy Smoke

Holy Smoke

He had only one thing on his mind... but so did she!

Directed by Jane Campion

Produced by Jan Chapman Productions, Miramax

1999115 min5.7 / 10

A provocative romantic comedy-drama about ideological and sexual sparring between a cult deprogrammer and a spiritually committed woman in an isolated desert setting.

While on a journey of discovery in exotic India, beautiful young Ruth Barron falls under the influence of a charismatic religious guru. Her desperate parents then hire PJ Waters, a macho cult de-programmer who confronts Ruth in a remote desert hideaway. But PJ quickly learns that he's met his match in the sexy, intelligent and iron-willed Ruth.

Questions people ask

  • Is Holy Smoke one of a kind? Yes, very. More singular than 97% of films.

  • Is Holy Smoke scary? Somewhat. More frightening than 67% of films.

  • Is Holy Smoke easy watching? About average. Almost exactly mid-range.

  • Is Holy Smoke violent? About average. Almost exactly mid-range.

  • Is Holy Smoke sad? About average. Almost exactly mid-range.

  • Does Holy Smoke end with hope? About average. Almost exactly mid-range.

These describe how the film comes across, measured across the whole film and compared with other well-known films. They are not a content list — nothing here was counted or checked scene by scene, so for age-suitability or specific content use a classification board or a dedicated content-warning service.

28/ 100

Cinnamon Score

How much this film gives you that nothing else will, and whether it delivers.

You have seen this shape before.

Rarity95

How unlike any other film this one feels

Surprise7

How much more it delivers than it promises

Love13

How much audiences actually like it

The highest scores in the catalogue →

Ensemble

Everything like Holy Smoke, and what each one shares →

Like Holy Smoke

Nearest across the full emotional profile.

Same Mood as Holy Smoke

Nearest on what's most distinctive about this one.

Like Holy Smoke, But Darker

Similar, pushed toward heavier and more intense.

Like Holy Smoke, But Lighter

Similar, pushed toward warmer and easier.

Like Holy Smoke, But Less Popular

Same territory, far fewer people have seen it.

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