Introduction
In 1999, after the box-office success of his most recent film, Chasing Amy (1997), Kevin Smith decided to bring a long-gestating project to life. While in film school, developing his debut feature, Clerks (1994), Smith was working on a screenplay he referred to as his ‘God’ project. By the time Clerks was picked up for distribution, Smith had finished the script and changed the title to Dogma. The film was to be a bold satire that both critiques and celebrates religious dogma in a way that only Kevin Smith could pull off.
Upon its release, as predicted, Dogma ignited significant controversy due to its irreverent portrayal of Catholicism. The Catholic League condemned Smith’s film as blasphemous. This led to nationwide protests as well as threats against Smith. The director received over 400,000 pieces of hate mail and three death threats. Despite this, Dogma was a commercial success, grossing $43.9 million against a $10 million budget.
For years, Dogma was unavailable on streaming platforms due to rights issues between Smith and Miramax. After Harvey Weinstein’s legal troubles, Smith announced in 2024 that he had successfully bought back the film’s rights. Now, twenty-five years later (actually, twenty-six), Smith is taking a 4K restoration of Dogma on the road and across the US (the Dogma: Resurrection Tour). This leads up to the film being re-released across 1500 theaters nationwide in June. Smith also indicated that he’s working on a sequel script.
Synopsis
Dogma centers on two fallen angels, Loki (Matt Damon) and Bartleby (Ben Affleck), who were banished from Heaven and condemned to eternal exile in, of all places, Wisconsin. They discover a loophole in Catholic dogma that would allow them to reenter Heaven by passing through a church archway during its rededication ceremony. However, doing so would prove God fallible, thus unraveling all of existence.
To prevent this, Heaven recruits Bethany Sloane (Linda Fiorentino), a disillusioned abortion clinic worker, and the last living relative of Jesus Christ. She’s tasked with stopping the angels and is joined on her mission by Jay and Silent Bob (Jason Mewes and Kevin Smith), a pair of vulgar stoners. Rufus (Chris Rock), the 13th apostle omitted from the Bible because he’s Black. Serendipity (Salma Hayek), a muse turned stripper who has lost her creative spark. And the Metatron (Alan Rickman), the sarcastic voice of God.
As the group journeys to New Jersey (where else) to confront the angels, they face demons, religious zealots, and their own personal doubts. Throughout all of this, Bartleby and Loki grapple with their roles in divine justice and the meaning of forgiveness. God (Alanis Morissette) eventually shows up to restore balance and to reveal the ultimate truth about faith: it should be based on ideas and love, not rigid doctrine.
Release and Legacy
Critically, Dogma received a mixed but generally positive reception. Many praised Smith’s ambition and sharp wit in tackling heavy theological themes with irreverent humor. Roger Ebert gave the film 3.5 out of 4 stars, commending its intelligence beneath the crudeness. Others, however, felt the film’s tonal shifts between slapstick, philosophy, and spiritual commentary were uneven, with some critics calling it overstuffed or self-indulgent.
Despite the polarizing response by viewers and critics, Dogma has developed a significant cult following over the past quarter century. Fans admire its boldness, originality, and surprisingly earnest exploration of faith, free will, and redemption. Performances by Alan Rickman as the sardonic Metatron and Chris Rock as the overlooked 13th apostle Rufus are standouts in a loaded cast that is firing on all cylinders. Today, Dogma is widely considered one of Kevin Smith’s most ambitious and thought-provoking works.
The Resurrection Tour
To celebrate the film’s 25th anniversary, and in collaboration with Iconic Events, Dogma has been remastered in stunning 4K for re-release in theaters only. To commemorate the occasion, AMC Theatres is supporting a national tour that will feature Q&A screenings hosted by Kevin Smith. This leads up to the June 5th nationwide release.
The Dogma: Resurrection Tour kicked off on April 20, 2025 (Easter Sunday…of course) in Los Angeles at the Grove Theater. The film was also screened on May 22 at the Cannes Film Festival in the prestigious Palais des Festivals as part of the Cannes Classics 2025. Across the country, the re-release tour has been met with Rocky Horror-like enthusiasm and standing ovations. Kevin Smith stated:
“Sold out screenings, standing ovations, and now Cannes? This is beyond divine…To see Dogma honored as a Cannes Classic is a true blessing. Thanks to Iconic Events, AMC Theatres, and everyone who believed in this resurrection, and thank you to the fans who showed up in pews full!…We made this movie with humor, heresy, and a hell of a lot of heart, and somehow, it’s still finding new audiences 25 years later. That’s a miracle in my book!”
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