The Order, also known as The Sin Eater, is a 2003 mystery thriller film written and directed by Brian Helgeland, starring Heath Ledger, Benno Fürmann, Mark Addy, and Shannyn Sossamon.

Alex Bernier is a disillusioned priest and member of the fictional Carolingian Order, an ancient sect specializing in exorcisms and combating demonic forces.

Alex is dispatched by Cardinal Driscoll, a prominent Vatican official and papal candidate, to investigate the circumstances surrounding Dominic's demise.

The Vatican denies the existence of Sin Eaters and refuses Dominic a burial on consecrated ground due to alleged excommunication.

Intrigued but conflicted, Alex assists Eden in a sin-eating ritual but ultimately declines the offer, deciding to leave the priesthood to pursue a relationship with Mara.

Driscoll reveals the complete parchment, which outlines the true purpose of the dagger and incantation—not to kill the Sin Eater, but to transfer his powers to a successor.

It currently holds a 10% rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on 61 reviews, with the site's consensus calling it "a religious thriller that's more lethargic and silly than thrilling".

[4] Peter Travers of Rolling Stone described the film as "The Exorcist warmed over" and suggested that Helgeland had more fun with the cast in A Knight's Tale than The Order.

[5] Stephen Holden of The New York Times called it "a murky ecclesiastical horror film" and added that it was "so entranced by its own bogus solemnity that most of what passes for conversation is language warped into the heavy-breathing pontification of prophecy delivered in thudding Charlton Heston-style cadences.