A supernatural thriller that turned a Louisiana Walmart into a stage for biblical plagues

Entertainment · Published 3 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Released in 2007, The Reaping follows a skeptical investigator who debunks miracles until she encounters a town plagued by events mirroring biblical catastrophes. While critics panned the film, its production history is a strange saga involving real-world hurricanes, a replaced musical score, and an angry mayor from Chile.

The Reaping stars Hilary Swank as Katherine Winter, a former minister turned skeptic who investigates paranormal claims. Her worldview is challenged when she visits Haven, Louisiana, a town suffering from a series of plagues—including blood-red rivers, dying livestock, and swarms of locusts—that locals blame on a young girl named Loren McConnell. As Katherine digs deeper, she discovers that the town’s residents are part of a satanic cult attempting to sacrifice Loren, who they believe is a demonic entity. The film’s plot culminates in a revelation that Katherine herself is carrying a child fathered by the cult leader, Doug Blackwell, who is destined to be the true vessel of evil.

The production of the film was as tumultuous as its plot. Originally set in New England, the location was shifted to Louisiana at Swank's request, with filming taking place in Baton Rouge and at an abandoned Walmart. The shoot was interrupted for one week by Hurricane Katrina. Behind the scenes, the film underwent significant changes; the original score by Philip Glass was discarded in favor of a new one by John Frizzell. Furthermore, the film's release date was shifted multiple times before finally hitting theaters on April 5, 2007, to coincide with Holy Thursday.

Critical reception was overwhelmingly negative, with the film holding a 7% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Critics dismissed it as shallow and ineffective. Beyond the reviews, the film faced external backlash, specifically from the Mayor of Concepción, Chile. She formally objected to the film's opening scene, which depicted her city as a dirty, underdeveloped tropical location, noting that Concepción is actually an industrialized city with numerous universities. Despite the poor critical performance, the film managed to earn $62.8 million worldwide against a $40 million budget.

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