Margaret Qualley appears in a scene from "Novitiate."

“Novitiate” is that rare film when it comes to religion – a tough, honest look at faith from writer/director Margaret Betts that is both critical and respectful.

The film is set in the early 1960s during the early days of Vatican II – a time that saw changes in the Catholic church that were deemed radical by some.

Margaret Qualley plays Cathleen, a young woman from a broken home in rural Tennessee given a scholarship to a Catholic school – where she finds herself drawn to idea of becoming a nun and dedicating her life to the curch.

She begins her training – devoted to serving God – only to struggles with issues of faith, sexuality, and the changes in the church.

While Qualley’s Cathleen is the center of the story “Novitiate” is as much about everyone else tackling the tasks of their training starting from postulates then progressing forward. The doubts of those in training, including Cathleen, as is Cathleen’s unflinching passion to devote herself to something that has filled a void in her own life.

Qualley, last seen in “The Nice Guys” is very good in the lead role, as is Julianne Nicholson as Cathleen’s non-religious mother who doesn’t understand why her daughter would choose this lifestyle.

But it’s Melissa Leo’s Reverend Mother who leaves the most lasting impression. Leo is a knockout with her character running the convent like a religious boot camp. She’s tough, at times some might argue she crosses the line, but there is respect in what the Reverend Mother does because it is clearly how she has served God for 40 years.

Her struggles with the changes in the church are as compelling as the postulates, a nice balance from Betts that gives “Novitiate” its strength.

Leo’s performance is worthy of Oscar consideration, while the film is one that deserves to find an audience intrigued by the continued debate of what it means to have faith and how that faith can truly guide your life.

Starring: Margaret Qualley, Melissa Leo

Directed by: Margaret Betts

Rating: R for language, some sexuality and nudity

Playing at: Belcourt Theater in Nashville (opens Friday)

Grade: B