MOVIE REVIEW – Russell Crowe stars as the Vatican’s chief exorcist in this uninspired and clichéd possession thriller.

The Pope’s Exorcist is a 2023 American supernatural horror film directed by Julius Avery from a screenplay by Michael Petroni and Evan Spiliotopoulos, based on the 1990 book An Exorcist Tells His Story and the 1992 book An Exorcist: More Stories by Father Gabriele Amorth. The film stars Russell Crowe as Amorth, with Daniel Zovatto, Alex Essoe, and Franco Nero in supporting roles. The film follows Amorth as he investigates a young boy’s terrifying possession and ends up uncovering a centuries-old conspiracy the Vatican has desperately tried to keep hidden.

The Devil is in the Details

The Pope’s Exorcist is a standard-issue holy horror in most respects, but its star’s sanctified performance will be the answer to some viewers’ prayers. Russell Crowe delivers a charismatic and convincing portrayal of Father Gabriele Amorth, the Pope’s personal exorcist, an earthy, scooter-riding, humorous, practical man who has no qualms about driving demons into pigs or using a Saint Benedict Medal sacramental as a weapon. Crowe elevates the material with his presence and charisma, making us care about his character and his mission.

Unfortunately, the rest of the film does not live up to Crowe’s performance. The plot is absurdly convoluted and full of holes, relying on cheap jump scares, clichéd tropes, and recycled ideas from better exorcism movies. The film tries to balance horror, mystery, and drama, but fails at all three. The horror scenes are predictable and repetitive, the mystery is poorly explained and resolved, and the drama is melodramatic and unconvincing.

The Power of Crowe Compels You

The film’s saving grace is Crowe’s chemistry with his co-stars, especially Daniel Zovatto as Henry, the possessed boy who becomes Amorth’s protege. Zovatto does a decent job of portraying Henry’s trauma and transformation, and his scenes with Crowe are some of the most engaging in the film. Alex Essoe as Henry’s mother Julia and Franco Nero as the Pope also have some good moments with Crowe, but their characters are underdeveloped and underused.

The film also has some impressive production values, with a convincing recreation of the Vatican and its surroundings. The cinematography by Khalid Mohtaseb is atmospheric and stylish, and the music by Jed Kurzel is haunting and effective. The film does not shy away from gore and violence, but it also does not exploit them for cheap shocks. The film tries to be respectful of its source material and its religious themes, but it also does not take itself too seriously.

The Exorcist of the Corn

The acting of the other actors in The Pope’s Exorcist is not much better than the writing. The possessed kid, Henry, played by Peter DeSouza-Feighoney, is supposed to be a traumatized and tormented soul, but he comes across as a one-note villain. He always makes the same menacing face and speaks in the same monotone voice, whether he is cursing at his mother, mocking the priest, or spitting out blood. He does not evoke any sympathy or fear, only annoyance and boredom.

The same goes for his sister Amy, played by Laurel Marsden, who is supposed to be a rebellious and troubled teenager, but she is just a clichéd stereotype. She smokes, drinks, listens to loud music, and flirts with the local boys. She does not have any depth or personality, and her relationship with her brother is never explored or explained.

The only actor who tries to do something different is Daniel Zovatto as Father Esquibel, the local priest who assists Amorth. He adds some humor and charm to his role, but he is also underused and sidelined by the plot. The rest of the cast is forgettable and bland, wasting their talents and potential.

Hail Mary, Full of Grace

The Pope’s Exorcist is not a terrible film, but it is not memorable either. It is a mediocre horror movie that wastes its potential and its star. It is neither scary nor thrilling nor profound. It is a holy mess of a horror movie that will leave you feeling possessed by boredom.

The film tries to be respectful of its source material and its religious themes, but it also does not take itself too seriously. However, this results in a tonal inconsistency and a lack of tension. The film does not know if it wants to be a serious drama, a campy comedy, or a gory spectacle. The film does not have a clear vision or a strong voice. It is a bland and generic copy of better exorcism movies.

The film also tries to add some mystery and intrigue to the plot, by revealing a centuries-old conspiracy the Vatican has tried to keep hidden. However, this subplot is poorly explained and resolved, and it does not add anything to the story or the characters. The film does not explore the implications or the consequences of this revelation. The film does not challenge or surprise the audience. It is a lazy and predictable twist that does not make sense.

The Pope’s Exorcist is a film that had some potential and some talent, but it squandered them all. It is a film that does not have anything new or interesting to say or show. It is a film that does not have any soul or spirit. It is a film that will make you pray for the end credits.

-BadSector-