The Pope’s Exorcist Movie Review: A Vespa riding Russell Crowe is fun to watch, but where is the horror

Review: Based on the authentic records of Father Gabriele Amorth, the Vatican’s leading Exorcist, The Pope’s Exorcist is a watchable flick that centers on his biggest career regret when a woman faked possession. This movie is not an exposé on the Vatican’s well-known exorcism practices, but rather a portrayal of real-life exorcism cases that Amorth handled during his career, and this film focuses on one such case. Starring Russell Crowe, the movie also draws inspiration from The Exorcist, featuring scenes of a child bound to a bed, objects moving on their own, priests brandishing crosses, and levitation. The film’s fright elements are heavily influenced by Japanese horror as well. It’s worth noting that William Friedkin, the director of The Exorcist, produced a documentary on Father Amorth in 2017, a year after his passing in 2016.

The Pope’s Exorcist portrays the story of Father Amorth, a real-life figure appointed by the Vatican to conduct exorcisms. When a family inherits an abbey in Spain, they temporarily move there to supervise the restoration work. During this time, Julia’s son Henry becomes possessed, with the devil making a specific demand – to see Amorth. As Amorth arrives at the abbey, he realizes he’s facing an insurmountable challenge against an incredibly powerful devil.

After a period of lying low, Russell Crowe’s talent resurfaces in The Pope’s Exorcist. Crowe’s remarkable performance in the film is noteworthy, and it’s evident that he thoroughly enjoyed portraying the character of Father Amorth. Credit goes to the writers for creating a well-crafted character whose biggest nightmare is losing to France in the World Cup. Watching Crowe ride a Vespa scooter through the streets of Rome, fighting demons with humour, makes for a delicious guilty pleasure watch. While his Italian accent may divide audiences, it undoubtedly has an edge over Jared Leto’s accent in House of Gucci. However, the standout performer is Peter DeSouza-Feighoney as Henry, delivering a brilliant performance that’s both tender and brutal.

Certain scenes, particularly those set in the catacombs, are executed exceptionally well in this fast-paced horror-thriller. Another scene towards the climax, featuring a blood-covered woman, draws inspiration from Japanese horror. The movie also effectively comments on the issue of sexual abuse within the church, seamlessly woven into the narrative. Humorous moments provide welcome relief from the constant tension. The gradual build-up of the story means that tension slowly escalates, ultimately reaching a crescendo. While the movie ultimately follows a formulaic horror format, it still manages to entertain viewers and a lot of it is to do with Crowe’s terrific sense of humour.