Russell Crowe stars as the Vatican's real-life exorcist in this supernatural horror film
In short: Inspired by the books of Father Gabriele Amorth, the Pope's personal exorcist, this 2023 film blends historical intrigue with demonic possession. While critics offered mixed reviews, the movie became a streaming hit, sparking debate among real-world exorcists who condemned its portrayal of the Church as unreliable splatter cinema.
The Pope's Exorcist, directed by Julius Avery and released in 2023, is based on the writings of Father Gabriele Amorth, a real-life Italian priest who served as the Vatican's chief exorcist. The film stars Russell Crowe as Amorth, depicting him as an earthy, scooter-riding figure who confronts a powerful demon named Asmodeus within a Spanish abbey. The plot weaves in elements of the Spanish Inquisition, suggesting a long-hidden Church conspiracy that Amorth and his assistant, Father Tomas Esquibel, must uncover to save a possessed American boy.
Production for the film began in 2020 after Screen Gems secured the rights to Amorth's life story. Filming took place in Ireland and Italy between August and October 2022. Upon its release in April 2023, the film grossed $77 million worldwide. Despite its commercial success, including a nine-day run as the number one film on Netflix in America, the reception was polarized. Critics on Rotten Tomatoes gave it a 51% approval rating, with many praising Crowe's charismatic performance while noting the film's standard-issue horror tropes.
The film faced significant pushback from the International Association of Exorcists. The organization publicly condemned the movie as pretentious and unreliable, arguing that its conspiratorial narrative creates unacceptable doubt regarding the true nature of the devil versus ecclesiastical power. Conversely, some Christian reviewers found merit in its themes of sacrifice and love. Following the film's performance, a sequel was announced in April 2023 and officially greenlit in May 2024, signaling the studio's intent to continue the franchise despite the controversy surrounding its depiction of the priesthood.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: The Pope's Exorcist
- Also: Wikidata — The Pope's Exorcist · CC0
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