I have to admit, going into The Pope’s Exorcist I wasn’t very excited. I thought the trailer looked ridiculous, and too over the top. The idea of Russell Crowe taking on a role like Father Gabriel was absurd in my mind. However, I have to say I was proved wrong…but also right. 

The premise of The Pope’s Exorcist is interesting. Father Gabriele Amorth was a real person. He was a Catholic priest and one of 5 other priests who founded the International Association of Exorcists. Father Amorth also claims to have performed tens of thousands of exorcisms over the course of his career. So, in the film, we are taken on a journey through one of those exorcisms that are supposedly in his journals. 

This is the exorcism of all exorcisms. This is the one that forces him, and his companion Father Esquibel (Daniel Zovatto) to look at themselves, make amends, and be worthy. 

THE POPE’S EXORCIST STARTS STRONG

While watching the film, I found myself surprised by how much I was enjoying Russell Crowe’s (Gladiator) portrayal of Father Gabriel Amorth. His gruff, tough guy persona was exactly what this character needed, and you can see how much fun he’s having. While I’m not the best judge of an authentic Italian accent, I believed it. 

There aren’t a ton of jump scares or scares at all in The Pope’s Exorcist, but the action isn’t what you’d quite expect from an exorcism film. I was pleasantly surprised and widely entertained. 

Finding child actors that are believable in horror films is surprisingly difficult. That said, newcomer Peter DeSouza-Feighoney did an excellent job! 

WHERE THE FILM LOST ME – SPOILER TERRITORY 

Throughout the film we learn of Father Amorth’s biggest regret, and how the demon has been hunting him for ages. This isn’t uncommon in exorcisms films. However, they go a step further. As the storylines are revealed, it turns out Father Amorth ignored the signs of abuse that caused one of his cases to unalive themselves. 

As far as Father Esquibel, he too had a hidden secret that was being exposed. He was sleeping with a woman from his parish. He chose his cloth over her which caused her shame and him not even a slap on the wrist. 

These two women because full formed naked demons chasing the priests and forcing them to face their pasts. While this was hilarious, it felt out of place for the tone of the film and ripped me right out. 

While I appreciate the “insight” of the abuse of the church, and how men get away with everything there’s no real accountability or resolve when it comes to these storylines. They feel very thrown away and barely a catalyst to the storyline.

The Pope’s Exorcist hits theaters this Friday, April 14, 2023!