The stage curtains open ...
Father Esquibel: "Let's go to work." Father Amorth: "Let's go to Hell."
"The Pope's Exorcist" (2023) starring Russell Crowe and Daniel Zovatto is a loosely based film on the true life story of Father Gabriele Amorth, who was a Catholic Priest and an Exorcist for the Diocese of Rome which is under the direct jurisdiction of the Pope - hence, the title of the movie. I really didn't know what to expect coming in, other than your usual exorcist-type stuff (prayers in chaotic situations from priests standing over a restrained possessed individual tied to a bed). We certainly got that ... and a whole lot more.
Father Gabriele Amorth (Crowe) is being questioned about his methods as an exorcist, one who is perceived as being a bit of a rogue and independent, taking matters into his own hands without receiving the required approvals needed first. But, when a little boy is possessed by a rather strong demon in an abbey in Spain, he is assigned firsthand by the Pope himself to go and investigate, as this particular location has been a sore spot for the church in the past. Expecting this to be the 'usual' situation, Father Amorth finds that this may be the biggest challenge he's ever faced, maybe even at the cost of his own life. This is no small deal ... this is something that could destroy everything he knows and bring the church to its knees. All they need is the demon's name ... without it, they are doomed.
Curious, I did a little research on the actual priest that this movie was based on, and coincidentally enough, he has been described as the "James Bond of exorcists". I say that is coicidental because, after the movie ended, that is EXACTLY what I was thinking. "I'm Amorth. Gabriele Amorth. I am Double O - 666. License to exorcise." I was thinking to myself that if James Bond were an exorcist, this is how he'd be. There is very little to none with the scare factor here. It is heavy on the intrigue, the investigation that leads us to a solemn secret, and tons of special effects and action. We get a lot of the usual cliche'd dialogue lines such as 'God works in mysterious ways', and the like. As well as a formidable demonic force to be defeated.
This wasn't a bad movie, per se. If you are going in expecting a good, scary horror film ... this is not it. Some of the situations were even borderline laughable, but the cinematography was excellent, and Russell Crowe carries the film remarkably, as he often does. I wouldn't recommend it, but I feel it is worth a watch at a rating of 6 stars out of 10. "The Pope's Exorcist" will keep you engaged and interested. It won't scare you, but it will entertain you.
Father Esquibel: "Let's go to work." Father Amorth: "Let's go to Hell."
"The Pope's Exorcist" (2023) starring Russell Crowe and Daniel Zovatto is a loosely based film on the true life story of Father Gabriele Amorth, who was a Catholic Priest and an Exorcist for the Diocese of Rome which is under the direct jurisdiction of the Pope - hence, the title of the movie. I really didn't know what to expect coming in, other than your usual exorcist-type stuff (prayers in chaotic situations from priests standing over a restrained possessed individual tied to a bed). We certainly got that ... and a whole lot more.
Father Gabriele Amorth (Crowe) is being questioned about his methods as an exorcist, one who is perceived as being a bit of a rogue and independent, taking matters into his own hands without receiving the required approvals needed first. But, when a little boy is possessed by a rather strong demon in an abbey in Spain, he is assigned firsthand by the Pope himself to go and investigate, as this particular location has been a sore spot for the church in the past. Expecting this to be the 'usual' situation, Father Amorth finds that this may be the biggest challenge he's ever faced, maybe even at the cost of his own life. This is no small deal ... this is something that could destroy everything he knows and bring the church to its knees. All they need is the demon's name ... without it, they are doomed.
Curious, I did a little research on the actual priest that this movie was based on, and coincidentally enough, he has been described as the "James Bond of exorcists". I say that is coicidental because, after the movie ended, that is EXACTLY what I was thinking. "I'm Amorth. Gabriele Amorth. I am Double O - 666. License to exorcise." I was thinking to myself that if James Bond were an exorcist, this is how he'd be. There is very little to none with the scare factor here. It is heavy on the intrigue, the investigation that leads us to a solemn secret, and tons of special effects and action. We get a lot of the usual cliche'd dialogue lines such as 'God works in mysterious ways', and the like. As well as a formidable demonic force to be defeated.
This wasn't a bad movie, per se. If you are going in expecting a good, scary horror film ... this is not it. Some of the situations were even borderline laughable, but the cinematography was excellent, and Russell Crowe carries the film remarkably, as he often does. I wouldn't recommend it, but I feel it is worth a watch at a rating of 6 stars out of 10. "The Pope's Exorcist" will keep you engaged and interested. It won't scare you, but it will entertain you.