If you are looking for a horror movie that combines exorcism, Vatican conspiracy, and Russell Crowe in a priest’s robe, then you might enjoy The Pope’s Exorcist 2023. The movie is inspired by the true story of Father Gabriele Amorth, the chief exorcist of the Vatican, who performed thousands of exorcisms in his lifetime. The movie follows Amorth (played by Crowe) as he investigates a young boy’s possession in a remote abbey in Spain and uncovers a dark secret that the Vatican has tried to hide for centuries.
The movie is directed by Julius Avery, who previously helmed the Nazi zombie thriller Overlord. The screenplay is written by Michael Petroni and Evan Spiliotopoulos, based on the books “An Exorcist Tells His Story” and “An Exorcist: More Stories” by Amorth himself. The cast also includes Daniel Zovatto as Father Esquibel, a young and naive priest who assists Amorth; Alex Essoe as Julia, the boy’s mother who inherited the abbey from her late husband; and Franco Nero as the pope, who knows more than he lets on.
The Pope’s Exorcist 2023 is not a serious or scary horror movie, but rather a fun and campy one that embraces its absurd premise and delivers some entertaining moments. Crowe is clearly having a blast playing Amorth, who is portrayed as a witty, tough, and badass priest who rides a scooter, drinks whiskey, and cracks jokes while battling demons. He also has some chemistry with Zovatto, who plays the straight man to his comic relief. The movie also has some impressive visual effects and makeup, especially for the possessed boy, who undergoes some gruesome transformations.
The movie is not without its flaws, however. The plot is predictable and full of cliches, such as profanity, blasphemy, vomit, levitation, etc. The movie also tries to incorporate some historical and theological elements, such as the Inquisition, the Crusades, and the sexual abuse scandals, but they feel forced and superficial. The movie also suffers from some tonal inconsistencies, as it shifts from comedy to horror to action to drama without much coherence. The movie also has a rushed and anticlimactic ending that leaves many questions unanswered.
Overall, The Pope’s Exorcist 2023 is a watchable but far-from-special rehash of exorcism movie cliches, with detours into a Vatican conspiracy plot that has been compared to Dan Brown’s novels. It is saved from eternal damnation by Crowe’s charismatic performance and Avery’s energetic direction. It is a movie that does not take itself too seriously and neither should you. It is best enjoyed with low expectations and a sense of humor.
If you are interested in watching the movie, you can check out the official trailer or buy tickets on Fandango. You can also visit the IMDB page for more information about the cast and crew.
