2023, Horror, Thriller
WISE Score
Russell Crowe zooms around on a Vespa to fight ancient demons in a Vatican horror flick that's more action-thriller than quietly unsettling.
6.9
It is better than it has any right to be, mostly because Russell Crowe decided to have a blast with the role. It is not a masterpiece of psychological terror, but as a Vatican-themed supernatural thriller, it hits the mark for genre fans.
Just keep the kids far away from this one. Between the possessed child and the demonic taunting, it is strictly for the 'after the kids are in bed' rotation.
Best for viewers 16 and up. This is a hard-R horror movie designed for adults and older teens who have the maturity to handle graphic body horror and religious intensity without losing sleep.
It is a standard possession horror film featuring a suffering child, demonic taunts, and intense religious peril. Not built for emotional comfort.
Crowe's portrayal of Father Amorth adds a unique, swashbuckling energy to the genre, and the Vatican conspiracy plot is more engaging than your average haunted house story.
Hard-R horror with significant gore, disturbing body contortions, and jump scares. Not appropriate for children or sensitive viewers.
Provides a jumping-off point for discussions about the historical Father Amorth and the intersection of religious belief and psychology, even if highly fictionalized.
Most exorcism movies are exercises in misery—dark rooms, pea soup, and a sense of impending doom. The Pope's Exorcist breaks the mold by giving us a protagonist who actually seems to enjoy his job. Russell Crowe plays Father Gabriele Amorth as a man who knows he is the smartest guy in the room and isn't afraid to crack a joke or take a swig of whiskey before staring down a demon.
The movie works best when it leans into the investigative thriller angle. It is not just about a kid tied to a bed; it is about a centuries-old cover-up involving the Spanish Inquisition and the deep basements of the Vatican. It feels less like a traditional horror film and more like an occult detective story. If your teen is a fan of the Conjuring universe, this is right in that wheelhouse, though it is a bit more graphic.
It is worth noting for the curious that Father Amorth was a very real person who claimed to have performed tens of thousands of exorcisms. He was a controversial figure who founded the International Association of Exorcists. While the movie adds CGI explosions and ancient conspiracies, the core of the character—his belief that most 'possessions' were actually mental health issues—is grounded in his real-life writings. This makes for a great post-movie talk about the intersection of faith, psychology, and how Hollywood polishes history for the big screen.
Is it high art? No. Is it the scariest thing you'll see this year? Probably not. But it is highly watchable. Crowe’s Italian accent is a choice, but it is a choice he commits to fully. For parents, this is a solid Friday night pick once the younger kids are asleep. It delivers the jumps and the gore you expect from an R-rated horror title without being so nihilistic that you feel gross afterward. Just be ready for the body horror; when the movie goes for the possession tropes, it doesn't hold back on the practical effects or the digital slime.
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