I’m not one for horror films. I just really hate waiting for the jump scare, false alarm, then getting scared out of your wits. However, when the invite to The Pope’s Exorcist popped into my inbox and seeing that it stars the one and only Russell Crowe (one of my favourite actors) I couldn’t help but say yes.

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While there are elements of The Pope’s Exorcist that are overly familiar, it’s in the execution of the story and in Crowe’s lead performance that makes it such an entertaining ride.

Inspired by the actual files of Father Gabriele Amorth, Chief Exorcist of the Vatican (Academy Award®-winner Russell Crowe), The Pope’s Exorcist follows Amorth as he investigates a young boy’s terrifying possession and ends up uncovering a centuries-old conspiracy the Vatican has desperately tried to keep hidden.

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Exorcism films are pretty established in popular culture; you kinda know what you’re gonna get. And while The Pope’s Exorcist treads some fairly familiar ground, it’s the way in which director Julius Avery brings all the elements together which makes for such a compelling and entertaining watch. 

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The Pope’s Exorcist, while it has horror elements throughout, plays more like a cop thriller than your traditional exorcist movie. Father Amorth takes the young local priest, Father Esquibel, under his wing as they follow a myriad of leads to discover what is really behind the young boy’s possession. 

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Also a lot of what makes The Pope’s Exorcist so entertaining is the fact that the film is centred around the character of Father Gabriele Amorth, who’s life and work this is loosely based on. In the creation of Amorth’s character we find a man who is both filled with faith but also doubt, who is rational but also a man of faith. He’s a complex, well crafted character and the film is so much more compelling because of that. 

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And this is also down to Crowe’s depiction of Father Amorth. He rides a Vespa, cloak blowing in the breeze, tells jokes while performing an exorcism, but is also serious about his job and calling. Crowe equally brings an ease and striking solidity to the role which makes his performance thoroughly engrossing. 

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While there are elements of The Pope’s Exorcist that are overly familiar, it’s in the execution of the story and in Crowe’s lead performance that makes it such an entertaining ride.