The Pope’s Exorcist
In 2023, a supernatural horror movie titled The Pope’s Exorcist was brought to life under the direction of Julius Avery. The screenplay, crafted by Michael Petroni and Evan Spiliotopoulos, drew inspiration from the 1990 book “An Exorcist Tells His Story” and the 1992 book “An Exorcist: More Stories” authored by Father Gabriele Amorth. Russell Crowe took on the lead role of Amorth, supported by Daniel Zovatto, Alex Essoe, and Franco Nero in pivotal roles.
The film’s production commenced in 2020 after Screen Gems secured the rights to Father Amorth’s narrative. Following a change in the director’s chair and script refinements, principal photography unfolded in Ireland spanning from August to October 2022.
The Pope’s Exorcist made its debut in various international markets, starting on April 5, 2023, and reached audiences in the United States on April 14. While the movie elicited a mixed response from reviewers, it managed to amass a global box office revenue of $76 million.
‘The Pope’s Exorcist’ Ending Explained
In the climactic sequence of The Pope’s Exorcist, the narrative reaches a spine-chilling crescendo as the characters’ struggles against the malevolent forces culminate in a confrontation of epic proportions. Amorth (portrayed by Russell Crowe) and Father Esquibel (played by Daniel Zovatto) unravel the sinister truth behind the possession of young Henry (depicted by Peter DeSouza-Feighoney) – the insidious presence of Asmodeus, the dreaded king of hell himself.
This revelation sheds light on the demon’s ominous intentions – to commandeer an exorcist’s body in order to unleash an onslaught of demonic entities, thereby wreaking havoc upon the Church.
The tension escalates as the exorcism of Henry unfolds, with Amorth taking a daring and harrowing step. In a stunning twist aligned with the demon’s dark strategy, Amorth willingly offers himself as a vessel for Asmodeus, hoping to thwart the demon’s grand design from within.
However, as Amorth succumbs to the demon’s possession, his efforts to regain control and halt the impending catastrophe take a tragic and heart-wrenching turn. Desperate to halt the sinister plan, Amorth attempts to end his own life, only to find himself ensnared by the malevolent entity’s overpowering influence.
In the face of this dire situation, Father Esquibel steps forward as a beacon of hope and determination. With unwavering faith and resolute prayers, he aids Amorth in breaking free from the suffocating grip of Asmodeus. Their joint struggle against the demon’s dominion is visually rendered as they battle not only the immediate possession but also the haunting apparitions of women they had been unable to save in the past – a haunting reminder of the unrelenting stakes they face.
Amidst the tumultuous exorcism, the tenacity and strength of Amorth and Esquibel shine through as they manage to expel the malevolent force from Henry, sparing his life. The triumphant survivors, marked by their ordeal, return to the Vatican bearing the weight of their extraordinary accomplishment. Their efforts do not go unnoticed, as they are personally commended by the Pope for their valiant service to the Church.
As the dust settles and a semblance of normalcy is restored, a tantalizing prospect unfolds. The discovery of a friar’s diary hidden beneath the abbey’s depths reveals a map of ominous locations – dormant demonic sites that Asmodeus had intended to reawaken. This revelation not only hints at the lingering threat but also tantalizingly sets the stage for a potential continuation of the chilling tale.
The film concludes with a potent closing line, uttered by Amorth to Esquibel, that encapsulates the gravity of their mission and the possibility of an impending sequel: “Let’s go to hell.” This enigmatic phrase leaves audiences with a sense of anticipation, wondering what new horrors and challenges await these steadfast heroes in the uncharted realms of darkness.
TRENDING
The Pope’s Exorcist Cast
Actor |
Character |
|
Russell Crowe |
Father Gabriele Amorth |
|
Daniel Zovatto |
Father Esquibel |
|
Alex Essoe |
Julia |
|
Franco Nero |
The Pope |
|
Peter DeSouza-Feighoney |
Henry |
|
Laurel Marsden |
Amy |
|
Cornell John |
Bishop Lumumba |
|
Ryan O’Grady |
Cardinal Sullivan |
|
Ralph Ineson |
Voice of Asmodeus |
The Pope’s Exorcist Plot
In 1987, Father Gabriele Amorth, the personal exorcist of the Pope, a down-to-earth, scooter-riding, witty, pragmatic individual, journeys to an Italian village where a man appears to be under the influence of a demon. Accompanied by the local priest, Amorth enters the room where the man is restrained. Employing a Saint Benedict Medal sacramental during the exorcism, Amorth boldly challenges the demon, daring it to possess a pig; when the demon obliges, the pig meets its end through a shotgun blast.
This incident brings about complications for Amorth, as he acted without authorization from his superiors, leading to scrutiny from a Church tribunal. Among the tribunal members, one is Bishop Lumumba, an affable figure from Africa, while another is the skeptical and harsh American Cardinal Sullivan, doubtful of the existence of demonic possession.
Amorth defends his actions, asserting the presence of evil and explaining that his actions were more of psychological theater aimed at aiding a mentally distressed individual. Frustrated by the proceedings, Amorth storms out of the tribunal.
The Pope assigns Amorth the task of visiting a young boy named Henry, who is believed to be possessed, in Spain. Henry, along with his mother Julia and rebellious teenage sister Amy, traveled from America to claim ownership of a mysterious old Spanish abbey, the sole inheritance from Julia’s late husband after a car accident that also involved Henry.
Traumatized by the accident, Henry has remained mute since. Following a sinister fire and the departure of workers restoring the abbey, eerie events begin to unfold. Henry’s behavior becomes increasingly bizarre, and although medical tests show no abnormalities, inexplicable supernatural occurrences manifest.
As Henry’s possession intensifies, he seeks the presence of a priest. Father Tomas Esquibel, a local clergyman, responds, only to be met with Henry’s vulgar scorn. Amorth arrives and enlists Esquibel’s assistance, despite his lack of formal exorcism training.
While Esquibel is familiar with Amorth’s reputation, he is unfamiliar with Amorth’s written works, which Amorth believes to be valuable resources. Amidst the endeavor, Amorth emphasizes the significance of prayer, even as Esquibel stumbles in his role as an assistant exorcist, including an incident where he momentarily chokes Henry due to the young man’s provocation and mockery.
Together, Amorth and Esquibel attempt to exorcise Henry, but their efforts yield no success, as Henry spews blasphemous utterances during the ritual. At times, the demon within Henry also possesses Amy. Amorth discovers that Julia’s faith has dwindled since her childhood. Nevertheless, he encourages her to rekindle her faith through prayer, particularly as she recalls her belief in a guardian angel from her youth.
In Rome, the Pope’s health deteriorates as he studies documents related to the Spanish case, leading to his hospitalization. Amorth uncovers a well on the abbey grounds that conceals an underground complex deemed demonically hazardous by the Church.
He learns that a historical figure linked to the Spanish Inquisition, previously an exorcist, was possessed, granting him the ability to infiltrate the Church and perpetrate malevolent acts. Amorth unearths the Church’s concealment of this information and ultimately unveils the name of Henry’s demon, Asmodeus, a revelation crucial for the impending exorcism.
Amorth and Esquibel engage in the sacrament of Confession and Absolution, mutually confessing and pardoning each other for their transgressions: Amorth’s failure to assist a mentally ill woman who eventually took her own life due to his pride, and Esquibel’s involvement with a young woman without subsequent marriage. Strengthened by their absolution, the two clergymen prepare themselves for the arduous task ahead.
Amorth guides Esquibel to wear a Miraculous Medal necklace. During the intense exorcism, they are haunted by distressing visions of the women they were unable to save. The turning point arrives when Amorth selflessly offers himself to be possessed by Asmodeus, aligning with the demon’s goal to destroy Amorth.
Amorth’s attempt to end his own life is thwarted by the demon, which prefers Amorth to infiltrate and dismantle the Church. Nevertheless, with Esquibel’s unwavering support, Amorth succeeds in driving away the demon, along with the apparitions resembling the troubled women. As the Pope’s health rebounds, so does Henry’s condition.
Triumphant in their mission, Amorth and Esquibel return to Rome, only to discover that Cardinal Sullivan has departed for Guam, replaced by Bishop Lumumba. The two priests gain access to a special Church archive, where Lumumba reveals a plan to visit 199 other sites afflicted by evil, aided by a map unearthed by Amorth at the abbey. Their mission: to combat the forces of darkness. With a touch of humor, Amorth quips that he and Esquibel are embarking on a journey that might lead them to Hell.
Where to WatchThe Pope’s Exorcist?
The Pope’s Exorcist is a riveting supernatural horror film available to stream on Netflix. Directed by Julius Avery and starring Russell Crowe as Father Gabriele Amorth, the Pope’s personal exorcist, the movie delves into a gripping tale of demonic possession and faith.
When Amorth encounters a possessed boy named Henry, he teams up with the local priest, Father Esquibel (Daniel Zovatto), to confront the sinister forces at play. As they battle the malevolent entity and confront their own inner demons, the film weaves a captivating narrative of exorcism, faith, and sacrifice. Prepare for a chilling and thought-provoking cinematic experience on Netflix.
The Pope’s Exorcist Release Date
The Pope’s Exorcist, a gripping supernatural horror film, made its Indian debut on April 7, 2023. Subsequently, it reached American audiences on April 14, 2023, distributed by Sony Pictures Releasing. The movie’s digital release occurred on May 2, with Blu-ray and DVD versions hitting shelves on June 13. For those seeking a chilling experience, the film will be available for streaming on Netflix starting August 16, 2023.
This captivating narrative follows Father Gabriele Amorth (Russell Crowe) and his collaborator Father Esquibel (Daniel Zovatto) as they confront malevolent forces, weaving a tale of exorcism, faith, and sacrifice that promises an unforgettable cinematic journey.
The Pope’s Exorcist Review
In his initial review of “The Exorcist” in 1973, Roger Ebert highlighted the fitting choice of casting the accomplished character actor Max von Sydow as the older priest grappling with malevolence. Ebert likened von Sydow’s presence to John Wayne’s fitting embodiment of a cowboy on a theological battleground.
In The Pope’s Exorcist, this confluence is realized with Russell Crowe stepping into the shoes of Father Gabriele Amorth – a theologian, author, journalist, and the Pope’s designated exorcist. Amorth’s character exudes wit, toughness, and a hint of irreverence as he takes on his missions akin to a gunslinger.
Amorth’s tools are exorcism implements such as crucifixes and holy water, carried in a case reminiscent of a saddlebag. His scooter serves as his steed, a red-and-white testament to his character’s unique personality.
The film, directed by Julius Avery and loosely inspired by a true priest’s tale featured in a documentary by “Exorcist” director William Friedkin, transports Amorth to a dilapidated Spanish abbey. Here, the seasoned priest grapples with demonic forces to save a possessed boy.
Presented as a horror film, the movie is more action-packed than spine-tingling. It’s a theological action flick intertwined with a classic Western, pairing an aging gunslinger, Amorth, with his less-experienced but earnest counterpart, Father Esquibel (Daniel Zovatto), to confront monstrous adversaries and protect the vulnerable.
Crowe’s portrayal of Amorth is a highlight of the film. The character mirrors the archetype of a rugged gunslinger from 1960s Westerns, a character well-played by stalwarts like Kirk Douglas and Burt Lancaster. Amorth challenges societal contradictions, yet remains its defender, marked by a blend of experience and incredulity.
The narrative follows Amorth to a remote Spanish abbey, embroiled in a mission to expel a demon from a young boy named Henry (Peter DeSouza-Feighoney). Assisting him is Father Esquibel, though untrained in exorcism.
Together, they grapple with supernatural manifestations, combing theological depth with thrilling action sequences. As the movie draws to a close, it ventures into conspiracy territories reminiscent of Dan Brown’s narratives, critiquing church scandals. The resolution, however, is complex and quirky, attempting to absolve the Church of past wrongs with a convoluted premise.
While The Pope’s Exorcist boasts Crowe’s compelling performance and moments of cinematic pleasure, it occasionally meanders into familiar exorcism tropes. It’s an entertaining watch, though its potential is not fully realized due to narrative inconsistencies. Crowe shines, navigating the dichotomy of Amorth’s humor and insecurities with aplomb. This veteran actor transforms Amorth into an endearing character, and his spirited portrayal adds depth to an otherwise uneven narrative.
The Pope’s Exorcist Trailer
https://www.youtube.com/embed/YJXqvnT_rsk
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