Russell Crowe stars as Father Gabriele Amorth, the Vatican's chief exorcist, in Julius Avery's papal potboiler The Pope's Exorcist, airing on Film4. The film draws from the writings of the real-life Father Amorth, who served as the Vatican's demonslayer-in-chief from 1986 to 2016. Crowe's performance, alternating gruff Italian and Italianate English, is the film's strongest asset, lending levity to a devilishly tricky day job and hinting at a potential late-career franchise.
The plot sees Amorth pulled away from Vatican politicking to attend a gloomy San Sebastián abbey being renovated by single mother Julia (Alex Essoe). Her son Henry (Peter DeSouza-Feighoney) is possessed by a demon that scratches 'GOD IS NOT HERE' on his chest. Amorth proves a worthy opponent, with the demon bellowing 'Wrong fucking priest!' at a local cleric, played by Daniel Zovatto. The film has been described as The Exorcist redone as a TikTok video.
Despite the presence of Franco Nero as a non-specific pope, the film lacks theological seriousness. Dim lighting partially obscures secondhand possession-movie imagery, but director Avery keeps the pace brisk, elevating it above sluggish entries in The Conjuring franchise. Racing towards a splattery finale, the film qualifies as lively schlock, featuring Crowe in flowing robes piloting a Vespa to Faith No More.
