2023 is shaping up quite well in terms of horror cinema. From unexpected low-cost surprises that nobody anticipated would succeed, to major hits like the latest installment of Insidious, new releases continue to follow one another, not lagging behind other major feature films that are hitting the screens. But the movie that has frightened us the most (and been appreciated) this year emerged in the spring: The Pope’s Exorcist.
Starring Russell Crowe, the movie tells the story of Gabriele Amorth, the head of Vatican exorcists, who uncovers an internal conspiracy dating back centuries within the church itself. Simultaneously, he investigates the terrifying possession of a young child from the area, leading him to confront demons with his own hands – both human and supernatural.
The film was a box office hit, and all signs point to a potential sequel in the near future, as it’s crafted in a way that seems tailor-made for a franchise. But if you missed the chance to see it on the big screen, now is the perfect time, as it has just premiered on HBO Max as part of the regular subscription.
Russell Crowe on a scooter fighting demons
As is often the case with horror films, a genre that critics tend to have a bit of a bias against, The Pope’s Exorcist didn’t fare well on Rotten Tomatoes, earning a 49% approval rate from critics. However, as is wise with these cases, the audience ultimately proved discerning, granting the movie an 81% approval rating on the same platform.
The film boasts a genuine dose of horror: jump scares, a suffocating atmosphere, a thriller-like plot gradually unfolding, and intriguing plot twists that keep you glued to the screen. Moreover, it incorporates many other ingredients not commonly found in the genre, all of which work perfectly.
One of these ingredients is humor. While it may not be a laugh-out-loud comedy, the film features moments that are amusing enough for you to enjoy it from a different perspective. The most viral of these moments is the image of Russell Crowe dressed as a priest and riding a Vespa through the streets of Italy. Undoubtedly, it’s one of the standout cinematic images of the year.
“Few horror movies have benefited so much from the presence of such a genuine and natural star,” says the Inverse review about Crowe’s role. Indeed, while many Hollywood stars have dabbled in the genre from time to time, few have done it quite like Crowe, with a charisma reminiscent of Eduard Fernández in “30 Coins,” but from a much more Hollywood perspective.
Beyond its doses of terror, the film also went viral at its time for the perspective it offers on the church. While it doesn’t dare to be as critical as other movies like “Angels & Demons” or “The Da Vinci Code,” it manages to sufficiently dismantle the ecclesiastical organization while revealing the workings of the Vatican’s secret structure, something that truly exists… albeit in a different form.
In essence, the blend of horror, drama, humor, and action (which it also contains) makes “The Pope’s Exorcist” one of the finest genre exercises of the year. Now that it’s available on HBO Max, it’s the perfect opportunity for those who haven’t had the chance to experience it to give it a watch.
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