The Pope's Exorcist is a supernatural horror film directed by Julius Avery, with Russell Crowe playing the role of Father Gabriele Amorth, the Vatican's chief exorcist.
The movie is based on the real-life accounts of Gabriele Amorth, who claimed to have performed exorcisms during his tenure.
The story revolves around an American family who moves to a crumbling abbey in Spain, where the son, Henry, becomes possessed by a powerful demon that demands the presence of Amorth.
The film follows Amorth as he investigates the possession of the boy and uncovers a sinister truth that the Vatican has kept hidden for centuries.
While the movie has all the ingredients of a classic horror film, it falls short of expectations and is a run-of-the-mill exorcism flick with nothing new to offer.
The characters, except for Amorth, are thinly sketched with little depth or nuance, making it hard to empathise with their plight or care about their fates.
Russell Crowe's performance as Father Gabriele Amorth is the shining beacon of excellence amidst the mediocrity of the film, bringing gravitas, intensity, and casual good humour to the role.