“Yes, sometimes you have to give them candy.”
Father McNeely -Scary Movie 2
Exorcism films are not my favorite subgenre of horror. I either find them over the top or too realistic. It may seem silly to some, but I believe possession is a real phenomenon. But isn’t that sort of the purpose of horror? I watch horror films to be scared. So, it’s serving its purpose. Fortunately for me, The Pope’s Exorcist isn’t realistic or remotely scary. That doesn’t mean it’s bad.
Russell Crow stars as Father Gabriele Amorth. He’s the Chief Exorcist of the Vatican. A young boy is possessed, and the demon calls for the man, the myth, the legend Father Amorth. Crowe’s performance is so good. He’s not only chewing up scenes left and right, but you yearn for his return every moment he’s not on screen. It’s not that the other actors are bad, but his presence is magnetic.
Director Julius Avery has an undeniable eye for action. His previous films are a testament to that, but this isn’t an action film. Or at least it shouldn’t be. The horror direction is a problem. The pace of scares is often rushed, and the setup never makes the payoff worth it. The editing is a huge problem, and tone is everywhere. Avery seems to struggle with letting his actors immerse themselves in the moment. Characters are shuffled along without a hint of development. The film is solely focused on Crowe.
Crowe’s character is fun, but that’s part of the problem. He’s cocky, cheerful, and very persistent. He rides a scooter like he’s George Hanson or The Terminator. Those traits, again, are great for a badass action star, but in a horror film, that isn’t necessarily what I’m looking for. Crowe’s character even quips at one point that demons hate humor. It’s not that the humor isn’t welcome; it’s that it’s often misplaced. The humor falls flat when it’s interjected during important character moments.
Ultimately, what sinks The Pope’s Exorcist is that it’s more worried about setting up future sequels than making any internal logic work. An underlying conspiracy (gasp, the Catholic Church embroiled in a conspiracy?) engulfs the film’s narrative. I found the conspiracy and the reveal absolutely atrocious. I have no doubt Russell Crowe will be back as Father Griele Amorth, and you know what… I’ll watch it.
Rating: 5.5/10
