The Pope’s Exorcist – Film Review

Father Gabriele Amorth, chief exorcist for the Vatican, battles Satan and innocent-possessing demons. A detailed portrait of a priest who performed more than 100,000 exorcisms in his lifetime.

The Pope’s Exorcist, directed by Julius Avery, attempts to ride the wave of supernatural horror movies but fails to deliver a compelling and original experience. With a predictable plot, lackluster characters, and uninspired scares, this film falls short of its potential, leaving audiences underwhelmed and disengaged.

One of the biggest letdowns of The Pope’s Exorcist is its formulaic and predictable storyline. The narrative follows a tried-and-tested formula of a possessed individual seeking help from a seasoned exorcist, who then battles with demonic forces to save the victim’s soul. There are no surprises or clever twists to be found here. Every plot point feels like a recycled cliché from countless other exorcism movies, making the viewing experience utterly predictable and devoid of suspense.

In addition to the tired plot, the characters in The Pope’s Exorcist lack depth and fail to evoke any genuine emotion from the audience. The protagonist, the seasoned exorcist, is a one-dimensional stereotype who exhibits no significant growth or development throughout the film. His motivations and inner struggles are never explored, leaving us disconnected from his journey. The supporting cast fares no better, with forgettable performances and poorly written dialogue that fail to generate any empathy or investment in their fates.

Furthermore, the scares in The Pope’s Exorcist are disappointingly unoriginal and ineffective. The film relies heavily on cheap jump scares and loud sound effects to elicit fear, rather than building genuine tension or crafting atmospheric dread. Any potential for psychological horror or thought-provoking exploration of religious themes is squandered in favor of generic visual effects and overused tropes. It feels as if the director simply went through a checklist of horror movie clichés and checked them off without any real innovation or creativity.

The cinematography and overall visual presentation of the film, however, are quite fantastic to be completely honest. The dark and gloomy aesthetic often make the film stand out from other horror movies in recent memory, adding visual flair and memorable set pieces.

Another glaring issue here, however, is the pacing of The Pope’s Exorcist. The film suffers from a lack of momentum, with prolonged periods of slow and uneventful scenes that do little to advance the story or build suspense. These lulls only serve to exacerbate the viewers’ sense of detachment and boredom, making the film feel much longer than its actual runtime.

In conclusion, The Pope’s Exorcist is a disappointing addition to the horror genre. With its predictable plot, underdeveloped characters, and uninspired scares, the film fails to leave a lasting impression. While it may appeal to die-hard fans of exorcism movies who simply crave more of the same, it offers nothing new or exciting for audiences seeking a fresh and engaging horror experience.