The Pope’s Exorcist is the newest horror film in town. It stars Russel Crowe in the lead role. I had no idea the film existed until I saw a trailer for it when I went to watch John Wick Chapter Four. At first I thought this is B-grade Hollywood film which is being released with no hype. However, when I watched the trailer I was blown away. It had a touch of realism along with great horror elements. The trailer began like a case study but then all of a sudden they threw at us supernatural horror elements. The trailer was amazing and did an excellent job at building hype for the film. I was excited about the film ever since then. It became one of my most anticipated films of the year. Now that the film has released let’s find what the critics have to say. Does the film live up to its build-up?
The Pope’s Exorcist Reviews Round-Up: Not Worth the Hype?
Catherine Bray (Empire Magazine) – “It’s not just the demonic possession victims whose eyes will be rolling back in their skulls – none of this should work, really, and yet the film just about gets away with it, proving the Lord truly does move in mysterious ways.” Original Score: 3/5
Mike McCahill (Guardian) – “Crowe is by far the film’s strongest suit, pre-empting (some of) our gigglier responses and mitigating against (some of) the material’s flimsiness.” Original Score: 2/5
Fionnuala Halligan (Screen International) – “The fact that everyone involved thought this was a good idea… is somehow far more terrifying than anything onscreen.”
Hannah Strong (Little White Lies) – “I’ve had more fun at Sunday mass.” Original Score: 2/5
Tim Robey (Daily Telegraph [UK]) – “[Asmodeus is] not particularly scary at any point – the agents of Darkness are having an off-day, in that department. But the film sometimes finds an enjoyably silly sweet spot.” Original Score: 3/5
Guy Lodge (Variety) – “If this hysterical hackwork has any soul at all, Crowe just about saves it.”
Sandra Hall (Sydney Morning Herald) – “In the end, excess wins with horror overwhelmed by hokum.” Original Score: 3/5
Emiliano Basile (EscribiendoCine) – “… The film is highly entertaining and never takes itself too seriously. [Full review in Spanish]” Original Score: 6/10
Joel Harley (Starburst) – “The Pope’s Exorcist is never particularly scary or thrilling, but it does manage to coast by on star power, thanks to a generously bonkers performance from Crowe, hip flask, scooter, and all.” Original Score: 3/5
Tom Beasley (The Digital Fix) – “There’s nothing you haven’t seen before, but Avery puts it together with so much aplomb that you can’t help but have a good time.” Original Score: 3/5
Caffeinated Clint (Moviehole) – “Crowe will completely possess you. The Da Vinci Code meets The Exorcist”
Kshitij Rawat (Wion) – “Russell Crowe brings humour, gravitas in an otherwise mediocre horror film.”
Jim Schembri (jimschembri.com) – “Fun…Probably the most Catholic film you’ll see this year.” Original Score: 3/5
Andiee Paviour (Nobody’s Reading This But Me) – “Russell Crowe is fabulous as exorcist Father Gabriele Amorth in director Julius Avery’s lurid horror show.” Original Score: 3/5
Glenn Dunks (ScreenHub) – “Of all the stories… that Father Amorth wrote, it seems awfully convenient that this one follows so closely to that of a famous book and film from ten years earlier. Curious. Nobody mentions this, of course. That would be silly.”
Graeme Tuckett (Stuff.co.nz) – “The Pope’s Exorcist is a tediously competent mess.” Original Score: 2/5
The Pope’s Exorcist is currently playing in theatres near you .
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