Common Sense Media Review
By Jeffrey M. Anderson
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Crowe saves bloody but routine demon possession movie.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 16+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
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The Pope's Exorcist
What's the Story?
In THE POPE'S EXORCIST, Father Gabriele Amorth (Russell Crowe) is shown to be a controversial figure in the church, using unlikely methods to treat people who don't actually need a real exorcist. But when widow Julia (Alex Essoe) and her two children -- teen Amy (Laurel Marsden) and younger brother Henry (Peter DeSouza-Feighoney) -- move in to a grand Spanish abbey that was left to them by Julia's late husband, real trouble is unleashed: A demon takes over Henry's body. Amorth is summoned, and, along with Spanish priest Father Esquibel (Daniel Zovatto), begins the exorcising rituals. But this demon is unexpectedly powerful, with the ability to see the sins and guilt of the priests and knock them off balance. They must find the secret of the old abbey -- and the name of the demon -- before it's too late.
Is It Any Good?
The demon possession elements all feel quite familiar, but this film gets a pass for Crowe's committed, not-too-serious performance. His Amorth is cool and in charge, but also sometimes charmingly goofy. Based on books by the real-life Amorth, Julius Avery's The Pope's Exorcist misses a chance to capture the "based on actual events" eeriness of The Conjuring, preferring generic horror movie ingredients instead. There are satanic voices emanating from children, crosses that turn upside down, people getting thrown across rooms, demonic writing on flesh, etc. (There is, however, a fascinating twist explaining the reason behind the Catholic Church's involvement in a certain period of history.)
Yet the A-list casting of Crowe makes this worth a look. Recapturing some of the same energy of his Captain Jack Aubrey in Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World, Crowe's Father Amorth is immensely likable and comfortable in his own skin. He emits cool while riding his moped in his flowing robes and black fedora. He even finds time to crack little jokes, including in the face of danger. While the wrap-up of The Pope's Exorcist may feel a little too rushed and a little too neat, it at least leaves open the possibility that we'll see Amorth again someday.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about The Pope's Exorcist's violence. How did it make you feel? Was it exciting? Shocking? What did the movie show or not show to achieve this effect? Why is that important?
Is the movie scary? What's the appeal of horror movies? Why do people sometimes like to be scared?
Do you consider Father Gabriele Amorth a role model? Why, or why not?
Given that Amorth is a real person, does that mean that demon possession is real too? Why do you think so?
What's the appeal of movies about demon possession? How is this one different from some of the others? How is it similar?
Movie Details
- In theaters : June 13, 2023
- On DVD or streaming : June 13, 2023
- Cast : Russell Crowe , Daniel Zovatto , Alex Essoe
- Director : Julius Avery
- Inclusion Information : Latino Movie Actor(s) , Female Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Sony Pictures Releasing
- Genre : Horror
- Topics : Fantasy
- Run time : 103 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : violent content, language, sexual references and some nudity
- Last updated : September 29, 2025
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