The Pope’s Exorcist: The Origin of a Superhero Priest

He holds the position of Chief Exorcist at the Vatican, directly under the Pope himself. His mission takes him to Spain, where he's determined to rescue a family consisting of three orphans and a grieving widow, all of whom have fallen victim to demonic possession. While the synopsis of The Pope's Exorcist may initially evoke familiar tropes of traditional exorcism films, it would be a mistake to pigeonhole it as such. This movie transcends the conventions of a simple exorcism or horror flick. Instead, it unfolds more like a detective thriller or even a superhero saga. To put it simply, if you happen to find Russell Crowe quite dashing in the attire of a Catholic clergyman, then you're likely to be instantly captivated by this extraordinary cinematic experience.

Introduction to The Pope’s Exorcist

According to Catholic doctrine, two hundred fallen angels descended to the human world, transforming into demons and concealing themselves in places beyond God's gaze. Unfortunately, this fate befell Julia and her family, who had recently suffered the loss of their husband. They embarked on a journey across the ocean to Spain and took up residence in a monastery that had long been a part of their late husband's heritage. However, upon their arrival, Julia's youngest son, Henry, underwent a startling transformation. He began to inflict harm upon himself and uttered profane words. Despite exhausting various medical interventions with no success, the Vatican's Chief Exorcist, Father Amorth, intervened to confront the issue. In doing so, he uncovered a deeper malevolence haunting Henry, one that hinted at a grander conspiracy and possessed an unsettling familiarity with Amorth's own body. These revelations hinted at hidden sins and dark secrets from the past, potentially even posing a threat to the entire world.

No Ordinary Exorcism Movie: Crowe’s Portrayal of Father Amorth Leans More Towards a Rugged Superhero

The Pope's Exorcist stands out from the typical exorcism movie formula. In a conventional exorcism movie, one might expect innocent individuals to inadvertently fall victim to demonic possession, leading their families into a series of inexplicable events. These events might include household crosses mysteriously inverting, cupboards spontaneously opening, dishes soaring through the air, and even the unsettling spectacle of a young girl's head rotating 180 degrees while expelling various colored fluids. Then enters the priest, who, after reciting the Hail Mary countless times, eventually banishes the demon. Alternatively, the unfortunate priest may ultimately find himself locked in a deadly struggle with the devil. These familiar narratives have been recounted numerous times. However, The Pope's Exorcist deviates from this well-trodden path, offering a more resilient and formidable portrayal.

From the first frame featuring Father Amorth, portrayed by Russell Crowe, in The Pope's Exorcist, the film's intent becomes apparent. A stranger arrives in a small town under the shroud of darkness. Dressed in all-black attire with a matching hat that conceals his face, he walks into a room with a lowered head. As the camera swiftly zooms in, he gracefully removes his black hat, revealing the familiar visage of Russell Crowe. His chin raises, his eyes fixed forward, and a question looms: Who is this enigmatic figure? This is no ordinary opening for a traditional exorcism film. Such a deliberate and heroic introduction is more commonly associated with crime investigation movies featuring intrepid detectives (e.g. Lethal Weapon) or the grandeur of superhero films. The Pope's Exorcist indeed bears a resemblance to both of these cinematic genres.

The classic plot formula of a good guy becoming the target of a bad guy, followed by the bad guy torturing the good guy, and the eventual appearance of the hero who defeats the villain with great effort, holds universal appeal. In typical action movies, the emphasis is placed on the hero's "effort" in the final showdown, akin to the martial arts genre. Conversely, in horror movies, the focus shifts to the preceding "torture of the good guys." For instance, in A Nightmare on Elm Street, the primary focus lies on the torment inflicted upon the protagonists. Audiences are drawn to see how Freddy, the incubus, manipulates and ultimately dispatches each vulnerable victim. However, it's important to note that the film's title suggests it's an exorcism movie, which isn't entirely accurate. While you do witness young Henry, mother Julia, and eldest daughter Amy undergoing trials at the hands of demons, these sequences fall short of the movie's premise. The point to highlight is that these torture scenes are clichéd, lacking in gruesome or shocking impact, and fail to introduce anything innovative or even a jump scare.

The central focus of this film lies squarely on Russell Crowe's portrayal of Father Amorth, a real-life Vatican priest with three decades of exorcism practice. To enhance authenticity, the movie goes to great lengths to accurately depict Father Amorth while incorporating some adjustments. It takes particular care to capture the most endearing facets of Father Amorth's character, providing an ideal platform for Russell Crowe to shine. On-screen, Father Amorth is depicted as someone who delights in sharing jokes. He derives pleasure from making others laugh and employs humor as a tool to critique the rigid Catholic system. Clearly, he doesn't conform to the stereotypical image of a stern priest. Before commencing his duties, he seeks a private moment to indulge in a few sips of whiskey and doesn't shy away from making irreverent remarks in the company of senior bishops. However, this charismatic priest, often reminiscent of 'Tony Stark without women,' harbours an unspoken trauma, akin to Stark's own personal struggles. His adversaries seek to exploit this vulnerability as a weapon against him.

In The Pope’s Exorcist, it becomes evident that Amorth bears a striking resemblance to Tony Stark from Iron Man, shares similarities with Mel Gibson's character Riggs in Lethal Weapon, and exudes a flamboyant charm akin to Eddie Murphy in Beverly Hills Cop. He embodies the archetype of imperfect heroes found in classic police detective and superhero films, perpetually at odds with the establishment while unwaveringly prioritizing the case and the well-being of the victim. Amorth engages with adversaries in a cunning manner, taunting them and dispatching them without engaging in direct confrontations. Initially distant from his partners, his relationships evolve into steadfast bonds, marked by shared experiences of life and death. In this film, Father Amorth's quest to ascertain the devil's name for exorcism takes center stage. Nevertheless, while the ultimate revelation awaits, the film predominantly dedicates the time to crafting a compelling portrayal of Father Amorth rather than solely focusing on frightening the audience.

The Pope's Exorcist serves as an origin story for Father Amorth, delving into his early life and experiences. It provides a comprehensive exploration of the Vatican's exorcism department, including its historical inception, overarching mission, and current challenges. Additionally, the film intricately examines Father Amorth's interpersonal dynamics within the organization, akin to the introductory briefings often seen in Avengers and S.H.I.E.L.D. narratives. Furthermore, the movie dedicates considerable attention to elucidating Father Amorth's character. It portrays his penchant for humor, his unique choice of transportation in the form of a Vespa, conspicuously smaller than his stature, and his unwavering habit of taking the lead with his holy badge in hand. The film delves into his signature techniques, his personal philosophy on exorcism, his discernment between genuine cases of possession and those afflicted by mental disorders, and his steadfast convictions. Through this cinematic experience, audiences gain insight into Father Amorth's persona, akin to a modern-day Templar superhero.

The decision to cast Liam Neeson for action scenes in Taken was not primarily based on his previous experience as a boxer, although it certainly contributed to his physical abilities for the role. The crucial factor was Neeson's ability to convincingly deliver the lines to the camera.

“I will find you and I will kill you”.

Indeed, the intensity and determination exhibited by actors like Liam Neeson go beyond what ordinary individuals can typically summon. Bob Odenkirk, known for his portrayals of less triumphant characters, effortlessly steps into the role of a middle-aged underachiever in Nobody. As for Russell Crowe potentially taking on the role of an exorcist, it's worth noting that he possesses the qualities required. Despite not relying on martial arts prowess like krav maga, the essence of the character lies in an indomitable spirit, which Crowe exudes with his commanding presence, resonant voice, and a sudden shift to a playful and mischievous demeanor. The exorcist's method relies on sheer vigour, and Russell Crowe undeniably possesses an abundance of it.

In conclusion, The Pope's Exorcist unfolds the origin story of Father Amorth, depicting him as an imperfect hero wielding extraordinary power.

Audiences who anticipate being terrified to the core by The Pope's Exorcist may find themselves disappointed. Conversely, those who appreciate charismatic yet flawed heroic characters, as well as those who relish detective adventures with elusive culprits, are likely to find the film captivating. In this movie, Russell Crowe takes on a commanding role, portraying a seemingly cynical individual who marches to his own beat within the solemn Vatican. He unearths a long-buried and dark history, relentlessly pursuing and exposing a scandal, leading to a face-off with the devil, resulting in a gripping showdown. While Crowe's performance in this film may not be Oscar-worthy, it harkens back to his memorable roles in movies such as 3:10 to Yuma and Body of Lies. It's safe to say that The Pope's Exorcist serves as Crowe's equivalent of Taken, breathing new life into his career and, rejuvenating it by at least a decade.

The Pope’s Exorcist not only introduces the audience to the origin of Father Amorth, but it will also be the origin of a series of movies - which makes this movie more like a superhero movie. Judging from the performance of The Pope’s Exorcist, it does have the potential to be loved by audiences, based on Russell Crowe's sharp performance (as Unhinged 2 years ago has proven), and based on the demons in the world that will never be cleared away, and more importantly, just like when Taken was released in 2008, no one thought that older actors could play exorcist detectives or play the heroes of series movies without constantly practicing. The Pope’s Exorcist has just ventured into a new and relatively uncompetitive market.