Hola What’s Hot Fam,
Grab your rosaries and blankies! ‘The Pope’s Exorcist’ is bringing all the satanic vibes. Plus, it’s inspired by the true story of Father Gabriele Amorth, Chief Exorcist of the Vatican.
With an R rating, the film takes place in Spain as Father Amorth investigates the frightening possession of a young boy named Henry. During his work, the Father “ends up uncovering a centuries-old conspiracy the Vatican has desperately tried to keep hidden.”
There is actually a real job called the Chief Exorcist in the Vatican. Father Gabriele Amorth was a real man who held that office for 36 years, and was involved in tens of thousands of exorcisms…He is determined to be open and upfront; he is not afraid of the failings of humanity. He accepts all of the foibles and quirks of people. That simple level of gut-based honesty helps him do his job.
– Russell Crowe (Father Gabriele Amorth)
‘The Pope’s Exorcist’ stars:
Russell Crowe (‘Gladiator’) as Father Gabriele Amorth
Daniel Zovatto (Don’t Breathe’) as Father Esquibel
Alex Essoe (‘The Haunting of Bly Manor’) as Julia
Franco Nero (‘John Wick: Chapter 2’) as The Pope
Peter De Souza-Feighoney (‘The Girl with the Metal Heart’) as Henry
Laurel Marsden (‘Ms. Marvel’) as Amy
Cornell John (‘Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald’) as Bishop Lumumba
Ryan O’Grady (‘Prizefighter’) as Cardinal Sullivan
Bianca Bardoe (‘Luther: The Fallen Sun’) as Rosaría
Santi Bayón (‘Blue Rai’) as Roberto Vasquez IV (Henry’s Dad)
Alessandro Gruttadauria (‘Notturno bus’) as Father Gianni
Based on Father Amorth’s stories, the producers reached out to screenwriter Michael Petroni to craft an original narrative. In the film, Father Amorth and his partner, Father Esquibel, investigate Henry’s possession at St. Sebastian Abbey in Castile, Spain, where the boy’s family is attempting to make a fresh start by renovating the old property. Producer Michael Patrick Kaczmarek applauds Petroni for going beyond the jump scares and digging deep to make this a “truly” horrifying script. The film explores the demon’s motive for attacking Henry’s family.
Although the story takes place is Spain, the film was actually shot in Ireland and Rome. As noted in the movie’s production packet, Director Julius Avery “specifically wanted a Northern European gothic [social environment]– grey, cold, and foreboding.”
It’s more than an exorcism; it’s a conspiracy. There’s something much bigger going on. The stakes are massive…We shot on location in Rome. We shot in Ireland. We found amazing, old architecture, where we built some of the biggest sets I’ve been involved in.”
– Director Julius Avery