Father Gabriele Amorth, the fact-based character played by Russell Crowe in The Pope’s Exorcist, was a co-founder, along with five other like-minded priests, of the International Association of Exorcists. Amorth, who passed in 2016 at age 91, claimed to have performed “tens of thousands” of exorcisms over the decades.
Imagine — “tens of thousands” of Puzuzu demons inhabiting the souls and bodies of humans young and old, and the vast majority almost certainly inspired by the imaginings of William Peter Blatty and the directing chops of William Friedkin. And Amorth casting out…what, 15,000 or 20,000 unclean spirits?
Directed hy Julius Avery, The Pope’s Exorcist (Sony, 4.14) is by all appearances an exploitation film. Once you’ve seen the trailer what would be the point of watching the full-length version? I’m asking.