Is The Pope’s Exorcist Worth Watching? Reviews & Where To Stream

The Pope’s Exorcist reviews have a lot to say about Russell Crowe’s devil-fighting priest. Premiering in 2023 from director Julius Avery, The Pope’s Exorcist follows Father Gabriele Amorth (Crowe), the Pope’s personal exorcist. A cavalier and insubordinate priest, Amorth is a talented exorcist, but he’s constantly fighting the Catholic Church’s bureaucracy and censorship. When Amorth is asked to come help a young boy who may be possessed, he uncovers a horrible secret. Franco Nero, Daniel Zovatto, and Alex Essoe also star in the film based on the real-life Father Gabriele Amorth.

Scary, funny, violent, and probing, The Pope’s Exorcist tells a familiar story with some added flare, not least because of Crowe’s fantastic performance at the center. The Spanish Inquisition plays a big part in The Pope’s Exorcist and historical themes are used to make the story feel more like a real-life event. Reviewers are divided on how well the scares, humor, and story work together, but fortunately, there are plenty of ways to watch the film, so if viewers do decide to check it out, it won’t be hard to find.

Everything You Need To Know About The Pope’s Exorcist

Father Amorth meets a host of interesting characters in The Pope’s Exorcist, as he travels to an old Spanish abbey where an American mother, Julia Vasquez (Essoe), her daughter Amy (Laurel Marsden), and her son Henry (Peter DeSouza-Feighoney) are trying to rehabilitate the building. They inadvertently release an ancient demon named Asmodeus who possesses Peter. Over the course of the exorcism, Amorth’s own failings are put on display, and the brutal history of the Catholic Church is reckoned with. The film premiered in the US on April 14, 2023, and earned $77 million worldwide (via Box Office Mojo).

Why You Should Watch The Pope’s Exorcist

Despite the generic religious story and mediocre scares, The Pope’s Exorcist is worth watching for Crowe’s performance alone. Jocular, oddball, witty, and dangerously intelligent, Father Amorth is one of the coolest priests in movies. The Pope’s Exorcist is smart in keeping him in the center frame for most of the film, as every scene Crowe is in is elevated by his acting. Riding around on a tiny Vespa, Amorth is fascinatingly hip in the best way. When the film grows serious, Crowe is more than capable of using his imposing build and powerful delivery to match the intensity of the story.

What The Critics Thought Of The Pope’s Exorcist

The Pope’s Exorcist has a 49% on Rotten Tomatoes, making for an even split between critics who liked and disliked the film. Those who didn’t think much of the movie pointed to the choppy dialogue and basic plotting as its main failures, with one reviewer from Vulture saying, “It tries to make up for its lack of mood and suspense with busy intercutting and an overreaching plot that promises much but delivers little.”

However, nearly every review praises Crowe’s performance, with many suggesting that it alone makes the film worth seeing. A review from The Austin Chronicle says, “…it is delightful to see the Oscar-winner chew through the scenery as he did in the earliest days of his acting career.” Crowe clearly enjoyed playing Amorth and that alone has won over many critics.

Where To Watch The Pope’s Exorcist

For those wanting to watch The Pope’s Exorcist, it is available to stream on Netflix. For those not subscribed to the service, there are plenty of options to rent or buy the film. As a newer movie, the purchase price is expensive, but renting is still an affordable alternative. Here’s an official breakdown for those looking to rent or buy The Pope’s Exorcist:

• Apple TV – $5.99 rental (4K); $19.99 purchase (4K)
• Amazon Prime Video – $3.99 rental (4K); $19.99 purchase (4K)
• Microsoft Store – $3.99 rental (4K); $19.99 purchase (4K)
• Google Play – $3.99 rental (4K); $19.99 purchase (4K)
• YouTube – $3.99 rental; $19.99 purchase (4K)
• VUDU – $3.99 rental (4K); $19.99 purchase (4K)
• DirecTV – $5.99 rental (4K); $19.99 purchase (4K)
• Spectrum – $3.99 rental (HD)
• AMC Theatres On Demand – $24.99 purchase (HD)

Watch on Netflix