View source for The Pope's Exorcist


{{Use American English|date=June 2024}}

{{Infobox film
| image              = ThePopesExorcistPoster.png
| caption            = Theatrical release poster
| alt                =
| director           = [[Julius Avery]]
| screenplay         ={{plainlist|
* [[Michael Petroni]]
* [[Evan Spiliotopoulos]]
}}
| story               = {{plainlist|
* R. Dean McCreary
* Chester Hastings
* [[Jeff Katz]]
}}
| based_on           = {{Based on|''An Exorcist Tells His Story'' and ''An Exorcist: More Stories''|[[Father Gabriele Amorth]]}}
| producer           = {{plainlist|
* [[Doug Belgrad]]
* Michael Patrick Kaczmarek
* Jeff Katz
}}
| starring           = {{plainlist|
* [[Russell Crowe]]
* [[Daniel Zovatto]]
* [[Alex Essoe]]
* [[Franco Nero]] 
}}
| cinematography     = Khalid Mohtaseb
| editing            = Matt Evans
| music              = [[Jed Kurzel]]
| studio             = {{plainlist|
* [[Screen Gems]]
* 2.0 Entertainment
* Loyola Productions
}}
| distributor        = [[Sony Pictures Releasing]]
| released           = {{Film date|2023|4|5|International|2023|4|14|United States}}
| runtime            = 103 minutes<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbfc.co.uk/release/the-popes-exorcist-q29sbgvjdglvbjpwwc0xmdexndex |title=''The Pope's Exorcist'' (15) |website=[[British Board of Film Classification]] |access-date=March 24, 2023 |archive-date=March 24, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230324082121/https://www.bbfc.co.uk/release/the-popes-exorcist-q29sbgvjdglvbjpwwc0xmdexndex |url-status=live }}</ref>
| country            = {{Plainlist|
* United States
* United Kingdom
* Spain<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lodge |first=Guy |date=2023-04-07 |title=''The Pope's Exorcist'' Review: The Power of Christ (and Russell Crowe) Mostly Compels You in Yet Another Possession Chiller |url=https://variety.com/2023/film/reviews/the-popes-exorcist-review-russell-crowe-1235576547/ |access-date=2023-08-11 |website=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |archive-date=August 11, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230811202915/https://variety.com/2023/film/reviews/the-popes-exorcist-review-russell-crowe-1235576547/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
}}
| language           = English
| budget             = $18 million<ref name=VarietyBudget/>
| gross              = $77 million<ref name="NUM">{{Cite web |title=The Pope's Exorcist (2023) |url=https://www.the-numbers.com/movie/Popes-Exorcist-The-(2023) |access-date=June 30, 2023 |website=[[The Numbers (website)|The Numbers]] |archive-date=November 26, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221126021529/https://www.the-numbers.com/movie/Popes-Exorcist-The-(2023) |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="BOM">{{Cite web |title=The Pope's Exorcist (2023) |url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/release/rl1187939073/?ref_=bo_da_table_2 |access-date=June 30, 2023 |website=[[Box Office Mojo]] |archive-date=April 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230416015857/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/release/rl1187939073/?ref_=bo_da_table_2 |url-status=live }}</ref>
}}

'''''The Pope's Exorcist''''' is a 2023 [[supernatural horror film]] directed by [[Julius Avery]] from a screenplay by [[Michael Petroni]] and [[Evan Spiliotopoulos]], based on the 1990 book ''An Exorcist Tells His Story'' and the 1992 book ''An Exorcist: More Stories'' by [[Father Gabriele Amorth]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://directories.wga.org/project/1234375/the-popes-exorcist/|title=''The Pope's Exorcist''|date=March 24, 2023|website=Writers Guild of America East Directory|accessdate=April 11, 2023|archive-date=April 11, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230411131116/https://directories.wga.org/project/1234375/the-popes-exorcist/|url-status=live}}</ref> The film stars [[Russell Crowe]] as Amorth, with [[Daniel Zovatto]], [[Alex Essoe]], and [[Franco Nero]] in supporting roles.

Production began in 2020 when [[Screen Gems]] purchased the rights to Amorth's story. After a directorial replacement and script revisions, filming occurred in Ireland from August to October 2022.

''The Pope's Exorcist'' was released in several  countries beginning on April 5, 2023, and in the United States on April 14.<ref name="Glatz2023">{{cite web |last1=Glatz |first1=Carol |title=Jesuit priest Father Edward Siebert helps produce horror film 'The Pope's Exorcist' |url=https://thedialog.org/vatican-news/jesuit-priest-father-edward-siebert-helps-produce-horror-film-the-popes-exorcist/ |publisher=The Dialog |access-date=17 April 2023 |language=en |date=14 April 2023 |archive-date=April 17, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230417140928/https://thedialog.org/vatican-news/jesuit-priest-father-edward-siebert-helps-produce-horror-film-the-popes-exorcist/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The film received mixed reviews from critics and grossed $77 million worldwide.

== Plot ==
In 1987, [[Priesthood in the Catholic Church|Father]] Gabriele Amorth, a [[World War II]] [[Italian partisan]] and the [[Pope]]'s personal [[exorcist]], an earthy, scooter-riding, humorous, practical man, visits an Italian village where a teenage boy, Enzo, is seemingly [[demonic possession|possessed]] by a [[Christian demonology|demon]]. With the local priest, Amorth enters the room where Enzo is tied up. While [[Exorcism in the Catholic Church|exorcising]] him, using a [[Saint Benedict Medal]] sacramental, Amorth taunts the demon, challenging it to possess a pig; when it does, the pig is killed with a shotgun.

This incident gets Amorth in trouble with a [[Catholic Church|Church]] tribunal headed by Cardinal Sullivan, who doubts the existence of the [[Devil]], and including Amorth's friend Bishop Lumumba. Amorth replies that evil does exist, yet he did not perform an actual exorcism but rather, some psychological theatrics to help the [[Mental disorder|mentally ill]] man. Disgusted by Sullivan's lack of faith, Amorth leaves the tribunal.

In Spain, Julia Vasquez, her young son Henry, and his teenage sister Amy have traveled from the United States to visit an old Spanish [[abbey]], Julia's husband's sole legacy to his family after he died in a car accident at which Henry was present. The traumatized Henry has not spoken since the accident. Following a sinister fire, workers, who were restoring the abbey so the family could sell it, are injured and leave. Henry starts behaving bizarrely; medical tests show nothing physically abnormal.

Henry appears to be possessed, and he demands a [[Priest#Christianity|priest]]; the local Father Tomas Esquibel arrives, but Henry obscenely derides him. The Pope assigns Amorth to visit the abbey. When he arrives, Henry taunts him with memories of World War II. Amorth advocates the importance of [[Christian prayer|prayer]], though Esquibel makes mistakes as an assistant exorcist, including attempting to strangle Henry when Henry antagonizes him, mocking him for his sins.

The duo attempt to exorcise Henry, without success; the demon possesses Amy at times. Amorth finds Julia has not been a religious believer since she was a child; however, he convinces her to pray after she reveals that she believed that her [[Guardian angel#Christianity|guardian angel]] helped her in her childhood.

The Pope becomes seriously ill while reading historical documents about the abbey and is hospitalized. Amorth finds a well on the abbey grounds leading to a complex sealed off by the Church as demonically dangerous. He learns that a founder of the [[Spanish Inquisition]], an exorcist, was possessed and left to die in a cage buried underground. Amorth finds the Church concealed this, and eventually discovers the name of Henry's demon, [[Asmodeus]], which knowledge will assist the exorcism.

Amorth and Esquibel participate in the sacrament of [[Absolution|Confession and Absolution]], mutually confessing and absolving each other of their sins: after Amorth had survived World War II and vowed to serve God in gratitude, a mentally ill woman asked for Amorth's help, and died by suicide when he did not help her due to his [[Seven deadly sins#Pride|pride]]; and Esquibel [[Fornication#Catholicism|fornicated]] with a young woman he did not later marry. The two ready themselves; Amorth instructs Esquibel to wear a [[Miraculous Medal]] necklace. The exorcism succeeds only when Amorth offers himself to be possessed, which fits with Asmodeus's previously stating that he wants to destroy Amorth.

Amorth tries to hang himself, but Asmodeus does not allow it, preferring that Amorth infiltrate and destroy the Church. However, Esquibel helps Amorth drive away Asmodeus and two demonic appearances resembling the women who troubled the men, successfully banishing Asmodeus back to [[Hell]]. Both the Pope and Henry recover, and the Vatican purchases and reconsecrates the abbey.

The triumphant duo visit Rome and find Sullivan has taken leave in Guam, and been replaced by Lumumba. Amorth and Esquibel are admitted to a special Church archive; Lumumba tells them they will be visiting 199 other evil sites,<ref>{{cite news |last=Goslin |first=Austen |url=https://www.polygon.com/23688296/popes-exorcist-review-russell-crowe-sequels |title=The Pope's Exorcist teases 199 sequels and I would watch every single one of them |work=Polygon |date=April 18, 2023 |accessdate=June 11, 2023 |archive-date=June 11, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230611145912/https://www.polygon.com/23688296/popes-exorcist-review-russell-crowe-sequels |url-status=live }}</ref> with the help of a map Amorth discovered at the abbey, to combat the Devil. Amorth jokes that he and Esquibel are going to Hell.

==Cast==
* [[Russell Crowe]] as Father [[Gabriele Amorth]]<ref name="prodnotes"/>
* [[Daniel Zovatto]] as Father Esquibel<ref name="prodnotes">{{Cite web |date=March 22, 2023 |title=The Pope's Exorcist Domestic Production Notes |url=https://sonypicturespublicity.com/dom/secured/mediaassets/viewMediaAssetsLevel2.jsf |access-date=March 22, 2023 |website=[[Sony Pictures]] |archive-date=November 9, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191109004651/https://sonypicturespublicity.com/dom/secured/mediaassets/viewMediaAssetsLevel2.jsf |url-status=dead }}</ref>
* [[Alex Essoe]] as Julia Vasquez<ref name="prodnotes"/>
* [[Franco Nero]] as the Pope<ref name="prodnotes"/>
* River Hawkins as Enzo
* Peter DeSouza-Feighoney as Henry Vasquez<ref name="prodnotes"/>
* [[Laurel Marsden]] as Amy Vasquez<ref name="prodnotes"/>
* [[Cornell John]] as Bishop Lumumba<ref name="Cornell"/>
* Ryan O'Grady as Cardinal Sullivan 
* Carrie Munroe as Adella
* Bianca Bardoe as Rosaria
* [[Ralph Ineson]] as the voice of [[Asmodeus]]<ref name="Ralph"/>

==Production==
===Development===
In October 2020, [[Screen Gems]] acquired the rights to the story of [[Father Gabriele Amorth]] with Ángel Gómez hired to direct.<ref>{{cite web|last=Fleming|first=Mike Jr.|url=https://deadline.com/2020/10/the-popes-exorcist-angel-gomez-director-screen-gems-1234603447/|title=Ángel Gómez To Direct ''The Pope's Exorcist'' For Screen Gems|date=October 26, 2020|website=[[Deadline Hollywood]]|access-date=June 28, 2022|archive-date=December 2, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201202101228/https://deadline.com/2020/10/the-popes-exorcist-angel-gomez-director-screen-gems-1234603447/|url-status=live}}</ref> Chester Hastings and R. Dean McCreary were attached to write the script, while Michael Patrick Kaczmarek, [[Jeff Katz]], and Edward "Eddie" Siebert were set to produce the film.<ref>{{cite web|last=McNary|first=Dave|author-link=Dave McNary|url=https://www.yahoo.com/video/ngel-g-mez-attached-pope-003000074.html|title=Ángel Gómez Attached to ''The Pope's Exorcist'' Movie|date=October 26, 2020|website=[[Yahoo!]]|access-date=June 28, 2022|archive-date=June 28, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220628134347/https://www.yahoo.com/video/ngel-g-mez-attached-pope-003000074.html|url-status=live}}</ref> In June 2022, [[Julius Avery]] boarded the film as director along with producer [[Doug Belgrad]] of 2.0 Entertainment.<ref>{{cite web|last=Gonzalez|first=Umberto|url=https://www.thewrap.com/russell-crowe-the-popes-exorcist-screen-gems/|title=Russell Crowe to Drive the Devil Out of People in ''The Pope's Exorcist'' for Screen Gems|date=June 27, 2022|website=[[The Wrap]]|access-date=June 28, 2022|archive-date=June 27, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220627202910/https://www.thewrap.com/russell-crowe-the-popes-exorcist-screen-gems/|url-status=live}}</ref>  Subsequent script revisions were provided by [[Michael Petroni]], [[Evan Spiliotopoulos]], and Chuck MacLean.<ref>{{cite web|last=Squires|first=John|url=https://bloody-disgusting.com/movie/3720972/the-popes-exorcist-russell-crowe-starring-in-horror-movie-from-overlord-director/|title=''The Pope's Exorcist'': Russell Crowe Starring in Horror Movie from ''Overlord'' Director|date=June 27, 2022|website=[[Bloody Disgusting]]|access-date=June 28, 2022|archive-date=June 28, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220628000434/https://bloody-disgusting.com/movie/3720972/the-popes-exorcist-russell-crowe-starring-in-horror-movie-from-overlord-director/|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Casting===
In June 2022, [[Russell Crowe]] was cast as Amorth.<ref>{{cite web|last=Grobar|first=Matt|url=https://deadline.com/2022/06/russell-crowe-to-star-in-screen-gems-thriller-the-popes-exorcist-1235052857/|title=Russell Crowe To Star In Julius Avery's Supernatural Thriller ''The Pope's Exorcist'' For Screen Gems|date=June 27, 2022|website=[[Deadline Hollywood]]|access-date=June 28, 2022|archive-date=June 27, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220627233914/https://deadline.com/2022/06/russell-crowe-to-star-in-screen-gems-thriller-the-popes-exorcist-1235052857/|url-status=live}}</ref> The following month, [[Alex Essoe]] and [[Daniel Zovatto]] joined the cast.<ref>{{cite web|last=Grobar|first=Matt|url=https://deadline.com/2022/07/the-popes-exorcist-adds-alex-essoe-daniel-zovatto-1235081217/|title=''The Pope's Exorcist'': Alex Essoe & Daniel Zovatto Join Russell Crowe In Supernatural Thriller From Screen Gems|date=July 29, 2022|website=[[Deadline Hollywood]]|accessdate=September 19, 2022|archive-date=September 20, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220920173059/https://deadline.com/2022/07/the-popes-exorcist-adds-alex-essoe-daniel-zovatto-1235081217/|url-status=live}}</ref> In September, [[Franco Nero]] was cast as the [[Pope]], while [[Laurel Marsden]], Cornell S. John, and Peter DeSouza-Feighoney were added to the cast.<ref name="Cornell">{{cite web|last=Grobar|first=Matt|url=https://deadline.com/2022/08/the-popes-exorcist-adds-laurel-marsden-franco-nero-cornell-s-john-more-1235088253/|title=''The Pope's Exorcist'' Finds Its Pope In ''Django'' 's Franco Nero; Laurel Marsden, Cornell S. John & Peter DeSouza-Feighoney Also Set For Screen Gems Thriller|date=August 9, 2022|website=[[Deadline Hollywood]]|accessdate=September 19, 2022|archive-date=September 20, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220920171821/https://deadline.com/2022/08/the-popes-exorcist-adds-laurel-marsden-franco-nero-cornell-s-john-more-1235088253/|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Ralph Ineson]] voices the demon.<ref name="Ralph">{{Cite web |last=Squires |first=John |date=2023-01-27 |title=''The Pope's Exorcist'' – ''The Witch'' Star Ralph Ineson Will Voice the Film's Demon [Exclusive] |url=https://bloody-disgusting.com/exclusives/3748927/the-popes-exorcist-the-witch-star-ralph-ineson-will-voice-the-films-demon-exclusive/ |access-date=2023-02-07 |website=[[Bloody Disgusting]] |archive-date=February 7, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230207164658/https://bloody-disgusting.com/exclusives/3748927/the-popes-exorcist-the-witch-star-ralph-ineson-will-voice-the-films-demon-exclusive/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Filming===
[[Principal photography]] took place from August to October 2022 in [[Dublin]] and [[Limerick]], [[Ireland]] and [[Rome]], [[Italy]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=August 25, 2022 |last=O'Regan |first=Donal |title=Limerick is all set to welcome Hollywood A-Lister for movie shoot |url=https://www.limerickleader.ie/news/home/894638/limerick-is-all-set-to-welcome-hollywood-a-lister-for-movie-shoot.html |access-date=February 7, 2023 |work=[[Limerick Leader]] |archive-date=February 7, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230207163602/https://www.limerickleader.ie/news/home/894638/limerick-is-all-set-to-welcome-hollywood-a-lister-for-movie-shoot.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Kit|first=Borys|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/russell-crowe-popes-exorcist-1235169682/|title=Russell Crowe to Star in Supernatural Thriller ''The Pope's Exorcist'' (Exclusive)|date=June 27, 2022|website=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]|access-date=June 28, 2022|archive-date=June 28, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220628005138/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/russell-crowe-popes-exorcist-1235169682/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Kroll |first=Justin |date=October 28, 2022 |title='Station 11's Daniel Zovatto To Co-Star In Anna Kendrick's Directorial Debut ''The Dating Game'' |url=https://deadline.com/2022/10/station-11-daniel-zovatto-anna-kendrick-the-dating-game-1235155614/ |access-date=February 7, 2023 |work=[[Deadline Hollywood]] |archive-date=March 1, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230301175108/https://deadline.com/2022/10/station-11-daniel-zovatto-anna-kendrick-the-dating-game-1235155614/ |url-status=live }}</ref>  Scenes were also filmed with Crowe in [[Trinity College Dublin|Trinity College]] in Dublin.<ref>{{Cite web|date=August 3, 2022|title=Russell Crowe spotted playing famous exorcist on set in Trinity College, Dublin|last=Masterson|first=Eugene|url=https://www.sundayworld.com/showbiz/movies/russell-crowe-spotted-playing-famous-exorcist-on-set-in-trinity-college-dublin/1933272230.html|access-date=February 7, 2023|work=[[Sunday World]]|archive-date=February 7, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230207163604/https://www.sundayworld.com/showbiz/movies/russell-crowe-spotted-playing-famous-exorcist-on-set-in-trinity-college-dublin/1933272230.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Release==
''The Pope's Exorcist'' was released in India on April 7, 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Pope's Exorcist Movie Review: Russell Crowe shines in a lacklustre horror film |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/reviews/story/the-popes-exorcist-movie-review-russell-crowe-shines-in-a-lacklustre-horror-film-2357054-2023-04-07 |access-date=2023-04-08 |website=[[India Today]] |date=April 7, 2023 |archive-date=April 10, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230410223447/https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/reviews/story/the-popes-exorcist-movie-review-russell-crowe-shines-in-a-lacklustre-horror-film-2357054-2023-04-07 |url-status=live }}</ref> It was released in the United States on April 14, 2023, by [[Sony Pictures Releasing]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hamman |first=Cody |date=2023-02-21 |title=The Pope's Exorcist featurette gives an early look at Russell Crowe supernatural thriller |url=https://www.joblo.com/the-popes-exorcist-featurette/ |access-date=2023-02-21 |website=[[JoBlo]] |archive-date=February 21, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230221213639/https://www.joblo.com/the-popes-exorcist-featurette/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Home media===

The film was released on digital formats on May 2, followed by a [[Blu-ray]] and [[DVD]] release on June 13.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dvdsreleasedates.com/movies/10911/the-popes-exorcist|title=The Pope's Exorcist DVD Release Date|website=www.dvdsreleasedates.com|access-date=June 5, 2023|archive-date=June 5, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230605101223/https://www.dvdsreleasedates.com/movies/10911/the-popes-exorcist|url-status=live}}</ref> The film was later streamed on [[Netflix]] starting August 16, 2023, where it ranked as the number one film in America for nine straight days.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Zilko |first=Christian |date=2023-08-04 |title=The 7 Best New Movies on Netflix in August 2023 |url=https://www.indiewire.com/gallery/best-new-movies-on-netflix-august-2023/ |access-date=2023-08-05 |website=[[IndieWire]] |archive-date=August 5, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230805013648/https://www.indiewire.com/gallery/best-new-movies-on-netflix-august-2023/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

== Reception ==
=== Box office ===
''The Pope's Exorcist'' grossed $20 million in the United States and Canada, and $57 million in other territories, for a worldwide total of $77 million.<ref name="NUM"/><ref name="BOM"/>

In the United States and Canada, ''The Pope's Exorcist'' was released alongside ''[[Renfield (film)|Renfield]]'', ''[[Mafia Mamma]]'', ''[[Sweetwater (2023 film)|Sweetwater]]'', and ''[[Suzume (film)|Suzume]]'', and was projected to gross between $4–10 million from 3,178 theaters in its opening weekend.<ref name=VarietyBudget>{{Cite web |last=Rubin |first=Rebecca |date=April 12, 2023 |title=Box Office: Nicolas Cages ''Renfield'', ''Pope's Exorcist'' No Match for ''Super Mario Bros. Movie'' |url=https://variety.com/2023/film/news/box-office-super-mario-bros-movie-nicolas-cage-renfield-projections-1235579707/ |access-date=April 12, 2023 |website=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |archive-date=April 12, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230412150349/https://variety.com/2023/film/news/box-office-super-mario-bros-movie-nicolas-cage-renfield-projections-1235579707/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url = https://www.boxofficepro.com/weekend-box-office-forecast-the-super-mario-bros-movie-chases-more-animation-history-in-2nd-frame-renfield-the-popes-exorcist-and-suzume-debut/ |title = Weekend Box Office Forecast: Super Mario Bros. Chases More Animation History in 2nd Frame as Renfield, The Pope's Exorcist, and Suzume Debut |first = Shawn |last = Robbins |date = April 12, 2023 |website = BoxOfficePro |access-date = April 13, 2023 |archive-date = April 12, 2023 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230412233022/https://www.boxofficepro.com/weekend-box-office-forecast-the-super-mario-bros-movie-chases-more-animation-history-in-2nd-frame-renfield-the-popes-exorcist-and-suzume-debut/ |url-status = live }}</ref> The film made $3.5 million on its first day, including $850,000 from Thursday night previews.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rubin |first=Rebecca |date=April 14, 2023 |title=Box Office: 'Renfield' Makes $900,000 in Previews |url=https://variety.com/2023/film/news/renfield-box-office-previews-1235582877/ |access-date=April 14, 2023 |website=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |archive-date=April 14, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230414143946/https://variety.com/2023/film/news/renfield-box-office-previews-1235582877/amp/ |url-status=live }}</ref> It went on to debut to $9.2 million, finishing second behind holdover ''[[The Super Mario Bros. Movie]]''.<ref name=opening>{{cite web |url=https://deadline.com/2023/04/box-office-super-mario-bros-renfield-popes-exorcist-1235325394/ |title='Super Mario Bros' Now At $87M: Best Second Weekend Ever For Animated Movie & Illumination – Saturday PM Box Office |website=[[Deadline Hollywood]] |date=April 16, 2023 |first=Anthony |last=D'Alessandro |access-date=April 16, 2023 |archive-date=April 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230416033103/https://deadline.com/2023/04/box-office-super-mario-bros-renfield-popes-exorcist-1235325394/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=opening2>{{Cite web |last=Rubin |first=Rebecca |date=2023-04-16 |title=Box Office: 'Super Mario Bros. Movie' Scores Again With Huge $87 Million, 'Renfield' Flops With $7.7 Million Debut |url=https://variety.com/2023/film/news/box-office-renfield-stumbles-super-mario-bros-movie-huge-second-weekend-1235584544/ |access-date=2023-04-16 |website=Variety |language=en-US |archive-date=April 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230416204440/https://variety.com/2023/film/news/box-office-renfield-stumbles-super-mario-bros-movie-huge-second-weekend-1235584544/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The film made $3.3 million in its sophomore weekend (dropping 63%), finishing in seventh.<ref>{{cite web |last1=D'Alessandro |first1=Anthony |title='Super Mario Bros' Has Best Third Weekend For Animated Pic With $58M+; 'Evil Dead Rise' Still Alive With $23M+ – Sunday Box Office Update |url=https://deadline.com/2023/04/box-office-evil-dead-rise-super-mario-bros-movie-2-1235333373/ |website=Deadline Hollywood |date=April 22, 2023 |access-date=April 23, 2023 |archive-date=May 22, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230522142257/https://deadline.com/2023/04/box-office-evil-dead-rise-super-mario-bros-movie-2-1235333373/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

In other territories, the film was released a week ahead of its U.S. debut, grossing $12 million from 43 markets.<ref name="DHInt1stBO">{{cite web |last1=Tartaglione |first1=Nancy |title=Bowza!: 'The Super Mario Bros Movie' Makes History With $378M Global Start; Best-Ever WW Debut For An Animated Film & No. 2 Overseas Launch With $173M – International Box Office |url=https://deadline.com/2023/04/the-super-mario-bros-movie-opening-china-global-international-box-office-1235318557/ |website=Deadline Hollywood |date=April 9, 2023 |access-date=9 April 2023 |archive-date=April 17, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230417193756/https://deadline.com/2023/04/the-super-mario-bros-movie-opening-china-global-international-box-office-1235318557/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In its second weekend, the film expanded to 51 markets, earning $10.4 million.<ref name="DHInt2ndBO">{{cite web |last1=Tartaglione |first1=Nancy |title='Super Mario Bros' Jumps Higher With $693M WW Through Sunday, Will Barrel Past $700M Today; 'John Wick 4' Reaches Franchise-Best $350M – International Box Office |url=https://deadline.com/2023/04/super-mario-bros-movie-second-weekend-global-international-box-office-1235326157/ |website=Deadline Hollywood |date=April 17, 2023 |access-date=17 April 2023 |archive-date=April 17, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230417193158/https://deadline.com/2023/04/super-mario-bros-movie-second-weekend-global-international-box-office-1235326157/ |url-status=live }}</ref> ''The Pope's Exorcist'' grossed $5.7 million from 53 markets in its third weekend.<ref name="DHInt3rdBO">{{cite web |last1=Tartaglione |first1=Nancy |title='Super Mario Bros' Speeds Towards $900M WW; 'Evil Dead' Rises With $40M; 'First Slam Dunk' Scores In China – International Box Office |url=https://deadline.com/2023/04/super-mario-bros-movie-first-slam-dunk-john-wick-china-global-international-box-office-1235334332/ |website=Deadline Hollywood |date=April 23, 2023 |access-date=23 April 2023 |archive-date=April 24, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230424064702/https://deadline.com/2023/04/super-mario-bros-movie-first-slam-dunk-john-wick-china-global-international-box-office-1235334332/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Critical response===
{{Rotten Tomatoes prose|51|5.1|106|Dominus Crowe! ''The Pope's Exorcist'' is standard-issue holy horror in most respects, but its star's sanctified performance will be the answer to some viewers' prayers.|ref=yes|access-date=June 26, 2024}} {{Metacritic film prose|45|19|ref=yes|access-date=September 14, 2023}} Audiences surveyed by [[CinemaScore]] gave the film an average grade of "B-" on an A+ to F scale,<ref name=opening2/> while those polled by [[PostTrak]] gave the film a 79% positive score.<ref name=opening/>

Tamlin Magee at ''[[The Guardian]]'' noted, "Most professions are flattered by the attentions of Hollywood. Yet a body representing the real-life practitioners depicted in new Russell Crowe horror ''The Pope's Exorcist'' have condemned the film as 'unreliable … splatter cinema'. ... In a statement issued last month, the [[International Association of Exorcists]] (IAE) called the title of the film 'pretentious' and claimed that its ''Da Vinci Code''-esque conspiratorial plot poses 'unacceptable doubt' to the public as to who 'the real enemy is, the devil or ecclesiastical power'."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Magee |first=Tamlin |date=April 10, 2023 |title='Unreliable splatter': Vatican exorcists denounce Russell Crowe's Pope's Exorcist |url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2023/apr/10/exorcists-denounce-the-popes-exorcist-with-russell-crowe |access-date=April 14, 2023 |website=[[The Guardian]] |archive-date=April 13, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230413215918/https://www.theguardian.com/film/2023/apr/10/exorcists-denounce-the-popes-exorcist-with-russell-crowe |url-status=live }}</ref>

Paul Asay at ''[[Focus on the Family#Pluggedin.com|Plugged In]]'', a Christian film review publication, praised the film for its themes of sacrifice and extolling the virtue of love; he wrote that ''The Pope's Exorcist'' "may actually plant seeds of spiritual growth in the lives of some".<ref name="Asay2023">{{cite web |last1=Asay |first1=Paul |title=The Pope's Exorcist |url=https://www.pluggedin.com/movie-reviews/popes-exorcist-2023/ |website=[[Plugged In (publication)]] |access-date=16 April 2023 |date=14 April 2023 |archive-date=April 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230416054749/https://www.pluggedin.com/movie-reviews/popes-exorcist-2023/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

Crowe's performance has received mixed reviews from critics. Chris Vognar of ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' positively reviewed his performance, writing that "Crowe brings an imposing physicality and winking charm to go with Amorth's gravity."<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Vognar |first=Chris |date=April 15, 2023 |title=Why Is Russell Crowe Playing a Whiskey-Guzzling Italian Exorcist? |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/tv-movies/tv-movie-reviews/the-popes-exorcist-review-russell-crowe-italian-exorcist-whiskey-religion-satan-1234713757/ |access-date=April 17, 2023 |magazine=[[Rolling Stone]] |archive-date=April 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230416130308/https://www.rollingstone.com/tv-movies/tv-movie-reviews/the-popes-exorcist-review-russell-crowe-italian-exorcist-whiskey-religion-satan-1234713757/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Kayleena Pierce-Bohen of ''[[Screen Rant]]'' was similarly positive, writing that "even if he's in something subpar, his screen presence is undeniable."<ref name="auto">{{Cite web |last=Pierce-Bohen |first=Kayleena |date=April 17, 2023 |title=The Pope's Exorcist Continues A Huge Russell Crowe Lead Problem |url=https://screenrant.com/the-popes-exorcist-russell-crowe-lead-bad-movie-problem/ |access-date=April 17, 2023 |website=[[Screen Rant]] |archive-date=April 17, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230417190619/https://screenrant.com/the-popes-exorcist-russell-crowe-lead-bad-movie-problem/ |url-status=live }}</ref> However, several reviewers, including Pierce-Bohen and Luke Thompson of [[The A.V. Club|''A.V. Club'']], criticized Crowe's Italian accent.<ref name="auto"/><ref>{{Cite web |last=Thompson |first=Luke |date=April 14, 2023 |title=The Pope's Exorcist review: Not even the power of Russell Crowe should compel you to see this |url=https://www.avclub.com/the-popes-exorcist-movie-review-1850335979 |access-date=April 17, 2023 |website=[[The A.V. Club]] |archive-date=April 17, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230417190619/https://www.avclub.com/the-popes-exorcist-movie-review-1850335979 |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Accolades===

{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders"
! scope="col" |Award / Film Festival
! scope="col" |Date of ceremony
! scope="col" |Category
! scope="col" |Recipient(s)
! scope="col" |Result
! class="unsortable" scope="col" |{{Tooltip|Ref.|Reference(s)}}
|-
! rowspan=2 scope="row"| [[Golden Raspberry Awards]]
| rowspan=2 | [[44th Golden Raspberry Awards|March 9, 2024]]
| [[Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Actor|Worst Actor]]
| [[Russell Crowe]]
| {{nom}}
| rowspan=2 | <ref>{{Cite web |first=J. Kim |last=Murphy |date=22 January 2024 |title=Razzie Noms 2024: Chris Evans and Jennifer Lopez Up for Worst Actors; 'Shazam 2' and 'Ant-Man 3' Tie With 4 Nods |url=https://variety.com/2024/film/news/razzie-nominations-2024-chris-evans-jennifer-lopez-1235879949/ |access-date=22 January 2024 |website=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |language=en-US |archive-date=January 24, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240124130819/https://variety.com/2024/film/news/razzie-nominations-2024-chris-evans-jennifer-lopez-1235879949/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
| [[Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Supporting Actor|Worst Supporting Actor]]
| [[Franco Nero]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| rowspan=2 scope="row"| [[IFTA Film & Drama Awards|Irish Film & Television Awards]]
| rowspan=2 | [[20th Irish Film & Television Awards|20 April 2024]]
| Best Costume Design
| Lorna Marie Mugan
| {{nom}}
|-
| Best Hair & Make-Up
| Orla Carroll and [[Lynn Johnson (make-up artist)|Lynn Johnston]]
| {{won}}
|}

==Possible sequel==
In April 2023, a sequel was announced to be in early development. Crowe is expected to reprise his role.<ref>{{cite web |first=John |last=Squires |url=https://bloody-disgusting.com/exclusives/3759492/popes-exorcist-sequel-in-early-development-exclusive/ |title='The Pope's Exorcist' Sequel in Early Development! |website=[[Bloody Disgusting]] |date=April 25, 2023 |access-date=April 27, 2023 |archive-date=April 26, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230426225430/https://bloody-disgusting.com/exclusives/3759492/popes-exorcist-sequel-in-early-development-exclusive/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

In May 2024, ''The Pope's Exorcist 2'' was greenlit but no cast have yet confirmed their return.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Norman |first=Dalton |date=2023-08-26 |title=The Pope's Exorcist 2: Confirmation & Everything We Know |url=https://screenrant.com/the-popes-exorcist-2-confirmation-story-cast-updates/ |access-date=2024-10-16 |website=ScreenRant |language=en}}</ref>

==See also==

* ''[[The Devil and Father Amorth]]'', 2017 documentary
* [[Exorcism in Christianity]]
*[[Exorcism in the Catholic Church]]
*''[[The Exorcism]]''

== References ==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* {{Official website|https://www.sonypictures.com/movies/thepopesexorcist}}
* {{IMDb title}}

{{Julius Avery}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Pope's Exorcist}}
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[[Category:Films about Catholic priests]]
[[Category:Films about exorcism]]
[[Category:Films based on memoirs]]
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{{Wikipedia attribution|original_title=The Pope's Exorcist|access_date=2026-03-07}}