How Much of ‘The Pope’s Exorcist’ Is True?

The intrigue surrounding possession and exorcism stories continues to captivate audiences, transcending time and cinematic iterations, from the classic original, ‘The Exorcist,’ to the anticipated Blumhouse reboot. This enduring fascination, coupled with star power like Russell Crowe, has given rise to high-profile horror productions like ‘The Pope’s Exorcist.’ In this latest offering from director Julius Avery, fresh from his superhero collaboration with Sylvester Stallone in ‘Samaritan,’ Russell Crowe assumes the role of Father Gabriele Amorth, a seasoned exorcist who navigates the delicate balance between faith and science, even injecting humor into the darkest of circumstances. While the film’s events may appear larger-than-life, questioning their authenticity, Father Gabriele Amorth is indeed inspired by a real-life figure – an Italian Catholic priest and renowned exorcist who claimed to have performed over 50,000 exorcisms.

Adapted from Father Amorth’s memoirs, ‘The Pope’s Exorcist’ weaves a tapestry of events, blurring the lines between reality and fiction to deliver a modern yet historically rooted horror experience. References to the Spanish Inquisition and the enigmatic disappearance of Emanuela Orlandi, recently explored in Netflix’s ‘Vatican Girl: The Disappearance of Emanuela Orlandi’ docuseries, anchor Julius Avery’s film in the realm of real-world occurrences. This fusion of truth and creativity is a potent formula for crafting a compelling horror narrative.

you are watching: How Much of ‘The Pope’s Exorcist’ Is True?

Who Is Father Gabriele Amorth?

Born on May 1, 1925, in Modena, Italy, Father Gabriele Amorth was ordained as a Roman Catholic priest in 1954. His journey led him to become an exorcist in 1986, working under the guidance of Chief Exorcist Servant of God Candido Amantini, an esteemed master in the field. In collaboration with French exorcist Father Rene Chenessau, Father Amorth established the Vatican-recognized International Association of Exorcists in 1990, with its headquarters in Rome. He presided over the organization until his retirement in 2000.

see more : Colin Farrell Gave Us a Killer Horror Performance, and We Need More

Father Gabriele Amorth’s pivotal role in the realm of exorcism involved conducting more than 50,000 exorcisms, often on the same individuals, who, like the character Henry in the film, experienced multiple possessions. ‘The Pope’s Exorcist’ quickly establishes that not all possessions are supernatural; many are rooted in psychological struggles. Father Amorth’s crafty opening scene depicts him deceiving a possession victim, convincing them that the demon inside had been vanquished by transferring it into a pig. Later, Russell Crowe’s portrayal of Amorth reinforces this perspective, emphasizing that psychological assistance often trumps exorcisms.

Father Amorth’s fame extended beyond his prolific exorcism record, as documented by director William Friedkin in a documentary featuring Father Amorth conducting an exorcism on a woman named Christina. His outspoken opinions on matters deemed evil earned him notoriety, notably his claims that both Harry Potter and yoga were malevolent influences, leading to controversial assertions that practitioners of these were inadvertently engaging in Satanic worship. Over the years, Father Amorth chronicled his experiences in various books, providing readers with insights into his global travels combating the forces of evil.

‘The Pope’s Exorcist’ Connects Amorth With Emanuela Orlandi

In ‘The Pope’s Exorcist,’ the demon Asmodeus, inhabiting young Henry’s body, thrives on the sins of those who oppose him. This sets the stage for an emotionally charged battle for Father Amorth, who carries the weight of his own sins, including potential involvement in the death of a young girl named Rosaria, a case he briefly handled. In a pivotal scene, Father Amorth confides in his apprentice, Father Esquibel, explaining that Rosaria suffered from mental illness. He drops subtle hints connecting Rosaria’s fate to Emanuela Orlandi, a teenager who mysteriously vanished while returning from her music class.

What Real-Life Events Does ‘The Pope’s Exorcist’ Reference?

see more : He’s the Dude (No, Really): The True Story Behind ‘The Big Lebowski’

Emanuela Orlandi’s disappearance remains shrouded in mystery, and Father Amorth became entangled in the narrative when he asserted that Vatican police had abducted Emanuela for illicit purposes and subsequently murdered her. These claims, coming from the Pope’s exorcist, fueled suspicions of a Vatican cover-up regarding Emanuela’s fate. The film’s early scenes even depict Crowe’s Father Amorth questioning high-ranking Vatican officials about the lack of due process in Rosaria’s death, as the film suggests she leaped to her demise.

‘The Pope’s Exorcist’ also delves into the historical context of the Spanish Inquisition. In the film’s interpretation, this period is marked by a master exorcist, possessed by the demon Asmodeus, attempting to tarnish God and the Church’s reputation. While this portrayal may not align with historical records, it resonates with Father Amorth’s personal beliefs. The film suggests that Asmodeus aims to infiltrate the Vatican by possessing Father Amorth, a notion even articulated by the real Father Gabriele Amorth, who claimed that the Vatican had indeed been infiltrated by evil forces.

Will There Be More ‘Pope’s Exorcist’ Movies in the Future?

Although Father Amorth passed away at the age of 91 in 2016, the extensive documentation of his life as a prolific exorcist ensures a wealth of material for filmmakers to explore. With a sequel hinted at in the film’s final scene and another currently in development, it appears that Father Amorth’s legacy will continue to cast a shadow over the world of exorcism, proving that we haven’t witnessed the last of this enigmatic figure.

Source: https://dominioncinemas.net
Category: MOVIE FEATURES