“The Exorcism” starring Russell Crowe, promises much more than it delivers. After the unexpected success of “The Pope’s Exorcist,” Crowe once again immerses himself in the world of exorcisms, this time playing a down-on-his-luck actor who begins to lose his mind during the filming of a film about exorcisms. However, what could have been an intriguing psychological thriller remains a mediocre attempt to exploit the genre without much success.
Directed by Joshua John Miller, son of the actor who played Father Karras in the original “The Exorcist,” “The Exorcism” had all the elements to be a remarkable film. The premise of a cursed shoot and the unexplained phenomena affecting the cast sound promising, but the execution leaves much to be desired. Despite having a cast that includes names like Sam Worthington and Adam Goldberg, his performances are totally flat and irrelevant.
Absurd situations and narrative errors
The film suffers from a number of problems, ranging from an incoherent script to unconvincing special effects. The absurd situations and narrative errors make the plot feel forced and unbelievable. Crowe, who in “The Pope’s Exorcist” managed to mix humor and charisma in his role, here seems lost, struggling to make sense of an ill-defined character.
Miller’s direction attempts to provide a meta vision to the film, with constant references to the topics of horror and the black legend of films such as “The Exorcist” or “Poltergeist.” However, these attempts at self-reference feel forced and add nothing meaningful to the narrative. Furthermore, the influence of Kevin Williamson, creator of the “Scream” saga, as producer fails to save the film from its lack of originality.
Although there are moments that try to generate tension, the atmosphere of terror never quite gels. The film feels stretched out and confusing, with an uneven pacing that doesn’t allow the audience to become immersed in the story. Attempts to create suspense are sabotaged by a script that feels more like a failed comedy than a horror thriller.
Well below expectations
In short, “The Exorcism” is a disappointment. It falls far short of expectations, offering an experience that, while not entirely horrible, is certainly not memorable. For fans of the horror and exorcism genres, it may be an option for an afternoon of cinema without many pretensions, but don’t expect much more than that.
