In 2016, at the age of 91, the Reverend Gabriele Amorth, who acted as the exorcist for the Diocese of Rome from 1986 until his passing, motivated Sony Pictures to premiere “The Pope’s Exorcist,” a frightening movie on April 14, 2023.
Amorth, the founder of the International Association of Exorcists (IAE) in 1990, played a significant role in popularizing and training new exorcists. As a Catholic group that supports exorcism, the IAE has worked towards normalizing the practice. Prior to Amorth’s efforts, Catholic exorcism was uncommon in the United States and many parts of Europe.
In a favorable manner, it portrayed a clergyman, the movie’s executive producers justified it by highlighting that. Individuals requiring this ceremony, the agony of, the movie sensationalized exorcism and did not effectively communicate, the IAE cautioned that. “Gory terror,” the movie as disapproving the declaration issued by IAE, in March. The characters in the movie are depicted in the manner Amorth and his organization, disapproving of the group has been this.
Provoking debate is a scary movie about his life that I consider fitting, having investigated the background of exorcism. Amorth was a divisive individual who had a complex connection with horror films.
In other words, other exorcism movies have made a comeback thanks to the public demand for the ritual, and we find renewed interest in exorcisms in his autobiography “His Story,” which tells the story of Amorth and his 160,000 exorcisms, sometimes boasted about, performed. Additionally, the controversy surrounding books like Harry Potter and yoga saying that they can cause demonic possession has also attracted attention.
According to religion expert Michael Cuneo, who asserted that “The Exorcist” played a major role in rejuvenating exorcism, concurs with Amorth on this matter. The number of exorcism requests skyrocketed when that movie was released in 1973. The church, which had previously viewed exorcism as a cause for shame, was ill-equipped and untrained to handle this surge in demand. However, church officials have progressively embraced exorcism, perceiving it as a valuable asset rather than a drawback.
Thomas Gary, a real priest, inspired the horror film “The Rite,” which is a Catholic exorcism study set in Rome. The film premiered at a film festival in Umbria in 2011 and was introduced alongside other horror films. After a decade of evolving his career in horror films, Amorth became an exorcist. “The Rite” is a good film that is substantially based on a respectable novel and mirrors a true story. However, the special effects in the film are exaggerated. Unsurprisingly, Amorth named “The Exorcist” as his favorite film.
William Friedkin, the director of the Oscar-winning film “The Exorcist,” showcased his 2017 documentary titled “The Devil and Father Amorth” after carrying out a real exorcism. This unveiling took place a year following the death of Amorth, who was prominently featured in the documentary.
Variety observed that Catholic exorcism and horror movies now appeared interconnected “like a loop.”
There is no such concept as negative publicity
Comparisons to pornography, such as comparing others and film, deeply spiritual, as well as polarizing, was also The Exorcist’s “The Pope’s Exorcist” but with great liberties taken, praising Catholics with its story and also comparing it to “The DaVinci Code” and “Indiana Jones” franchise.
Sony Pictures has already announced a sequel to the good weekend opening sales of the film, which has likely compelled more people to see it. Ironically, the media coverage from the IAE has boosted the film, “The Pope’s Exorcist,” as it focused on Satan rather than criticizing Rev. Vincent Lampert, a member of the IAE, for his ministry and condemnation of Amorth.
For now, the complicated synergy between horror films and actual exorcists shows no sign of abating.