What is it about? Inspired by the real archives of the Vatican’s chief exorcist, Father Gabriel Amorti. Father Gabriel Amort investigates the gruesome discovery of a possessed young boy. His investigation leads to an age-old conspiracy that the Vatican has tried desperately to forget.
Father Gabriel Amort
The film, written by Michael Petroni and Evan Spiliotopoulos, is based on true events. Rather, The Exorcist of the Vatican is inspired by the real archives of the Vatican’s chief exorcist, Father Gabriel Amorti.
Considered by some to be the Dean of Exorcists, by others to be the Exorcist of the Vatican, Father Gabriel Amort has performed countless exorcisms on behalf of the Church and has proven himself to be a fierce fighter against the forces of evil.
He remembered his achievements in two books (The exorcist tells him and New Tales of the Exorcist) Documenting gruesome anecdotes and exploring the dangers that demons pose to humanity. His translator Russell Crowe explains:
“Father Gabriele Amorti really existed, he held this position for 36 years and participated in tens of thousands of exorcisms. There is no doubt that he is a deeply pious man, but he is also ‘extremely independent.’
Daniel Zovato and Russell Crowe
Russell Crowe does not like horror!
“The Exorcist of the Vatican” is Russell Crowe’s first horror movie lead role. The 59-year-old actor says: “It’s a genre I’ve never explored. To be honest, I don’t really like horror movies. They keep me up at night. I’m incredibly superstitious.”
“Going around in circles as a character does whatever situations suit him… I don’t really feel comfortable. Sure, there’s been unusual things going on around us, but we kind of take a step back and think of it as a coincidence. Or you’re going to go crazy.”
James Bond of Exorcists!
Two works of Father Amort – The exorcist tells him and New Tales of the Exorcist – It was a bestseller. Producer Michael Patrick Kaczmarek managed to acquire the rights to adapt it before the cleric’s death in 2016: “During our discussions I was able to convince him that if he were to take the risk of working with me, I would make sure that I would uphold his work with Catholic values - and respect his integrity, the Church and its order. religious. .”
“These books are a minefield of hundreds of intrigues, anecdotes, real-life cases of Father Amorth exorcising demons. The number of stories we could tell was limitless. With my co-producers, we always thought the character was James Bond. The Exorcists were stories. A lot of it, both from the book, that we could pull from and that fit our vision for the film.
Russell Crowe
Obsessed boy
In the film, Father Gabriel Amort is on a mission to hunt down a demonic creature that has possessed a little boy named Henry. The producer hired 12-year-old Peter Desouza-Fagon for the role. Producer Doug Belgrade recalls:
“During the audition, he imitated the Pope’s voice, mixing German and Italian dialects before uttering a terrifying demonic growl. Peter was not expected to produce a demonic voice. He exceeded our expectations.”
Moreover, note the presence of Daniel Zovato in the second lead role of the film, an actor who is extremely used to horror, since he starred in Beneath, It Follows, Don’t Breathe or even Penny Dreadful: City Of Angels.
Abbey building in Ireland
For the exterior of San Sebastian Abbey, filmmaker Julius Avery set several criteria: the building had to be tall and accessible from a modern road for the scene where Julia and her children arrive by car (and later, the one where Father Amorti arrives on his Lambretta scooter).
After researching in Ireland, the production chose an abandoned castle in Limerick. Location Manager Eoin Holohan explains: “It was a building of Gothic architecture nestled in the woods. There was a building on a high ground, a clear horizon in the distance and a road nearby.”
Julius Ivy and his team shot the interior of the abbey at Ardmore Studios near Dublin. Lead designer Alan Gilmour developed their designs by taking inspiration from the stained glass windows in Christ Church Cathedral (Dublin) and integrating demonic references such as pentagrams surrounding the iconography.
Source: Allocine
Rose James is a Gossipify movie and series reviewer known for her in-depth analysis and unique perspective on the latest releases. With a background in film studies, she provides engaging and informative reviews, and keeps readers up to date with industry trends and emerging talents.
