The Exorcism

Why have exorcism movies become all the rage again? It's such a defeated sub-genre. There's no life left in it. I was really hoping 'The Exorcism' was going to do something unique or throw a twist on the concept. But no, it had nothing new to offer.

The only time this film really worked was during the interesting little glimpses behind the scenes of the movie within a movie being filmed. Like it wasn't overly captivating cinema, but compared to the tired "horror" the film was trying to put forward it was at least something with a pulse.

I never cared about the fate of any of the characters and never felt my heart-rate raise a single beat. This one was a miss. 4/10.

This movie started out really great. A washed up, alcoholic actor gets a chance at a comeback role playing the priest in a remake of The Exorcist. But strange things are afoot. Is he still fighting his old demons in his mind, or is he fighting a real demon on set? Unfortunately, we know the answer as an opening prologue takes away that mystery before it's begun. But, let's see how it plays out.... Ooh boy, does it lose its way at the halfway point. Scenes are stitched together that make no sense, people behave as no normal person would, devastating injuries disappear, crazy behavior is blown off, a sudden fall to death - isn't? It's just ridiculous, and there's no comeuppance for the one awful character. It's like they stopped halfway through and just threw everything on the cutting room floor at the screen and then rolled the credits.

I know that this film was technically being worked on before the serviceable pope's exorcist last year, but I find it funny that Crowe took both nearly exact roles as an exorcist in a 4 year span. This is a guy that won an Oscar that was once held as a top five actor in the 2000s. That's not to say he still can't act well because in both of these films, he carries it with his tenacious intensity and dedication to the character. It just seems peculiar that he's not in really any other films.

While, this film doesn't do anything particularly different and the cliches run amok . It's still a passable exorcism movie with captivating enough visuals and ok story to keep you intertwined. The supporting cast is actually rather great as well. Sam Worthington proves once again he's quite underrated and never truly got the respect he deserved. Crowe of course pours every bit he has into these films and while I'd like to see him get other roles if that's even possible, he has found a particular niche As the go to aging exorcist.

The scene setting to start was good, strong pacing and intriguing.

Unfortunately it never developed from there...loose story line, there was never any reason behind the occurrences of the film.

What relation did any of the references have to the story line? You'd have to see it for this to be a spoiler... and I don't personally think you should...

What happened to the characters?

Would I recommend this film? Simply put, no, spend your money watching something else!

It's a shame watching a film with Russell Crowe headlining and coming away from it saying.. why has he decided to star in this movie? Is this a sign his acting career has possibly seen better days?

If you want a few cheap jump scares go for it, but you've been warned!!

If you're planning to watch a horror film, this is definitely not the one to choose. The production seems to have mistakenly categorized it under the horror genre instead of drama. Out of the 100-minute runtime, the film dedicates a mere 15 minutes to horror, while the remaining 85 minutes are purely drama. Watching this in theaters feels like a waste of time and money if you're expecting a spine-chilling horror experience. Given the minimal horror content, the price of this movie should be Rs 15, reflecting the 15 minutes that are worth watching.

The acting is commendable, but this only holds true if you approach the movie as a drama. The performances are solid and engaging in the context of a dramatic narrative, but if you're hoping for terrifying scenes and suspenseful moments, you'll be sorely disappointed. The film is painfully slow for a horror movie, lacking the tension and thrills that are characteristic of the genre.

One of the most significant drawbacks is its lack of relevance to the previous movie in the series. Fans who are looking for continuity and connections to the earlier installment will find none. This disconnection makes the movie feel disjointed and leaves viewers questioning its place in the series. It's almost as if the filmmakers decided to create a standalone drama but then labeled it as part of the horror series to attract a larger audience.

The storyline itself is unremarkable and fails to evoke any real fear or suspense. The plot meanders through various dramatic elements, focusing on character development and interpersonal relationships. While these aspects might be interesting in a different genre, they simply don't work in a movie that is supposed to be horror. The 15 minutes of horror that the film does offer are clichéd and predictable, lacking the originality and creativity needed to make a lasting impact.

Moreover, the pacing is incredibly slow, dragging through scenes that add little to the overall narrative. This slow pacing is a significant detriment in a horror film, where timing and rhythm are crucial to building tension and maintaining the audience's engagement. Instead of feeling on the edge of their seats, viewers are likely to find themselves bored and restless, waiting for something, anything, to happen.

The film's setting and atmosphere also fail to contribute to a sense of fear or unease. The locations and cinematography are more suited to a drama, with warm lighting and intimate settings that don't lend themselves to creating a spooky or ominous mood. The music, too, is more melodramatic than menacing, further reinforcing the feeling that you're watching a drama rather than a horror film.

If you have no plans and nowhere else to go, and maybe if you have some time to waste, then perhaps you might consider watching it. But even in that case, it would be with the understanding that you're not going to experience a traditional horror film. For those who value their time and are looking for a genuine horror experience, it's best to spend your valuable time elsewhere. There are plenty of other films that deliver true horror and are worth watching.

In conclusion, this film is a disappointment for horror enthusiasts. Its misclassification, slow pace, and lack of relevance to its predecessor make it a poor choice for a horror movie night. The drama elements might be appreciated by some, but they don't belong in a film marketed as horror. Save your time and money for a film that truly delivers on its promise of thrills and scares. This one, unfortunately, does not.