The Exorcism
Russell Crowe descended into the abyss with The Pope's Exorcist less than a year ago. Now, he ventures deeper into the shadows in The Exorcism. This time, Crowe embodies Anthony 'Tony' Miller, an actor with a haunted past who begins to unravel while portraying an exorcist in a new horror film.
The film is steeped in a sinister meta-reality, with chilling nods to the cursed legacies of The Exorcist, The Omen, & Poltergeist. Crowe's return as a troubled exorcist, just after playing a similar role, adds a layer of eerie authenticity. Further blurring the lines between reality & fiction, director Joshua John Miller, the son of Jason Miller - who portrayed Father Damien Karras in The Exorcist - infuses the film with an unsettling, almost cursed, atmosphere.
Within this unsettling backdrop, the film’s fictional director describes his creation as a "psychological drama whipped in the skin of horror," a hauntingly accurate depiction of The Exorcism.
Tony is a man tormented by addiction & the trauma of past sexual assault by a priest. Crowe’s portrayal of this tortured soul is profoundly disturbing, his inner torment & self-doubt palpable. As the film progresses, Tony’s simmering fury & rage erupt in a climactic breakdown, leaving audiences on edge.
Yet, despite its harrowing premise, The Exorcism stumbles in building a sense of urgency & relevance beyond Tony’s inner demons. Ryan Simpkins plays Tony's estranged daughter, a troubled youth expelled from school & now forced to shadow her father on the film set. While the film hints at deeper layers to her character, these potential storylines remain frustratingly underdeveloped.
Tony’s co-star, Blake Holloway (Chloe Bailey), is equally misused as she forms a quick but significant bond with Tony's daughter. Despite this, she becomes little more than a sacrificial pawn in the film’s climactic battle against the malevolent entity plaguing the set.
The Exorcism is a dark homage to the annals of horror history. Russell Crowe’s performance is commendable, yet it alone cannot elevate the film to the heights of unforgettable horror. However, it does surpass The Pope's Exorcist in its chilling narrative & execution.
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