A brand-new 2023 horror movie has just hit Netflix. As such, social media users are freaking out, giving the film a new life following its theatrical release earlier this year.
The film, titled The Pope’s Exorcist, is a supernatural horror film which is said to be “inspired by the actual files of the Vatican’s chief exorcist.” Russell Crowe stars in the movie as Father Gabriele Amorth, a real-life Catholic priest who gained international recognition for his work in exorcism. In fact, he claimed to have performed tens of thousands of exorcisms before his death in 2016.
Obviously this lends the film a quality that has many horror fans and general moviegoers interested. Films like The Exorcist and The Conjuring became so popular because of the alleged real-life stories that inspired their respective screenplays. It’s not surprising that The Pope’s Exorcist could have a similar appeal, and that’s probably what the studio was hoping for. And while it wasn’t quite as critically or financially successful as those aforementioned films – it does seem to be reaching an audience on Netflix.
Here are some of the responses shared by Netflix viewers on social media:
The Pope’s Exorcist is now on Netflix! Run, don’t walk! pic.twitter.com/GwJ3wRjJOJ
— Zach Nix (@zachnix18) August 17, 2023
That movie “The Pope’s Exorcist” on Netflix is crazy😭 first 20 minutes had me locked in
— Brionna💓 (@Annoirb____) August 18, 2023
The Pope’s Exorcist on Netflix is actually really good.
— shan. (@Ohh_Darlaaaa) August 17, 2023
If you have Netflix, do yourself a favor and watch The Pope’s Exorcist.
FANTASTIC movie.
— Deuce (@LMFGBMFO) August 17, 2023
The Pope’s Exorcist is on Netflix now, and I 10/10 recommend
— ♛Kayli Konarski♛ (@KayliKonarski) August 16, 2023
my parents are making me watching the pope’s exorcist with them.. I’m getting no sleep tonight 😐
— mj (@mariaramirez_g) August 17, 2023
The pope’s exorcist
True life story; interesting, scary, funny, exciting and terrifying all at the same time pic.twitter.com/uDBUDW6MUf
— Akitiolu 🇳🇬 🍦 (@Alpha_Yom) May 11, 2023
The Pope’s Exorcist (2023)🎬
Not a fan of horror but I have always loved exorcism movies.
Russell Crowe is an AGBA and he proved it. People said “Its not that scary”, y’all should seek Jesus.
A must watch and I will be happy for watch more installments. #ScumRating: 6.5/10 pic.twitter.com/7UgN3RpvSa
— Scummander and Movies🎬 (@ScumanderMovies) May 8, 2023
The Pope’s exorcist is a scary movie, but the first movie I have watched this year without skipping it
— Aweh (@AwehPrecious) August 10, 2023
Saw The Pope’s Exorcist movie on Netflix with my Cousin and it is a real good time! Definitely recommend if you like your Exorcist movies!
— Shrion! 🎭 (@Shrion_Shi) August 18, 2023
the pope’s exorcist on Netflix is so good omg im scared a lil but the suspense got me tuned in 🔥
— CIERRA (@CENTERFOLDCIE) August 18, 2023
PAUSE. i meant have a sleepover w my cousin in her room bc i’m SCARED. 😭😭😭😭
— nene ✶ (@nenesjournal) August 18, 2023
The Pope’s Exorcist was a fun ride.
— Sam Vanivray (@SamVanivray) August 18, 2023
Saw The Pope’s Exorcist movie on Netflix with my Cousin and it is a real good time! Definitely recommend if you like your Exorcist movies!
— Shrion! 🎭 (@Shrion_Shi) August 18, 2023
the pope’s exorcist might be one of the funniest movies i’ve ever watched. special shoutout goes to every scene where they show russell crowe dramatically driving somewhere on his moped
— Perfect Birb Lady DX & Knuckles 🐀 (@fbfishslap) August 18, 2023
Ok so the Pope’s exorcist was actually amazing, the end it went 0-100 real quick @russellcrowe
— John Haywood (@JHay97) August 18, 2023
The Pope’s Exorcist is a 9/10 movie and I’m tired of pretending it’s not
— Emerald_Toast (@emerald_toast) August 18, 2023
THE POPE’S EXORCIST IS SO BUTT LMAOOOOOOOOO
— fat gyat 🦋 (@mintfaceshawty) August 17, 2023
Just watched the pope’s exorcist and loved it. I hope there are sequels
— Chris D 👣🛸👻 (@saltnburnem) August 17, 2023
The house in the Pope’s Exorcist was perfect for the movie, overall a great horror movie.
— Bryan Lefere (@BryanLefere) August 17, 2023
lmfao what the hell was Russell Crowe thinking when he agreed to do The Pope’s Exorcist?
— Dick Black (@UnrealDickBlack) August 17, 2023
i’m watching the pope’s exorcist and it’s looking good so far but i can’t stop laughing every time i see him on his little lambretta scooter. it’s too funny of a sight.
— hunter… ndms. (@bashedbrns) August 17, 2023
Can’t say I expected The Pope’s Exorcist to be as goofy as it was
— sethy (@sethrountree) August 17, 2023
Watching The Pope’s Exorcist while the Sun’s up..
🫣..
— Pink Scorpio (@vsPiNK85) August 17, 2023
I don’t know why people didn’t like The Pope’s Exorcist – I’m really enjoying the movie. I’m starting to think that people are just movie snobs lmfao
— Bats🦇 (@StrayingBat) August 17, 2023
The Pope’s Exorcist is as fun as I hoped it would be. Lol
— Naz D. Stampede 🇵🇷 (@Naztradamix) August 17, 2023
I’m not the biggest fan of exorcism flicks, but The Pope’s Exorcist was fun as hell.
— Callastrophan, the Weird (K. L. Webb) (@carrollastrophe) August 17, 2023
Russell Crowe could dedicate his life to making 100 sequels to The Pope’s Exorcist and I don’t think anyone would be upset
— Carter (#1 Meg fan) (@flying_gnomie) August 17, 2023
Y’all I’m watching the Pope’s Exorcist alone, like why did I think this was a good idea
— Conn ☄️ (@Connvos) August 16, 2023
The pope’s exorcist is such a good movie and it’s based on a true story I’m going down the rabbit hole rn omg
— madame di madame. (@ohpbabe) August 17, 2023
With an $18 million budget, the film still made back a healthy profit by having grossed $76.2 million at the box office. Now with streaming adding to its success – it goes to show how much potential there still is in adapting such stories for the big screen. It’ll be interesting to see, then, what other upcoming supernatural horror films like The Exorcist: Believer will do at the box office and on streaming.
The film was directed by Julius Avery from a screenplay penned by Michael Petroni and Evan Spiliotopoulos. It was based on the 1990 book An Exorcist Tells His Story and the 1992 book An Exorcist: More Stories by Father Gabriele Amorth.
Stay tuned to ScreenGeek for any additional Netflix news and other horror updates as we have them. For now, The Pope’s Exorcist is available to stream on Netflix.