“The Exorcism” is a movie directed by Joshua John Miller starring Russell Crowe, Ryan Simpkins and Sam Worthington.
Russell Crowe returns to our screens for the second time this year in a film all about exorcism. In “The Exorcism”, we are taken into the fictitious production of an Exorcist (1973) remake. Crowe portrays a downtrodden actor tasked with playing the exorcist, a role he struggles with due to personal problems.
The script cleverly plays with the concept of a film within a film, an idea that is neatly wrapped up within a horror film. Regrettably, it’s not Russell Crowe that is at fault here, but the film itself, which fails to build a coherent and enticing narrative. It seems to be caught in a grey area between being a jump-scare horror flick and a well-rounded character drama.
Anthony Miller, Crowe’s character, is a struggling actor whose career has been in decline ever since his wife’s death. Now living with his daughter, who is fresh out of rehab, he lands a golden opportunity to work on a remake of the classic horror film, The Exorcist. However, things start to take a horrifying turn as Anthony begins to feel as if he is truly possessed.
“The Exorcism” boasts a promising premise but falls short in its execution. The brilliant concept of a film within a film, which could have been something à la François Truffaut, dissipates and gets lost in a mediocre horror film. Also, for a horror film, it focuses too much on the personal troubles of the protagonists when audiences were expecting something more immediately gripping and visually shocking.
The film does improve in the latter part, veering towards the horror genre that audiences were initially looking for. But unfortunately, by this time, spectators who were anticipating a classic horror film may be left disappointed, while those looking for something more profound won’t find it in this feature.
Russell Crowe delivers a commendable performance in a film that seems unsuitable for him. Despite his powerful screen presence, he seems out of sync with the role of a fallen, tormented actor. He does his best to portray an actor keen on reviving his dwindling career.
In conclusion, it’s hard to either save or recommend “The Exorcism”. It is a film that squanders its original concept, standing indecisively between being a movie and ‘something more’ that never truly materializes.
The Cast
Russell Crowe is a New Zealand-born actor, film producer, and musician who gained international fame for his role in the blockbuster movie “Gladiator” in 2000. He has since starred in numerous films such as “A Beautiful Mind,” “Les Miserables,” and “The Nice Guys.” Crowe is known for his versatility as an actor and has received multiple awards and nominations throughout his career. He continues to be one of the most recognizable and respected actors in Hollywood.
