The 10 best exorcists seen at the cinema

Grim look, stormy soul, a white and red Vespa, the crucifix around his neck. Cinema has discovered a new anti-hero, gruff but irresistible, who defies demonic forces by professing goodness. Deliberately exaggerated in its cinematic dimension, as well as inspired by one of the most obscure and controversial ecclesiastical figures, here is Russell Crowe as Father Gabriele Amorth ne The Pope’s Exorcist directed by Julius Avery (here you can read our review). Nonconformist and little accustomed to dogmas, and responding only to the Bishop of Rome, the cinematographic Amorth will have to face a terrible demon who has taken possession of a child, only to discover a millenary conspiracy hidden by the Church. Certain, The Pope’s Exorcistalthough loosely based on the memoirs of An exorcist tells And New tales of an exorcist of Amorth, reworks with great imagination the profile of the presbyter, who died in 2016.

However, in a pop and imaginary conglomeration, some real aspects of Father Amorth emerge from The Pope’s Exorcist: a passion for journalism, a degree in law, a past as a partisan. And a sort of disenchanted vision of exorcisms also emerges, as it is explained (narratively speaking, of course) that many cases of possession are instead induced by suggestions or medical disturbances. The result is therefore an effective profile from a filmic point of view, also thanks to the Gascon interpretation of Russell Crowe. On balance, The Pope’s Exorcist introduces a new and effective excorcist (the idea of ​​the franchise is around the corner), but the list at the cinema, as you know, is very long. So, from cartoonist John Constantine to legendary duo Father Lankester Merrin and Father Damien Karras, here are the best exorcists (and the best exorcisms) of cinema.

1. The Exorcist (1973)

It could be the scariest movie in history, if it weren’t the ultimate horror cult. Our descent into hell could only begin with the masterpiece of William Friedkins (offered in principle to Stanley Kubrick!), based on the homonymous novel by William Peter Blatty. A great success net of the initial censorship, which tells the story of the little girl Regan McNeil (aka Linda Blair), possessed and finally freed by Father Karras, a priest in a crisis of faith, with the face of Jason Miller, who obtained a Oscar nominations. But in The Exorcist there is also another neuralgic and iconic figure, namely Father Merrin played by Max Von Sydow

and inspired by the theologian Pierre Teilhard de Chardin. Needless to say, Friedkin’s film markedly inspired the horror genre, laying the foundations for a trend that is still expanding. To be seen and reviewed strictly with the lights on.

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2. Constantine (2005)

From black tones to the more pop tones of one of the most underrated cinecomics of the early millennium. Keanu Reevesfresh successful with matrixbecomes John Constantine in Constantine directed by Francis Lawrence and based on the comic book saga Hellblazers of DC Comics. John, with the habit of smoking, has the task of maintaining the balance between Heaven and Hell, stopping the demons who try – through possession – to cross the border. Besides Keanu Reeves, a great cast: Rachel Weisz, Shia LaBeouf and Tilda Swinton and Peter Stormare in two cult roles, Gabriele and Lucifer. Considered the coolest exorcist in cinema, the figure then inspired the 2014 television series of the same name. Meanwhile, we are (still) waiting for the announced sequel…

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3. The Witch (2015)

In our ranking there are not only exorcists, but also possessions. And then we could not fail to mention another modern cult, namely The Witch Of Robert Eggerswhich marked the debut of Anya Taylor-Joy. A stylized horror, which tells a popular legend: we are in New England in 1630, when a family – removed from the community – is targeted by dark forces. The tone is never exaggerated, the staging is subdued and the nuance is more dramatic than merely supernatural, but the possession of little Caleb will then be effective who, before dying in a spasm of excruciating pain, will spit out a whole apple. Yes, just the symbol of original sin.

4. The Exorcism of Emily Rose (2005)

Scott Derrickson before Doctor Strange? Here he is behind the camera for The Exorcism of Emily Rose. A film that contains two: horror and procedural. Yes, because the story, inspired by true events, tells of the lawyer Erin Bruner (Laura Linney) and her defense against Father Moore (Tom Wilkinson) who involuntarily killed the student Emily (Jennifer Carpenter) during an exorcism. The comparison between the atheist Erin and Father Moore is interesting, as is the construction based on flashbacks that retrace the shocking and dramatic facts. Moore’s character, well played by a champion like Tom Wilkinson, is an exorcist disillusioned and crushed by the weight of the Church, but intent on demonstrating his honesty.

5. The Ritual (2011)

From Odin to Hannibal, Anthony Hopkins, in his career, he has played a bit of all the roles. And he certainly could not miss the part of an exorcist, namely the Jesuit Lucas Trevant ne The riteinspired by the essay The rite. True story of an exorcist today by Matt Baglio. The plot? It revolves around Michael Kovak (Colin O’Donoghue), who enters the seminary to escape his father more than by vocation. In Rome he will be indoctrinated by the priest Lucas, an unorthodox priest who will accompany him in exploring the more restless sides of the Faith. An eccentric exorcist that of Sir Anthony Hopkins for a horror movie casual and effective.

6. Requiem (2006)

Same story, two different angles for two completely different films. The story of Anneliese Michel, a student afflicted with depression and epileptic seizures, and died of malnutrition, undergoing over sixty exorcisms, is also told by Hans-Christian Schmid in Requiem

, one year after The Exorcism of Emily Rose. But if Derrickson’s film had a Hollywood appeal, the 2006 work, produced in Germany, focuses more on the double track of possession and mental illness, opting for a more analytical and staid pace, avoiding the stylistic features of classic horror . Remarkable interpretation of Sandra Huller in the role of the protagonist. She is so good as to win the Silver Bear at the Berlin Film Festival.

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7. Set Me Free (2016)

Sifting through the video library of exorcists and possessions, a particular and curious operation emerges. set me free, 2016 documentary directed by Federica Di Giacomo, which won the Horizons award at the Venice Film Festival. A documentary that takes us to Sicily, to discover Father Cataldo, one of the most popular exorcists on the island. The work follows him in his daily life, in his relationship with the faithful, and with the many who request a consultation. All wrapped up in simplicity and an (in)voluntary dose of light humour. Three years of research and a constant attention, divided by the director: the religious and profane aspects, the contemporary world and the ancient one.

8. The Exorcist III (1990)

A third chapter, set fifteen years after the first memorable film, which by nature and conception could live and survive even disconnected from the saga. Why The Exorcist III by William Peter Blatty (author of the book and screenplay de The Exorcist) is first of all an excellent horror thriller, profoundly marked by a post-production which has forced the director to have moments of possession, despite the fact that the plot follows the investigation of Lieutenant William F. Kinderman – a character who already appeared in the first film -, grappling with two brutal crimes that seem to refer to the Gemini Killer, a crazy murderer who died years earlier. The inspiration came directly from the Zodiac Killer. For the case, Lieutenant Kinderman, played by George C. Scott, will join Father Dyer (Ed Flanders). The return to the stage of Father Karras is legendary, in a very, very significant appearance. And very scary.

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9. Let’s End It (2013)

What does the ramshackle (but latently disturbing) film by Evan Goldberg and Seth Rogen have to do with exorcists? It does come in! Why Let’s get this over with, in its explosive no-sense aura (six friends stuck in a house, while the Apocalypse is raging outside!), contains an irresistible exorcism scene, which pays direct homage to William Friedkin’s film. Let’s find Jonah Hill, demon-possessed and green-eyed, growling and wriggling as Jay Baruchel tries to exorcise him with a crucifix. One of the funniest moments in the film for one of cinema’s most sculptural possessions.

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10. Beetlejuice – Piggy Sprite (1998)

Closing our ranking of the best Exorcists in cinema could only be him: the bio-exorcist of Tim Burtoninterpreted by Michael Keaton. Beetlejuice – Piggy Spriteone of the director’s most beloved films Batman, and emblem of 1980s cinema, has as its protagonist a figure competing with the usual exorcist, turning the concept of possession and liberation on its head. Keaton is in fact the voracious (in every sense) Betelgeuse who, by profession, is a bio-exorcist. What does it mean? He is a ghost who drives away humans to give peace to spirits and demons. Tim Burton’s Black Fable and Film Poster, Beetlejuice it then gave birth to a Broadway musical and an animated series, curated by the director himself.