The trailer for Russell Crowe's upcoming film, "The Pope's Exorcist," suggests the movie may not do justice to the Italian exorcist Father Gabriel Amorth or to the rite of exorcism as practiced in the Catholic Church, according to an organization of exorcists that Amorth himself helped found.
On March 7, the International Association of Exorcists expressed concern that the film appears to fall into the category of "splatter cinema," which it describes as a "sub-genre of horror."
According to the statement, the Vatican is filmed with a high-contrast "chiaroscuro" effect typical of film noir.
This gives the film a "Da Vinci Code" effect to instill in the audience the usual doubt:
"Who is the real enemy? The devil or the ecclesiastical 'power'?" said the exorcists' association.
While special effects are "inevitable" in any film about demonic possession, "everything is exaggerated, with striking physical and verbal manifestations, typical of horror films," the association stated.
"This way of recounting Don Amorth's experience as an exorcist, besides being contrary to historical reality, distorts and falsifies what is actually lived and experienced during the exorcism of truly possessed persons," said the association, which claims over 800 exorcist members and more than 120 auxiliary members worldwide.
"Furthermore, it is offensive regarding the state of suffering in which victims of an extraordinary action of the devil find themselves," adds the association's statement. The statement reacts to the release of the film's trailer and promises a more in-depth reaction upon the film's theatrical release on April 14.
Father Amorth, who died at age 91 in 2016, claimed to have performed around 100,000 exorcisms in his lifetime. He was perhaps the world's most famous exorcist and the author of numerous books, including "An Exorcist Tells His Story," which is said to have inspired the upcoming film.
Several of Amorth's books are published by the American publisher Sophia Institute Press. The publisher's recently released book, "The Pope's Exorcist: 101 Questions About Fr. Gabriele Amorth," is an interview in which the priest addresses many topics ranging from prayer to pop music.
Michael Lichens, editor and spokesperson for Sophia Institute Press, expressed agreement with the group of exorcists.
"The International Association of Exorcists is right to be concerned, and I am grateful for their words," Lichens told CNA.
"I hope viewers will remember that Father Amorth is a real person who left a great legacy and that perhaps a few moviegoers will seek to interview him or read his books."
"Padre Pio and Blessed Giacomo Alberione as mentors, as well as the Servant of God Candido Amantini, who was his teacher for the ministry of exorcism," he added.
"Father Amorth fought as a partisan in his youth and grew to combat a greater evil as an exorcist. His life is an inspiration, and I know his work and words will continue to touch many people."
Amorth was born in Modena, Italy, on May 1, 1925. In wartime, he was a soldier in the clandestine anti-fascist partisans. He was ordained a priest in 1951. He only became an exorcist in 1986, when Cardinal Ugo Poletti, vicar general of the Diocese of Rome, appointed him as diocesan exorcist.
The priest often made headlines for his comments on demonic forces. In a 2000 interview with the Sunday Telegraph, he said:
"I speak with the devil every day. I speak to him in Latin. He answers me in Italian. I fight with him, day after day, for 14 years."
The film "The Pope's Exorcist" claims to be "inspired by the actual files of the Vatican's chief exorcist." The Sony Pictures film stars New Zealand actor Russell Crowe as Amorth. Crowe's character sports a gray beard and speaks English with a pronounced accent.
"The majority of cases do not require exorcism," Amorth's character states in the film's first trailer. A cardinal explains that Crowe's character instead refers 98% of people seeking exorcism to doctors and psychiatrists.
"The remaining 2%... I call... evil," he adds.
The plot appears to concern Amorth's encounter with a particular demon. Crowe's character suggests the Church "has fought this demon before," but covered it up.
"We need to find out why," he says.
The trailer shows brief dramatic exorcism scenes, including a confrontation between Amorth and a young girl seemingly possessed by a demon.
According to the International Association of Exorcists, such a portrayal makes exorcism "a spectacle aimed at inspiring strong and unhealthy emotions, thanks to a gloomy scenography, with sound effects such that they inspire only anxiety, agitation, and fear in the viewer."
"The final result is to instill the conviction that exorcism is an abnormal, monstrous, and frightening phenomenon, whose sole protagonist is the devil, whose violent reactions can be faced with great difficulty," said the group of exorcists.
"This is exactly the opposite of what happens in the context of exorcism celebrated by the Catholic Church in obedience to the guidelines it has given."
CNA requested comment from Sony Pictures and the executive producer of "The Pope's Exorcist," Father Edward Siebert, SJ, but did not receive a response before publication.
Father Amorth co-founded the International Association of Exorcists with Father René Laurentin in 1994. In 2014, the Catholic Church recognized the group as a private association of the faithful.
The association trains exorcists and promotes their integration into local communities and normal pastoral care. It also aims to promote a "correct knowledge" of the ministry of exorcism and collaboration with medical and psychiatric experts competent in spirituality.
Exorcism is considered a sacramental, not a sacrament, of the Church. It is a liturgical rite that only a priest can perform.
Hollywood has made the subject a focus, notably in the 1973 film "The Exorcist," based on the novel by William Peter Blatty.
"Most films about Catholicism and spiritual warfare go for sensationalism," Lichens of Sophia Institute Press told CNA.
"Sensationalism and terror sell tickets. As a fan of horror movies, I can understand and even appreciate that. As a Catholic who has studied Father Amorth, however, I think this sensationalism distorts the important work of exorcism."
"On the other hand, 'The Exorcist' made the general public more curious about this little-known ministry. That is a good thing that has emerged, despite other reservations and concerns," he continued. "Yet, I wish a screenwriter and director would speak to exorcists and try to show the often day-to-day aspects of the ministry."
An unhealthy curiosity can be a problem, according to Lichens.
"When I work as a spokesperson for Amorth's books, I am always concerned about inspiring curiosity about the demonic," he told CNA.
"As Christians, we know we have nothing to fear from the demonic, but curiosity could drive some to seek out the supernatural or the demonic. Father Amorth has dozens of stories of people who ended up afflicted after séances."
Father Lichens encouraged curious individuals to read other writings by Father Amorth, some of which are excerpted on the Catholic Exchange website. Sophia Institute Press has published "Diary of an American Exorcist" by Monsignor Stephen Rosetti and "The Exorcism Files" by American lay Catholic Adam Blai.
"Above all, Father Amorth was involved in a ministry of healing," said Lichens.
"Those of us who have read Amorth might have been excited to read first-hand accounts of spiritual warfare, but readers quickly see a man whose heart was always full of love for those who sought his help," he added.
The International Association of Exorcists, for its part, praised the 2016 documentary "Deliver Us," stating that it shows "what exorcism actually is in the Catholic Church and 'the authentic traits of a Catholic exorcist.'"
It shows exorcism as "a very joyful event," according to them, because by experiencing "the presence and action of Christ the Lord and the Communion of Saints," those who are "tormented by the extraordinary action of the devil gradually find liberation and peace."
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This article was originally published in English by Catholic World Report (Article Link). It is republished and translated with the author's permission.