this film separates from other films about exorcism because it goes into depth about real exorcisms through the observations of the journalist Matt Baglio who wrote the book entitled The Rite: The Making of a Modern Exorcist, and the experience based on that of Reverend Gary Thomas. A novel that explores the misconceptions of what exorcism is about, from disbelievers in demons/the devil, least of all in possession by them, who takes a course at a Vatican university, one as requested by his bishop, the other studying in journalism, and who both changed their view on exorcism altogether. however, just because they did this doesn't mean one should make judgment against them in a negative way, because that's not what it's all about. nor is it about believing, or glorifying god. there've been many exorcisms in the past, and Baglio was present in over twenty of them. it's simply about a story of how these people came to believe in this evil taking the form of demonic possession. however despite this, it is rare to find a film that explores what real exorcism is like for priests dealing with them. how one interprets that is up to the individual to decide. often novels are better than the film, but does that mean the film deserves a poor rating? certainly for this film, i believe not. it's really good for what it is.
onto the film, it isn't a horror movie as much as it is suspense. it's about a young male, Michael Kovak (Colin O'Donoghue) who originally enters a college for the education of the priesthood to get a free college degree. after his ordination, he writes a resignation letter to his superior Father Matthew (Toby Jones) due to a lack of faith he has had since childhood after the loss of his mother. however, Father Matthew recommends he go to the Vatican City instead and take a course in exorcism and that if he still wants to resign after that, he's free to leave, despite Father Matthew believing the priesthood to be Michael's true calling after an experience he saw him in. in Rome, Michael meets a woman named Angelina (Alice Braga), who he later learns is a reporter writing her piece on exorcism, as she believes in the supernatural/demonic possession after the experience of her brother at his age of nineteen. Father Xavier (Ciarán Hinds) teaches the class, but upon seeing that Michael is a skeptic, tells Michael to see Father Lucas (Anthony Hopkins) to see if that will change his mind. Father Lucas has a demon-possessed young pregnant girl, a 16 yr old by the name of Rosaria (Marta Gastini), where it is later discovered that her father raped her, and that it was the cause for the demon to possess her. that demon also takes shape of a mule. Father Lucas blames himself for her later death, and suddenly the same demon who had killed Rosaria enters him. before this, mysterious things start happening, like the incident with the frogs. and the incident with the bracelet that keeps coming back to Michael. and the knowledge of a little boy about something that hadn't happened yet. there are flashbacks of Michael's life with his father (Rutger Hauer) and a weird phone call Michael gets about him. from then it's about whether he believes. throughout the film he doubts, as he tries to convince himself of an explanation behind every situation he encounters.
what perhaps some people would not like is that it feels as though the makers are more leaning towards it being real, and perhaps don't approve of the ending. Anthony Hopkins is great, but it's Marta Gastini who shines in her role. Colin does well for his role. i don't think this is a film that will change one's mind in demonic possession nor restore faith/reconnect with the church, and it will certainly be a disappointment to people who love watching films about exorcists, but for those who don't set expectations, perhaps their opinion about this film will vary
onto the film, it isn't a horror movie as much as it is suspense. it's about a young male, Michael Kovak (Colin O'Donoghue) who originally enters a college for the education of the priesthood to get a free college degree. after his ordination, he writes a resignation letter to his superior Father Matthew (Toby Jones) due to a lack of faith he has had since childhood after the loss of his mother. however, Father Matthew recommends he go to the Vatican City instead and take a course in exorcism and that if he still wants to resign after that, he's free to leave, despite Father Matthew believing the priesthood to be Michael's true calling after an experience he saw him in. in Rome, Michael meets a woman named Angelina (Alice Braga), who he later learns is a reporter writing her piece on exorcism, as she believes in the supernatural/demonic possession after the experience of her brother at his age of nineteen. Father Xavier (Ciarán Hinds) teaches the class, but upon seeing that Michael is a skeptic, tells Michael to see Father Lucas (Anthony Hopkins) to see if that will change his mind. Father Lucas has a demon-possessed young pregnant girl, a 16 yr old by the name of Rosaria (Marta Gastini), where it is later discovered that her father raped her, and that it was the cause for the demon to possess her. that demon also takes shape of a mule. Father Lucas blames himself for her later death, and suddenly the same demon who had killed Rosaria enters him. before this, mysterious things start happening, like the incident with the frogs. and the incident with the bracelet that keeps coming back to Michael. and the knowledge of a little boy about something that hadn't happened yet. there are flashbacks of Michael's life with his father (Rutger Hauer) and a weird phone call Michael gets about him. from then it's about whether he believes. throughout the film he doubts, as he tries to convince himself of an explanation behind every situation he encounters.
what perhaps some people would not like is that it feels as though the makers are more leaning towards it being real, and perhaps don't approve of the ending. Anthony Hopkins is great, but it's Marta Gastini who shines in her role. Colin does well for his role. i don't think this is a film that will change one's mind in demonic possession nor restore faith/reconnect with the church, and it will certainly be a disappointment to people who love watching films about exorcists, but for those who don't set expectations, perhaps their opinion about this film will vary