The Devil and Father Amorth
The Devil and Father Amorth

Movie spotlight

The Devil and Father Amorth

2018
Movie
68 min
English

William Friedkin attends an exorcism with Father Gabriele Amorth, as he treats an Italian woman named Cristina for the ninth time. Prior to filming, Cristina had purportedly been experiencing behavioural changes and “fits” that could not be explained by psychiatry, and which became worse during Christian holidays.

Insights

IMDb6.2/10
Rotten Tomatoes78%
Metacritic63/100
Google Users80%
Director: William FriedkinGenres: Documentary, Horror

Plot Summary

This documentary offers an intimate look at the life and work of Father Gabriele Amorth, the Vatican's chief exorcist. Directed by William Friedkin, the film features interviews with Father Amorth himself, as well as an actual exorcism. It explores the phenomenon of demonic possession and the Catholic Church's views on confronting it. The documentary blurs the lines between faith, fear, and the unknown.

Critical Reception

The film garnered attention for its direct and unvarnished portrayal of exorcism, often receiving praise for its boldness and Friedkin's directorial approach. While some critics found it unsettling and compelling, others questioned its sensationalism. Audience reactions were generally polarized, with many finding it to be a genuinely frightening and thought-provoking experience.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its unflinching and direct look at exorcism.

  • William Friedkin's directorial style creates a disturbing and compelling atmosphere.

  • Offers a unique and unsettling glimpse into the controversial practice of exorcism.

Google audience: Audiences found the documentary to be genuinely disturbing and impactful, appreciating its raw depiction of exorcism. Some viewers felt it was a credible and frightening exploration of faith and the supernatural, while others were left questioning the reality and presentation of the events.

Fun Fact

Director William Friedkin, known for 'The Exorcist', was granted unprecedented access to film an actual exorcism performed by Father Gabriele Amorth, making this one of the few documentaries to capture such an event.

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My Review

TMDB Reviews

1 reviews
sykobanana

sykobanana

Fascinating and thought provoking. This is not a perfect doco and there are a lot of things that could have improved it (like having no music at all, going into the background of Father Amorth and possession more). (Secretly, I wonder...