Year: 2023
Runtime: 103 min
Language: English
Director: Julius Avery
Father Gabriele Amorth, Vatican's leading exorcist, investigates a disturbing case involving a young man seemingly possessed by a powerful demonic entity. As he explores the situation, Amorth uncovers a long-hidden secret within the Vatican, suggesting a deeper, more sinister plot. He must confront not only the forces of evil, but also the institution he serves, to protect the innocent and confront a threat to the Church itself.
Warning: spoilers below!
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Read the complete plot breakdown of The Pope's Exorcist (2023), including all key story events, major twists, and the ending explained in detail. Discover what really happened—and what it all means.
Father Gabriele Amorth, the Pope’s personal exorcist, is an earthy man with a sense of humor who arrives in a quaint Italian village to address a case of alleged possession. Joined by the local priest, he enters a room where a man is tied up. During the exorcism, Amorth boldly names the spirit as Satan and forcefully sends it into a pig brought for the ritual. In a shocking turn of events, he then shoots the pig, landing himself in hot water with a Church tribunal for acting without authorization. Among the tribunal members is the friendly Bishop Lumumba, but there’s also the skeptical Cardinal Sullivan, who is doubtful about the legitimacy of exorcisms and demonic possession. Defending his actions, Amorth asserts that evil is real, explaining he merely staged a psychodrama to assist the troubled man. Feeling disgusted, he storms out of the tribunal.
Soon after, the Pope sends him to investigate a distressed young boy named Henry in Spain. Accompanied by his mother Julia and rebellious sister Amy, Henry travels from America to claim an old abbey—his father’s bequest after a tragic car accident that left him mute. The family’s attempts to restore the abbey are interrupted by a foreboding fire. Spiraling into bizarre behavior, Henry is soon revealed to be possessed by a malicious entity. Desperate for help, he calls for a priest, but when local Father Esquibel arrives, he is met with an unexpected rejection, leading to Henry’s infamous statement: “Wrong priest.”
When Amorth arrives, he reluctantly enlists the untrained Esquibel to assist him, who acknowledges Amorth’s reputation without having read his acclaimed works. Their initial efforts are comically misguided as Esquibel stumbles through the exorcism process. The situation escalates when Henry’s demon begins to affect Amy, adding tension to the already fraught environment. In the course of their endeavors, Amorth learns that Julia has strayed from faith, yet he ultimately persuades her to pray, hoping for a miracle.
Meanwhile, disturbances in Rome force the Pope into hospitalization while he peruses documents relating to Henry’s case. Amorth uncovers a hidden well on the abbey grounds that leads to a sealed-off area inhabited by ancient malevolence. Discovering that a creator of the Spanish Inquisition had been possessed, he pieces together that those transgressions were hidden by the Church. He identifies Henry’s demon as Asmodeus, a critical development for the exorcism.
As their connection deepens through the sharing of personal burdens—Amorth’s survivor’s guilt from World War II and Esquibel’s past indiscretions—the duo remains powerless against the demon. Their combined visions of haunting memories emphasize their failures, and Amorth’s willingness to sacrifice himself becomes the key to confronting his adversary. The power struggle takes a dark turn when Amorth attempts to take his life, but Asmodeus thwarts this, preferring a more insidious approach by trying to corrupt the sanctity of the Church itself.
With Esquibel’s assistance, Amorth finally repels the demon, conquering the dark manifestations tied to both men’s traumas. As the Pope recovers, so does Henry, victorious and rejuvenated. The two exorcists find themselves welcomed in Rome, where Lumumba replaces the disgruntled cardinal who fled to Guam. They gain access to exclusive Church archives, leading to their assignment of combating malevolent forces worldwide with the help of a treasure map uncovered by Amorth. With a twinkle in his eye, Amorth exclaims, “We’re going to Hell!”
The film concludes with a poignant display of Amorth’s legacy as a papal exorcist, noting his authorship of several well-regarded books. A humorous after-credits image of the real Amorth playfully sticking out his tongue encapsulates his vibrant spirit, alongside his birth and death dates.
Last Updated: October 27, 2024 at 18:37
Still wondering what the ending of The Pope's Exorcist (2023) really means? Here’s a spoiler-heavy breakdown of the final scene, major twists, and the deeper themes that shape the film’s conclusion.
In the climax of “The Pope’s Exorcist,” Father Amorth is faced with the ultimate battle against the demon Asmodeus, who has possessed young Henry and seeks to use him as part of his plan to unleash chaos from Hell. Inside Amorth, the demon fights to take over his body as he struggles desperately to maintain control. To stop Asmodeus, Amorth decides that the only way to prevent the demon from invading the Church and causing destruction is for him to sacrifice himself. He attempts to kill himself by hanging, but the demon’s influence prevents him from completing the act.
Realizing that direct self-destruction won’t work, Amorth returns to the crypt where he faces a dark pool of water—serving as a gateway to Hell—and a second demon in the form of a woman resembling Adella, Father Esquibel’s lost love. With Esquibel’s help and the aid of Latin prayers, holy medals, and the crucifix, they combine their faith and spiritual power to defeat Asmodeus. The demons are cast back into the depths of Hell, and the crypt is sealed to prevent their return.
After this intense confrontation, peace is restored, and the Vatican celebrates their victory with Father Amorth and Esquibel being honored for their bravery. Julia successfully leaves the haunted abbey with her children, who are now free from the demon’s influence, and the Church re-consecrates the site, sealing it from any future demonic invasions. However, the film hints that other such spots in the world still remain open, leaving open the possibility that demons could return elsewhere.
The ending shows a real photograph of Father Gabriele Amorth, emphasizing that he continued his work as the Chief Exorcist until his death in 2016. This final touch grounds the supernatural story in real-life history, suggesting that faith and courage can stand against even the most powerful evil.
Last Updated: June 25, 2025 at 09:00
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