The Demonic Revival: Exorcism Horror's Rise and Fall
Explore the decline in popularity of exorcism horror in modern cinema and the impact of films like 'The Pope's Exorcist' and 'Prey for the Devil' Are audiences still intrigued by this once-popular subgenre or is it truly dead?
What Is Prey For The Devil About?
Exorcism horror movies seem to be a dime a dozen these days, with many failing to capture the same groundbreaking and shocking elements that made The Exorcist a classic in 1973. Recent releases like The Pope's Exorcist and Prey For The Devil have done little to excite audiences with their tired storylines and bland characters. It begs the question, is there still a market for this subgenre? With the resurgence of horror in popular culture, it seems that slashers may continue to dominate while the demonic possession film struggles to recapture the magic of The Exorcist.
Sister Ann (Jacqueline Byers) is a nun who has been allowed to learn the Rite of Exorcism due to her unusual gift, even though it's not part of her training. In the 2022 release of Prey for the Devil, Ann discovers the truth about the child she gave up years ago, who has been taken over by an evil spirit. As a result, Ann becomes a central figure in the fight against this demonic force.
Unfortunately, Prey for the Devil fails to captivate audiences with its lackluster plot and underdeveloped characters. Its low ratings on Rotten Tomatoes, with a 17% Tomatometer score based on 35 reviews and a 69% Audience Score based on over 250 ratings, reflect its shortcomings. The storyline moves at a sluggish pace, the characters are forgettable, and the film's contribution to the subgenre is uncertain. Although Ann and Natalie (Posy Taylor) share a connection, the movie fails to fully explore their relationship, resulting in a generic and vague experience.
Children possessed by evil spirits have become a staple in exorcism horror films. The idea of innocent and sweet children being taken over by malevolent entities is meant to evoke fear and dread in audiences. Viewers are meant to root for the protagonist to figure out what is happening and put an end to the evil. However, while classics like The Exorcist continue to terrify audiences to this day, newer films such as Prey For The Devil fail to leave a lasting impression. There seems to be something missing, which prevents this subgenre of horror from reaching its full potential.
What Is The Pope's Exorcist About?
Is Exorcism Horror No Longer Popular?
The Pope's Exorcist, based on Father Gabriele Amorth's books, An Exorcist: More Stories and An Exorcist Tells His Story, was released in April 2023. The film features Russell Crowe as the main character, an exorcist working for the pope. Although attempts were made to make the character stand out by giving him a quirky and free-spirited personality, he fails to impress the audience with his unlikable demeanor. As the story unfolds, a possessed Henry (Peter DeSouza-Feighoney) becomes the center of attention, and Father Amorth attempts to uncover the truth.
Unfortunately, these types of horror movies often suffer from mundane plotlines. They tell stories of demonic possession and the struggle to rid evil spirits, but they lack the terrifying visual elements found in typical horror movies. The Pope's Exorcist is slow-paced, with more emphasis on dialogue than action. As a result, audiences may find it difficult to sit through the entire film, much like Prey For The Devil.
Exorcism horror movies have lost their appeal in recent years. While The Exorcist's controversial history is intriguing, the majority of new releases fail to leave a lasting impression. Few films about demonic possession manage to be truly scary and captivating, leaving audiences feeling like they've seen it all before. It appears that the exorcism horror subgenre has lost its edge and no longer holds the same allure it once did.
The upcoming sequel of The Exorcist serves as an example. Despite David Gordon Green's Halloween trilogy failing to impress horror enthusiasts, the director is now working on a legacy sequel. However, the question remains: is this what audiences truly desire? The original movie was a cherished classic because it brought something new, unforeseen, and truly terrifying to the genre. One of the most unforgettable scenes in horror movie history involves Regan MacNeil's (Linda Blair) head twisting around while she sits in her bed in her nightgown. It's difficult to fathom whether the new movie will be able to match that level of impact.
