Inspired by the actual files of Father Gabriele Amorth, Chief Exorcist of the Vatican (Academy Award®-winner Russell Crowe), The Pope’s Exorcist follows Amorth as he investigates a young boy’s terrifying possession and ends up uncovering a centuries-old conspiracy the Vatican has desperately tried to keep hidden.
Directed by Julius Avery, who helmed 2018’s OVERLORD, starring Jovan Adepo, Wyatt Russell, and Sylvester Stallone in the excellent SAMARITAN, streaming on Prime Video, his new feature film opens in cinemas on April 14.
The film features Daniel Zovatto, Alex Essoe and Franco Nero. It is based on the books “An Exorcist Tells His Story” and “An Exorcist: More Stories” by Fr. Gabriele Amorth.
This film is rated R by the Motion Picture Association for the following reasons: violent content, language, sexual references and some nudity.
Henry (Peter DeSouza-Feighoney), Father Gabriele Amorth (Russell Crowe), Father Esquibel (Daniel Zovatto) and Julia (Alex Essoe) in Screen Gems THE POPES EXORCIST.Father Gabriele Amorth (Russell Crowe, right) in Screen Gems THE POPES EXORCIST.
“Many years ago, a battle between good and evil was waged between Samaritan and Nemesis, twin brothers who became sworn enemies. They were freakishly strong, but they unintentionally hurt people. The residents of Granite City grew to fear the brothers. They waited until the family slept, then boarded up their home and set it on fire. The parents were burned alive, but the twins were unscathed. Samaritan grew to fight for justice and be a protector. But Nemesis, consumed by revenge, wanted the world to suffer.
“Samaritan tried to contain his brother’s fury, so Nemesis forged a powerful weapon, a hammer that he poured all his hate and rage into. It was the only thing that could destroy Samaritan.
“Samaritan and Nemesis died in a blast during the battle. It was a story everyone in Granite City has been told. But I believe Samaritan is still alive…”
SAMARITAN is the epic but gritty hero film about a hero and a villain who were two sides of the same coin, a boy in need of a father figure, and a city hungry for hope.
Director Julius Avery of OVERLORD brings a new take on the superhero in hiding. Set in Granite City and based on the Mythos Comics series released in July 2014, it’s a good story and you won’t see the twist coming until the end.
In 2014, comic book writer Bragi Schut (known for his screenplay of 2011’s Season of the Witch) launched his own look into the world of superheroes in ‘Samaritan’ by showing what happens after the hero dies. In the film adaptation, the hero’s scars are deep, his heart is decent, and he knows how to put mythical skills to use for a city in need.
Granite City is in need of such a hero. Once, they looked to Samaritan, a mythic force whose fight 25 years ago with his brother, Nemesis, resulted in the citizens cheering Nemesis’ death — before Samaritan mysteriously disappeared, believed by many to be dead. For decades the myth grew of how Samaritan hoped to make Granite City a better place, and could help it now as darkness descends on it.
For in the present day, Granite City has become overrun with corruption, greed, and evil, led by a gang lord named Cyrus (Pilou Asbæk) who idolizes Nemesis — but a 13-year-old boy named Sam (Javon “Wanna” Walton) holds out hope that Samaritan truly is living amongst the people, incognito, until the moment he’ll be needed.
In SAMARITAN, cinema legend and icon Sylvester Stallone stars as Joe Smith, a grizzled Granite City garbageman that Sam thinks is the hero who disappeared, and who could help the city defeat Cyrus. Joe spends his time collecting junk and being solitary, and doesn’t react well when Sam starts hanging around and eventually steals a scrapbook from Joe’s clutter-filled apartment. Sam has been searching the crowds and strangers he meets for the hero he knows is there … and is inadvertently drawn into the world of Cyrus’ violent Granite City street gang. With crime on the rise and the city on the brink of chaos, Sam makes it his mission to coax his neighbor out of hiding to save the city from ruin.
The only other person who believes Sam is Albert Castler (Martin Starr – Spider-Man: No Way Home), a journalist who hears Sam’s stories of Samaritan being alive and has his own ideas. Castler is a journalist and bookstore owner who has written what he believes is the quintessential book about Samaritan and he represents the voice of conspiracy theories. Albert’s a character who really wants to understand the truth about how times were better when Samaritan was alive, and if he can identify what happened to Samaritan, then perhaps in a small way he can make Granite City better in the process.
Looking more like it is set in Detroit, even down to the Robocop arcade game, the film sticks closely to the comic book and Stallone is terrific. He is the hero who exemplifies self-sacrifice, heroism, honor, integrity, trying to do the right thing even when he desperately wants to give up and disappear in a crowd. The other stand out is Asbæk, who exudes magnetism and venom needed to portray Cyrus. Shameik Moore (Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse) also appears in the film.
The street-level fight sequences in SAMARITAN, choreographed by supervising stunt coordinator Justin Yu (F9: The Fast Saga, Gemini Man), are innovative, while the script, filled with one-liners and dead-pan humor, is funny.
Avery’s film is a welcome change from the ultra-colorful, mega-powered, flashy heroes who dominate the multiplex. He delivers a hero movie and an anti-hero movie at the same time. The animated prologue that sets up the story of good versus evil is gorgeous and SAMARITAN is filled with an exciting score by Jed Kurzel and Kevin Kiner.
The film had the potential of being a huge box office hit had it been released to audiences at their local cinemas, however you can see Sylvester Stallone back in action in SAMARITAN, now playing globally on Prime Video.
Prime video has released this first look at Sylvester Stallone’s new film SAMARITAN.
Stallone says, “I love action films that also have heart. I wanted to be involved with Samaritan because this story has many layers that I think people can relate to. It’s something of a morality tale that is also very exciting to watch. We are thrilled that this will be seen globally on Prime Video where my fans and all audiences can enjoy it together around the world.”
SAMARITAN is directed by Julius Avery who previously heled OVERLOARD and SON OF A GUN
Thirteen-year-old Sam Cleary (Javon “Wanna” Walton) suspects that his mysterious and reclusive neighbor Mr. Smith (Sylvester Stallone) is actually a legend hiding in plain sight. Twenty years ago, Granite City’s super-powered vigilante, Samaritan, was reported dead after a fiery warehouse battle with his rival, Nemesis. Most believe Samaritan perished in the fire, but some in the city, like Sam, have hope that he is still alive. With crime on the rise and the city on the brink of chaos, Sam makes it his mission to coax his neighbor out of hiding to save the city from ruin.
Starring Sylvester Stallone, Javon “Wanna” Walton, Pilou Asbæk, Dascha Polanco, and Moises Arias, SAMARITAN will debut on Prime Video in more than 240 countries and territories worldwide on August 26, 2022.
Rating: PG-13 for strong violence and strong language
Check out the newly released trailer and poster for A24’s action-packed-thriller SON OF A GUN starring Brenton Thwaites (THE GIVER), Alicia Vikander (ANNA KARENINA) and Ewan McGregor (BEGINNERS) available exclusively on DIRECTV Dec. 11th and in theaters January 16th.
Julius Avery delivers a masterfully crafted film in an impressive directorial debut, exploring the treacherous games in the criminal world. McGregor gives a standout performance as criminal mastermind Brendan Lynch along with exciting new stars including one-to-watch Thwaites and a captivating Vikander.
In the criminal world, life is like a game of chess. To gain control, you have to stay a few moves ahead of your opponent. Lose that control, and you risk becoming a pawn in their very dangerous game.
During a six-month stint inside a West Australian prison, rookie criminal JR (BRENTON THWAITES) meets the smart and enigmatic Brendan Lynch (EWAN McGREGOR). In exchange for protection on the inside, JR agrees to help Brendan get outside, hooking up with the influential Sam Lennox (JACEK KOMAN) to orchestrate a daring prison escape that frees Brendan, and inmates Sterlo (MATT NABLE) and Merv (EDDIE BAROO).
JR is rewarded for his efforts, and with a taste of the high life and flirtations with Sam’s beautiful girl Tasha (ALICIA VIKANDER), he gets sucked deeper into Brendan’s criminal world. But whose game is he playing?
Becoming a father-like mentor to JR, Brendan convinces him to join on another high stakes job – robbing a Kalgoorlie gold mine. But with millions of dollars at stake, it’s hard to tell whom JR can trust, and whose side each player is actually on. And with his feelings for Tasha increasing, and his faith in Brendan decreasing, JR must figure out his next move… before its check, mate.
