This report contains spoilers for 2023's The Pope's Exorcist.

2023 is quickly shaping up to be the year of good horror flicks. From M3GAN (which has already been greenlit for a 2025 sequel) to Knock at the Cabin and upcoming films, such as Insidious 5, horror fans have no shortage of options to pick from this year.

One scary movie that's now in theater is none other than The Pope's Exorcist. Although this film only hit the big screen just last week, it's certainly got people talking and sharing their thoughts.

What to know about The Pope's Exorcist

This particular horror film is inspired by the real-life Catholic priest/exorcist Father Gabriele Amorth. Despite the real person being an inspiration for the character played by Russell Crowe, the film certainly deviates from the actual events described in Amorth's books.

The Pope's Exorcist centers around a priest (Amorth) who goes to Spain with the mission of helping a young boy, Henry, who has come under demonic possession. Throughout the film, viewers learn that Henry's past trauma of watching his father die in a car accident made his soul more vulnerable to demonic possession.

Furthermore, Asmodeus, the powerful demon that takes control of Henry, also targets Amorth and his protege, Father Esquibel, by using their past sins, guilt, and trauma against them.

Though The Pope's Exorcist truly takes a turn when the plot twist arrives. It is here that viewers learn a previous exorcist became possessed himself, thus allowing demonic forces to take over the church.

Relevant themes in The Pope's Exorcist and more

Viewers of this movie receive a series of relevant themes that contribute to the plot and provoke internal thought.

The notion of demonic entities deriving power from individuals' traumas and sources of guilt and shame remains impossible to miss. Likewise, "your sins will seek you out" stands as a frequent one-liner of The Pope's Exorcist.

On Twitter, many watchers of the film have shared their reviews and takeaways. A lot of positive feedback is definitely out there. Furthermore, fans of The Pope's Exorcist now hope a sequel will come later down the line.

The greatest determining factor in a potential sequel will likely be how well The Pope's Exorcist does at the box office.