Another year, another exorcism horror movie for Russell Crowe, who may have found a new go-to role in this stage of his career. But “The Exorcism” isn’t in the same vein as “The Pope’s Exorcist” from last year. Instead, Joshua John Miller‘s film takes a meta twist on the possession movie premise, with Crowe as an actor whose psychological demons (and maybe some real ones) are plaguing him while working on a horror movie set.
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And Miller knows how to spice up an exorcism movie like this: his father, Jason Miller, played Father Karras in William Friedkin‘s timeless adaptation of “The Exorcist.” But will the son catch lightning in a bottle behind the camera, much like his father did in what’s arguably his greatest onscreen performance?
Here’s an official synopsis for “The Exorcism,” courtesy of Vertical:
Academy Award-winner Russell Crowe stars as Anthony Miller, a troubled actor who begins to unravel while shooting a supernatural horror film. His estranged daughter, Lee, wonders if he’s slipping back into his past addictions or if there’s something more sinister at play.
Along with Crowe, “The Exorcism” also stars Ryan Sympkins, Sam Worthington, Chloe Bailey, and Adam Goldberg. David Hyde Pierce, Marcenae Lynette, Tracey Bonner, Samantha Mathis, and Adrian Pasdar round out the main cast.
Here’s a press blurb from Joshua John Miller about this upcoming film: “With “The Exorcism,” we wanted to update the possession movie formula (“Heroic man rescues woman from forces she’s too weak and simple to battle herself!”) for a world where no one group owns goodness and decency over another. We were gifted with an extraordinary cast and creative team to tell a story about how we’re all vulnerable to darkness, to perpetuating it, if we fail to face our demons. The devil may retaliate, but what other choice do we have?”
Does that sound like a solid twist on a tired formula, or is “The Exorcism” bound for failure? Find out when Joshua John Miller’s movie hits theaters on June 7. Watch a trailer for “The Exorcism” below.