This new supernatural horror film departs from the usual head-twisting, vomiting and incantations that we’ve come to expect whenever the devil rides out on screen. Writer-director Miller is the son of Jason Miller, who played Father Karras in William Friedkin’s 1973 classic The Exorcis t , and his film clearly references this heritage and all the lore that surrounds the Freidkin movie. The story begins in intriguing fashion, with a man reciting his lines from a screenplay in what first appears to be an empty house.
In fact, it’s a movie set and he’s the actor due to play the priest in a new horror feature with the working title The Georgetown Project (Georgetown was the setting for the original Exorcist ). But just minutes into the film, the horror begins and he dies in grisly circumstances. The director, Peter (Adam Goldberg), must find a replacement – fast.
He turns to troubled actor Tony Miller ( Russell Crowe ). Tony is a recovering alcoholic and a bit of a shambling wreck. He also has a troubled relationship with the priesthood: he was once a choir boy, but it’s been 40 years since his last communion – and he is still traumatised by his experiences at the hands of an abusive priest.
His wife, whom we learn he treated very badly, has died of cancer, and his rebellious teenage daughter Lee (Ryan Simpkins) despises him. Meanwhile, his career has imploded and everyone is very surprised when he lands such an important role. Crowe excels at playing misfits like t.