Viewers of The Pope's Exorcist have warned others to only watch the movie 'in daylight'.
It's not the first time a horror film has attracted such attention. No scary movie screening is complete without a blanket to hide under.
Sometimes it gets even worse, especially when you're home alone. You go to bed afterwards and jump at every tiny noise, and don't want to turn your back to the bedroom door.
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But it seems The Pope Exorcist starring Russell Crowe may even be too terrifying to watch at night, never mind at home alone.
The new movie is supposedly based on true stories of exorcisms by the Vatican's own exorcist.
A summary released by the movie explains that it is 'inspired by the actual files of Father Gabriele Amorth, chief exorcist of the Vatican'.
Crowe stars as the Vatican's chief exorcist, who must carry out an exorcist on a child. However, it turns out that it goes deeper than it seems, and he uncovers a secret the Vatican has kept hidden away. Spooky stuff.
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For some viewers the warnings about just how scary the movie is were well-founded, with many admitting that it left them well and truly horrified.
One wrote: "Watched The Pope's Exorcist and mate let me tell you, it will f*** your head and give you the horror feels and not the jump scare kind which is worse. I suggest watching it during the daylight."
Another said: "The Pope's Exorcist looking like the best exorcist horror I've ever watched since the Paranormal Activity franchise."
Perhaps unsurprisingly, the International Association of Exorcists, which was co-founded by Fr Amorth himself, put out a statement blasting the film for inaccuracies, dismissing it as a 'splatter' film.
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It said it was 'insulting in regard to the state of suffering experienced by those who are victims of extraordinary action by the devil'.
It added: "The end result is to instill the belief that exorcism is an abnormal, monstrous and fearful phenomenon, whose only protagonist is the devil, whose violent reactions are faced with great difficulty; this is the exact opposite of what occurs with exorcisms celebrated in the Catholic Church."
So it wasn't a hit with actual exorcists, who claim to have exorcised real demons from people. That's hardly surprising given how things are exaggerated for dramatic effect.
Anyway, if you'll excuse me, I need to buy another lock for the front door. And a night light.
The Pope's Exorcist is available to stream now on Amazon Video and Apple TV.
Topics: TV and Film
Kit Roberts