The Exorcism of God opens with Father Peter Williams (Will Beinbrink) being pushed into performing his first exorcism against a particularly nasty demon named Balban. Father Peter believes that time is running out and that he has to act quickly to save the possessed girl, Magali (Irán Castillo). Father Peter is able to expel the demon, but at great cost to his faith and conscience. Eighteen years, Father Peter attempts to bury his past under various charitable deeds for the poor and children in the Mexican town he lives in. His misdeed comes back to haunt him, however, when Balban possesses another woman in the town, with a very deep connection to Peter. 

While The Exorcism of God may be an attempt on the part of director/co-writer Alejandro Hidalgo to shine a light on the many sins of the church itself, the movie works better when viewed through a less serious lens. The title is exceptionally evocative and is probably a better indication of what the movie really is: a fun, gory, over-the-top B film. Hidalgo not only has some incredibly effective scares and creepy imagery but constructs some set pieces that truly are white knuckle and clever in their execution.

The third act is a culmination of this B movie build-up, where Father Peter and his more experienced cohort Father Michael Lewis (Joseph Marcell) find themselves locked in a prison with a group of possessed female prisoners, on top of the main one. It’s an audacious and highly effective setup, as they fight demon after demon in this real-world manifestation of hell. 

Hidalgo also makes very interesting use of Catholic idols and imagery, turning them into horrifying physical entities that are truly nightmare-worthy stuff. There is plenty of crosses and holy water and rosaries, but it’s the images of Jesus and other prominent Catholic figures turned upside down that truly stay with you. On more than one occasion over the course of the movie, they produced great jump scares, completely catching this viewer off guard.  

William Beinbrink is stoically effective as Father Peter. There is a weariness he exhibits well from the burden he carries. Beinbrink is also convincing in the exorcism scenes themselves; they are physical and intense, but Beinbrink musters up the energy and emotion required of such scenes. Joseph Marcell, best remembered for his role as Geoffrey the butler on The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, brings both a veteran presence and some levity to the story. His centered presence is a great contrast to Beinbrink’s coiled spring performance, and when they are onscreen together, the movie truly comes together. 

If you’re able to take some of the leaps of faith the movie asks you to, it’s a truly enjoyable, crazy experience. Hidalgo borrows heavily from the granddaddy of them all, The Exorcist, and adds operatic emotion and action to it. It hits much more than it misses, and for that, The Exorcism of God is a ride worth taking.

7 out of 10