Review | Film review: The Crucifixion – exorcism drama trades real-life horrors for cheap scares
Inspired by a real-life story in which a mentally ill nun was killed in an ‘exorcism’, this film fails to live up to its potential. Director Xavier Gens overuses jump scares, resulting in a lack of atmosphere or tension
1/5 stars
The Crucifixion is inspired by the “Tanacu exorcism” of 2005, in which a Romanian nun died during an exorcism. When it was revealed that she had been mentally ill, the priest and four nuns responsible were convicted of murder.
When a Romanian priest is arrested for killing a young nun during an exorcism, the case piques the interest of Nicole (Sophie Cookson), a New York reporter wrestling with her own faith. At the scene, she witnesses the power the Church wields over the local community, but also senses a lurking supernatural presence with malevolent intentions.
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Director Xavier Gens scored a horror hit with his 2007 debut Frontier(s), but has since struggled to maintain his form. The concept of a demon jumping from body to body, possessing different characters over the course of the film, is an original and intriguing one, but The Crucifixion creates little tension or atmosphere.