Nerdly » HorRHIFFic 2025: ‘The Crucifix: Blood of the Exorcist’ Review

01st Mar2025

HorRHIFFic 2025: ‘The Crucifix: Blood of the Exorcist’ Review

by Phil Wheat

Stars: Hannaj Bang Bendz, Alex Walton, Nicholas Anscombe, Dean Kilbey, Julie Martis, Darren Le Fevre, Tom Carter, Fred Wright | Written by Robert Howgate | Directed by Stephen Roach

The Crucifix: Blood of the Exorcist, from director Stephen Roach and writer Robert Howgate, delves into the ever-popular themes of demonic possession and supernatural revenge. The story follows a young couple who, after moving into a new home, stumble upon a gruesome artefact buried in their backyard. Unbeknownst to them, this relic carries a dark history, triggering a series of nightmarish events that lead them down a path of terror, culminating in a harrowing exorcism.

The film attempts to balance the classic horror cliches of the exorcism movie but give it a modern twist. However, while its premise shows promise, it struggles to break new ground within the subgenre. The film relies too much on well-worn horror tropes seen in a myriad of similar films – ominous whispers, flickering lights, and grotesque imagery – but fails to introduce anything particularly innovative to set it apart from its predecessors.

One of the film’s key shortcomings is its character development. The central couple, whose lives spiral into chaos after their discovery, are never feel fully fleshed out. Their relationship also lacks depth, making it difficult to emotionally invest in their struggle – something that I think is necessary in these types of films to allow the story to make a real impact on the audience. Similarly, the supporting characters, including the priest brought in to perform the exorcism, are more like plot devices than fully realised individuals.

Visually, The Crucifix: Blood of the Exorcist looks amazing. From the opening sequence, set in the Viking era, the film succeeds in creating an eerie atmosphere and belies its modest budget. The cinematography leans into shadowy corridors, dim candlelit rooms, and unsettling close-ups that heighten the tension. The practical effects, particularly during possession scenes, are effectively grotesque, adding a sense of realism to the supernatural events.

Stephen Roach’s direction has moments of strength, especially in how suspense is built leading up to major scares. Some sequences are genuinely chilling, with well-timed sound design and eerie visuals. However, the pacing of the film is inconsistent. Some scenes drag unnecessarily, while others rush through important developments, diminishing their emotional weight. This uneven flow makes the film feel longer than its runtime suggests, which really hampered my enjoyment of the film in the end.

Overall, The Crucifix: Blood of the Exorcist is a serviceable but ultimately forgettable entry in the exorcism horror canon. While it offers moments of effective tension and some solid visual scares, it struggles with an uninspired plot, weak character development, and inconsistent pacing.