The Exorcist is brilliant, and easily one of my all-time favorite films in any genre. This movie actually kind of scares me! Every time I watch any portion of it, no matter the time of day.
It certainly gets under my skin; it’s relentlessly thrilling and so ruthless in its force and skill that it’s become one of those films that I study in terms of the nuts and bolts of its construction.
I’m not a believer in the idea of real-world demonic possession, but, the scenario certainly has made for more than a few memorable cinematic experiences; William Friedkin’s beyond intense vision is truly the stuff of nightmares.
Owen Roizman’s carefully measured cinematography puts you on edge immediately. The nearly wordless opening 20 minutes plunges the viewer into an exotic world with very little context.
As Max von Sydow’s priest unearths something terrible out in the desert. Ellen Burstyn was sensational as the actress/mother struggling with almost every facet of her life.
Her biggest problem is that her young daughter Regan, the show-stopping Linda Blair, has caught the eye of Pazuzu, an ancient demon.
Jason Miller’s tortured performance as Father Karras is some of the most emotionally affecting work in this milieu. Miller’s acting in this film has always resonated with me and has always seemed to be a cut above.
There’s an honest sense of tragedy to his character, to say nothing of the film’s final, brutal moments.
There’s a reason The Exorcist has endured as long as it has. It’s truly horrific in all the right ways, vulgar and nasty, never afraid to go to some truly dark and disturbing places, while still paying respect to classic genre tropes.
Our Rating
Summary
The Exorcist feels perfect from scene to scene, with each performance totally nailed by the incredible ensemble. All of the craft elements aligning to create one of the most visceral and truly horrifying visions of cinematic terror that’s ever been presented. My personal favorite version of this movie is the theatrical cut. Though the extended director’s cut, which I had the chance to see on the big screen many years ago, contains some wild stuff.
