The Exorcist
The Exorcist
8.178%87%
A visiting actress in Washington, D.C., notices dramatic and dangerous changes in the behavior and physical makeup of her 12-year-old daughter. Meanwhile, a young priest at nearby Georgetown University begins to doubt his faith while dealing with his mother's terminal sickness. A frail, elderly priest recognizes the necessity for a show-down with an old demonic enemy.
Eric Bakke reviewedNovember 4, 2024
I had the unique experience of watching The Exorcist for the first time at Seattle’s Cinerama theater, the largest screen in the city, and—let me tell you—I almost died of fear. It was a matinee showing, and I was there all alone, which only made the whole thing feel even more terrifying. I kept looking over my shoulder the entire time, half-expecting some demonic entity to come out of the darkness and send me straight to Hell.
It’s easy to see why The Exorcist earned its reputation as one of the scariest movies ever made. The atmosphere, the unsettling tension, and those horrific possession scenes are so effective at creating pure dread. The film is brilliantly written and the performances, particularly by Linda Blair and Ellen Burstyn, are superb. You can see the emotional toll this story takes on everyone involved, especially the mother-daughter dynamic.
That said, there are a few scenes where the horror goes a bit too far, especially the infamous crucifix stabbing scene. It’s effective in making you squirm, but it also feels excessive, almost to the point of being gratuitous. Still, I can understand why the film had such a profound cultural impact at the time. It's no wonder church attendance in America skyrocketed following its release.
Ultimately, The Exorcist is a masterclass in horror, and the fact that it still holds up as one of the scariest films ever is a testament to its lasting impact.