Having only ever seen the first film and with a new one in theaters, I decided this was the perfect time to make my way through this franchise. Given there are multiple cuts of some of the installments, I made note of which versions I watched.
THE EXORCIST
(William Friedkin, 1973 - Theatrical Cut)
I believe my first viewing of this classic happened in the very late 90's when I was a teenager. I've always found the film to be somewhat overrated both as a film and "the scariest movie of all time". I'll credit this mostly to the fact that I don't find demonic possession particularly scary. There is no doubt, though, it's a very good film and a classic for a reason. It builds very well, with great characters played by terrific actors, and a final act that still hasn't been topped in the possession subgenre of horror. Though many have certainly tried. Ellen Burstyn plays an actress renting a Georgetown townhouse with her daughter (Linda Blair), who becomes possessed by a violent entity. Father Karras (Jason Miller, who doesn't get enough credit for his performance) has been slowly losing his religion when he becomes involved in the case, and the legendary Max von Sydow shows up in the titular role. Groundbreaking makeup and sound work, the film was a phenomenon upon release, and I've met people who even after all these years refuse to watch it. Happy 50th! GRADE: A-
THE EXORCIST II: THE HERETIC
(John Boorman, 1977 - 117 minute original theatrical cut.)
When I was younger, I would often hear this film regarded as one of the worst sequels of all-time. I'm not sure if the DVD generation reversed that, but it does seem like its gotten somewhat of a newfound appreciation despite it still not being good. It tries a lot of things, many of them not at all successful. But it's that rare sequel people can't accuse of being a copycat of the original. Father Lamont (Richard Burton) is called in to investigate the death of Father Merrin, and meets Regan, who is now under the care of a psychiatrist (Louise Fletcher). There's also telepathy, loads of glass, locusts, and the demon gets a name: Pazuzu. The film is an absolute mess, quite bad at times, but also never boring. Also with Ned Beatty, James Earl Jones, and Max von Sydow is seen in flashbacks. GRADE: C
THE EXORCIST III
(William Peter Blatty, 1990 - 110 minute theatrical cut.)
Easily the best of the follow-ups, the third part was directed by the original film's author. It was his second and last directorial film. A police lieutenant (George C. Scott) investigates a series of killings that are linked to a serial killer who was executed years earlier. Solid performances, several unnerving sequences, and an all-timer of a jump scare, but part three's exorcism feels forced into the storyline as do the connections to the original. There's a director's cut called Legion I would like to see, as apparently Blatty was unhappy with the theatrical version. Also with Jason Miller returning (somewhat) as Father Karras, as well as Scott Wilson and Brad Dourif. GRADE: B
EXORCIST: THE BEGINNING
(Renny Harlin, 2004)
DOMINION: PREQUEL TO THE EXORCIST
(Paul Schrader, 2005)
The behind the scenes story of these films is probably more interesting than either one. In late 2002, Schrader began filming a prequel to the classic film. After wrapping, Warner execs screened the film, hated it, and demanded reshoots. Schrader shot new footage, but Warner ultimately fired him off the project and decided to make an entirely new film. In late 2003, Harlin made his film, and it was released at the end of summer 2004. After that film bombed with critics and audiences, there was interest in what film Schrader would have made and he was given a small budget to complete the footage he had worked on and make a new cut. It was given a small release in the spring of 2005. Neither version is particularly good, but Dominion is better. Beginning has a laughable final act, while Dominion still feels semi-unfinished. The visual effects in both versions are pretty bad. Both versions follow the story of Father Merrin's (Stellan Skarsgård) time in Africa when he first encounters demonic possession. A small number of scenes are the same, and different actors show up as the same character. Beginning features Izabella Scorupco and James D'Arcy, while Dominion has Clara Bellar and Gabriel Mann. GRADES: Beginning: C-; Dominion: C+
THE EXORCIST: BELIEVER
(David Gordon Green, 2023)
The folks responsible for the hugely successful Halloween reboot of 2018 and its ill-conceived follow-ups take a stab at this franchise with middling results. Believer starts out strongly enough and for the first half or so, it looked to be a decent outing. However, once the possession stuff kicks in, there's far too much unintentional humor. Outside of the dual possessions, there isn't much new brought to the table. Leslie Odom Jr stars as a photographer who lost his wife in an earthquake in Haiti, but they were able to save her unborn child. 13 years later, the girl disappears with a fellow student only to return 3 days later with no understanding of the time lapse. In a matter of days, both girls exude bizarre behavior and you know the rest of it. The film brings back Ellen Burstyn, but wastes her. There's plans for 2 more, but don't be surprised if neither materializes given this film's lackluster reception. Also with Ann Dowd and Jennifer Nettles. GRADE: C
Ranking the franchise:
1. The Exorcist
2. The Exorcist III
3. Dominion: Prequel to the Exorcist
4. The Exorcist: Believer
5. The Exorcist II: The Heretic
6. Exorcist: The Beginning
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