The Exorcist (1973) is one of the most influential and terrifying horror films ever made. Directed by William Friedkin and based on William Peter Blatty's 1971 novel, the film tells the horrifying tale of a young girl possessed by a demonic entity and the desperate battle between faith and evil to save her soul.
Blatty, who also wrote the screenplay, was inspired by a real-life exorcism case that took place in the late 1940s in Maryland. His novel became a bestseller, and Warner Bros. soon picked it up for a film adaptation. Under Friedkinβs direction, the movie pushed the boundaries of horror, introducing disturbing imagery, psychological terror, and religious themes that left an unforgettable impact on audiences.
The film begins with Father Lankester Merrin (Max von Sydow), an elderly Catholic priest and archaeologist, uncovering a mysterious artifact of the demon Pazuzu in Iraq. This discovery foreshadows the evil that will soon take hold in Georgetown, Washington, D.C.
In Georgetown, successful actress Chris MacNeil (Ellen Burstyn) begins to notice strange behavior in her 12-year-old daughter, Regan MacNeil (Linda Blair). Regan initially exhibits mild symptomsβhearing noises, using crude languageβbut soon, her condition worsens. She speaks in guttural voices, displays superhuman strength, and performs disturbing acts, including defiling herself with a crucifix. As medical and psychiatric professionals fail to diagnose her, Chris turns to Father Damien Karras (Jason Miller), a troubled priest and psychiatrist struggling with his own crisis of faith.
Father Karras observes Regan and becomes convinced that she is possessed. The Catholic Church approves an exorcism and assigns Father Merrin, an experienced exorcist, to assist. The two priests engage in a harrowing spiritual battle with the demon, culminating in Merrinβs death and Karrasβs ultimate sacrificeβhe invites the demon into himself and leaps from a window, killing himself to save Regan.
The filmβs production was notoriously difficult, with reports of unexplained accidents, injuries on set, and even a fire that destroyed parts of the set. These incidents fueled the legend of The Exorcist being a "cursed" movie.
Upon its release, the film caused a cultural sensation. Audiences reported fainting, vomiting, and panic attacks in theaters. Some religious groups condemned it, believing it to be genuinely dangerous. Despite the controversy, The Exorcist became a massive box-office success, earning over $440 million worldwide and becoming one of the highest-grossing horror films of all time.
It was also the first horror film to be nominated for Best Picture at the Academy Awards, ultimately winning Best Adapted Screenplay (Blatty) and Best Sound.
The Exorcist remains one of the greatest horror films ever made. Its impact is still felt in modern horror, influencing films like The Conjuring, Hereditary, and The Exorcism of Emily Rose. The film has spawned multiple sequels, prequels, a TV series, and even a 2023 legacy sequel, The Exorcist: Believer.
Its chilling visuals, psychological depth, and religious themes continue to haunt viewers, proving that true horror is not just about jump scares, but about deep-seated fearsβof the unknown, of losing control, and of the battle between good and evil.
