What The Exorcist Means to Us
It’s probably silly that I would be writing a blurb for what The Exorcist means to me when I’ve seen this movie in full exactly one time. And it was when I was young. Probably far too young to be watching a movie like this one. But it had such an impact on me that I remember it very vividly even today. I had already found my love of the horror genre before I watched this movie, but The Exorcist was the first horror film that terrified me. I mean, the kind of terrifying that had me hiding under the blankets and experiencing a heavy pit in my stomach that was incurable for quite some time after the movie ended. Not to mention the fact that I had to sleep on my parents’ bedroom floor that night because there was no way I would be able to sleep in my room alone. The Exorcist taught me that horror was not always cheap jump scares and gore. It can be the torturously slow building of dread, a claustrophobic atmosphere, and the knowledge that evil things don’t always just want to kill you, sometimes they want to have fun with you first. Horror films, when done correctly, can feel evil. And that’s what The Exorcist felt like to me. I don’t know how anyone can walk away from the moving without feeling impacted by it in some shape or form. Few horror films stick with me after watching now, but The Exorcist has been with me for several decades, and honestly? I’m still too scared to rewatch it.
–Romona Comet
The first time I saw The Exorcist I was bored, I’ll admit it. I was a punk kid raised on slasher flicks and gore movies and the more subtle horrors of The Exorcist fell flat for me. (I know, weird to say “subtle” about scenes like pea soup vomiting or spinning heads.) It wasn’t until I was in my twenties that I revisited the film and realized how scary and just plain GOOD it was. I’m sure Sailor will go on about the film as a cultural touchstone and the progenitor of a wave of big-budget horror films. I also think it proved to the powers that be that horror could sell, and that led to a surge of interest that included authors like Stephen King (his first novel, Carrie, debuted the following year). As a fan of horror (both literary and cinematic), I can only give thanks to William Peter Blatty, William Friedkin and Linda Blair for starting that wave, and for all the frights that followed.
–Bob Cram
We Have Groucho Marx to Thank for The Exorcist (Sort of)
In a roundabout way, if it wasn’t for famed comedian Groucho Marx, we would never have The Exorcist. In 1960, William Peter Blatty published his first book, Which Way to Mecca, Jack?, a humorous book that covers, among other things, his successful masquerade as a Saudi Arabian prince when he got to Los Angeles. In 1961, while still pretending to be a prince, Blatty appeared as a contestant on the Groucho Marx quiz show You Bet Your Life, winning $10,000, enough money to quit his job and write full-time. It would be insane if his follow-up would be The Exorcist but this isn’t a movie. He published a couple of other books and even wrote a handful of screenplays before finally writing his magnum opus. Marx’s TV show allowed him the opportunity to write full-time, whereas Polanski’s movie Rosemary’s Baby gave him the inspiration to craft the scariest story ever made.
The Exorcist was an immediate smash hit and a film adaptation was in development almost overnight. If people thought the book was terrifying, they weren’t ready for what the movie was going to do to them. Released in 1973 (just two years after the book), the movie broke boundaries in both horror and cinema, introducing audiences to new levels of fear while tackling themes of faith, innocence, and the nature of evil. The story follows the possession of twelve-year-old Regan MacNeil (Linda Blair) and the subsequent exorcism performed by two priests, Father Merrin (Max von Sydow) and Father Karras (Jason Miller). The film’s blend of psychological horror, disturbing visuals, and a strong undercurrent of theological tension created a profound experience for audiences that continues to resonate today.
The film’s structure is meticulously paced. It begins with a mysterious prologue in Iraq, where Father Merrin finds a small statue of Pazuzu, foreshadowing the demonic presence that will later consume Regan. This slow build-up continues in Georgetown, where actress Chris MacNeil (Ellen Burstyn) lives with her daughter, Regan. The early scenes paint a loving yet realistic picture of Chris and Regan’s mother-daughter relationship. This gradual descent into horror helps establish an emotional connection with the characters, especially as Regan’s health begins to deteriorate. Father Karras, meanwhile, serves as the psychological anchor of the film. His crisis of faith—a result of his mother’s death and his feelings of inadequacy as a priest—is integral to his journey. Friedkin and Blatty crafted a complex, tormented character whose inner turmoil mirrors the external horror faced in the exorcism. Karras’ vulnerability allows the audience to relate deeply to his struggles, making the eventual showdown with the demon more than just a battle against supernatural forces but also a personal confrontation with his own doubts.
Overcoming the Evil Within
Thematically, The Exorcist explores the dichotomy of faith and doubt, good and evil, and the role of redemption. Regan’s possession serves as the literal and metaphorical manifestation of evil. Her body becomes a battlefield between religious faith and demonic forces, and her ordeal forces each character to confront their beliefs. Father Karras’ journey represents humanity’s struggle with faith in the face of horror and darkness, while Father Merrin stands as the unwavering embodiment of faith. For Karras, the exorcism becomes his path to redemption, a way to reaffirm his belief and to act in the face of unimaginable horror. The climax, where Karras sacrifices himself, is an intense expression of self-sacrifice and underscores the film’s message: that faith, despite its vulnerability to doubt, has the power to withstand and overcome evil.
Friedkin’s direction in The Exorcist is as impactful as it is meticulous. He uses a restrained approach in the film’s initial scenes, favoring atmospheric tension over overt horror. The Georgetown setting is cold and foreboding, its sterile interiors serving as a disturbing contrast to the escalating chaos within Regan’s room. Friedkin’s use of close-ups, low lighting, and naturalistic cinematography creates a raw, almost documentary-like realism, immersing viewers in a world that feels deeply unsettling. The sound design and music play a crucial role in creating suspense and terror. The repeated use of “Tubular Bells” by Mike Oldfield in key scenes provides an eerie, almost hypnotic backdrop that lingers in the viewer’s memory. The audio effects for Regan’s possession scenes—particularly her voice, a mixture of Linda Blair’s, actress Mercedes McCambridge’s, and unsettling animalistic sounds—are jarring and contribute to the visceral impact of the horror.
Groundbreaking Practical Effects
The film’s practical effects are groundbreaking and remain powerful by today’s standards. The scenes involving Regan’s rotating head, levitation, and projectile vomiting were revolutionary at the time, causing shock and controversy. The use of makeup on Linda Blair is also remarkable, portraying her transformation from a young girl into a hideous, possessed creature with frightening realism. These effects, combined with Friedkin’s brutal approach to realism, gave the film a grounded, authentic quality that elevated the horror far beyond typical supernatural fare.
One of the most profound aspects of The Exorcist is its emphasis on psychological horror. The film explores themes of fear and possession that go beyond the literal possession of Regan by Pazuzu. It presents a society in which science and religion coexist uneasily, and where faith is often questioned. Chris, a secular character, turns to medicine and science to cure her daughter before reluctantly seeking out the church, a journey that represents the wider struggle of modern man’s search for answers in the face of the unknown. The film’s religious symbolism is deep and pervasive. The statue of Pazuzu represents not only the ancient, primal forces of evil but also the continuity of such forces through history and culture. Father Merrin’s stoic resistance to Pazuzu shows the strength of unwavering faith, while Karras’ initial doubts and eventual acceptance of his faith reflect the human aspect of belief—its imperfections, struggles, and power to redeem.
The Exorcist Redefined Horror
The Exorcist redefined horror, pushing boundaries in both style and content, setting a standard for films to come. It became notorious for its extreme depictions of horror, with reports of audience members fainting, vomiting, or fleeing the theater upon its release. Despite its graphic content, the film found success among critics and viewers alike, receiving ten Academy Award nominations and solidifying its place in horror history. The film’s influence extends beyond cinema; it sparked debates on faith, the existence of evil, and the role of the church. It inspired numerous horror films that aimed to replicate its atmosphere, and its iconic scenes have become embedded in pop culture. Its characters, particularly Regan and her transformation, remain some of the most recognizable images in horror.
The Exorcist is much more than a horror film; it is an exploration of human vulnerability, the struggle of faith, and the nature of evil. Through its masterful direction, powerful performances, and groundbreaking technical achievements, the film transcends its genre and offers a profound examination of belief, redemption, and the unknown. By balancing visceral horror with thoughtful themes, Friedkin crafted a timeless masterpiece that continues to haunt audiences and provoke reflection, proving that the deepest horrors often lie not in supernatural forces but in the battles within the human soul.
Have you seen The Exorcist? What did you think of the film? Do you have a fun fact or piece of trivia about the making of the film? Share it in the comments below!
