THE EXORCIST

For my 2023 film journey, with the help of friends, I put together a list of movies that are highly regarded for at least one reason. One of those films was The Exorcist, released in 1973. I’m probably one of thirteen people on the planet, over the age of 18, who haven’t seen this movie! Now that I have, I must say I’m neither overwhelmed nor underwhelmed.

The story revolves around Chris (Ellen Burstyn), an actress temporarily residing on a film location in the Georgetown area of Washington D.C., and her 12-year-old daughter Regan (Linda Blair). Regan begins to act strangely, and bizarre things begin to happen around her as she becomes increasingly violent and exhibits disturbing behaviors. Chris takes Regan to see medical doctors, but they are unable to diagnose any illness. They recommend that Chris consider having an exorcism, a Catholic ceremonial cleansing ritual, performed on Regan. Chris calls upon Father Damien Karras (Jason Miller), a Catholic priest from the Georgetown area who has recently begun to question his faith. Karras is joined by Father Merrin (Max von Sydow) as they try to confront the evil that has taken over Regan.

As the film progresses, Regan’s body becomes covered with open sores, she can turn her head around 180 degrees, she projectile vomits on the priests, and she exhibits immense strength. She controls the temperature in her bedroom (where she is strapped down), and she has insight about the priests that she shouldn’t know. She exudes malevolence, hatred, and an utter loss of innocence. It is only when one of the priests makes an ultimate sacrifice, that Regan can finally be freed from the demon’s possession of her body.

Let me be clear that I enjoyed watching The Exorcist very much. Despite being 50 years old, it holds its own as a masterful experience. The music compliments the suspense, the lighting, and effects are top-notch, the acting is superb, and the film’s ability to completely shock the viewer stands firm (I won’t describe the more disturbing scenes lest it be a spoiler for one of the thirteen people who haven’t seen the film yet!). There is also an abundance of odd noises (creeks, scrapes, etc.) that occur continuously throughout the film, making it impossible to relax even for a moment. This movie sets the bar for supernatural horror storytelling.

My criticism of The Exorcist stems from its lack of cohesiveness. We spend much of the first of the film in Iraq with Father Merrin on an archaeological dig where he discovers a totem that we are led to infer represents an evil character. However, the possession of Regan occurs long before Father Merrin ever visits with her… so there is no connectivity established. Also, it is only upon reading more, and not through the storytelling in the movie, that one discovers that Regan is not possessed by Satan (as most would suspect), but by a demon known as Pazuzu. It is Pazuzu that we see subliminal images of throughout the film. It is Pazuzu that Father Merrin’s totem depicts. Pazuzu is not part of the Christian faith, so why would he be susceptible to a Catholic cleansing/exorcism? What is the connection with the medallion of St. Christopher and Pazuzu? Why was Regan selected by Pazuzu? What was Pazuzu’s goal in this possession? What did the vandalized statue of Mary in a church have to do with the main story? These unanswered questions are what ultimately made the movie a four-star experience rather than a five-star one.

I also have one other minor gripe as I wrap things up. Linda Blair was nominated for an acting Oscar for this film. Yet, throughout most of the movie, her dialogue is dubbed by Oscar-winning actress Mercedes McCambridge, and in Regan’s most disturbing scenes it is not Blair, but instead either her stunt double, Eileen Dietz, filmed from behind or it is a life-like dummy (the head turning). Blair was proficient in the role… but Oscar-worthy? I don’t think so.