Dominion: Prequel to The Exorcist
Dominion: Prequel to The Exorcist

Movie spotlight

Dominion: Prequel to The Exorcist

2005
Movie
116 min
English

Father Merrin takes a sabbatical from the Church to devote himself to history and archaeology as he struggles with his shattered faith.

Insights

IMDb5.5/10
Rotten Tomatoes32%
Metacritic45/100
Google Users58%
Director: Paul SchraderGenres: Horror, Thriller

Plot Summary

Set in 1947, Father Merrin is haunted by his experiences during World War II. He is called to a remote excavation site in East Africa where a mysterious evil has taken hold of a young girl. Merrin must confront his own demons as he battles the demonic possession and uncovers the terrifying truth about its origins.

Critical Reception

Dominion received a mixed reception from critics, with some praising its atmosphere and Skarsgård's performance, while others found it to be slow-paced and less impactful than its predecessor. It ultimately garnered less attention than the other prequel, 'Exorcist: The Beginning'.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its psychological depth and atmospheric tension.

  • Criticized for its deliberate pacing and perceived lack of scares.

  • Stellan Skarsgård's performance as Father Merrin was frequently highlighted.

Google audience: Audience reviews often reflect a division, with some appreciating the film's more cerebral and character-driven approach to horror, while others found it failed to deliver the visceral terror expected from an Exorcist film.

Fun Fact

Paul Schrader's version, 'Dominion: Prequel to The Exorcist', was filmed first but was rejected by the studio. They then hired Renny Harlin to reshoot much of the film, resulting in 'Exorcist: The Beginning'. Schrader's original cut was later released in 2007.

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