The Exorcist
The Exorcist

The Exorcist

1973Movie122 minEnglish

When a mysterious entity possesses a young girl, her mother seeks the help of two Catholic priests to save her life.

Read Reviews

Insights

IMDb8.1/10
Rotten Tomatoes84%
Metacritic81/100
Google Users88%
Director: William FriedkinGenres: Horror, Mystery, Thriller

Plot Summary

When a young girl named Regan MacNeil begins to exhibit bizarre and disturbing behavior, her desperate mother, Chris, seeks the help of two priests. As their investigation deepens, they confront the horrifying possibility that Regan has been possessed by a demonic entity. The priests must then undertake a harrowing and dangerous exorcism to save the child's soul.

Critical Reception

The Exorcist was a landmark film in horror cinema, receiving widespread critical acclaim for its terrifying atmosphere, powerful performances, and groundbreaking special effects. While some critics were initially shocked by its graphic content, most recognized its artistic merit and profound impact on the genre. It achieved massive commercial success and remains one of the most influential horror films ever made.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its intense and disturbing portrayal of demonic possession.
  • Lauded for its masterful direction and chilling performances, particularly from Linda Blair.
  • Recognized as a groundbreaking achievement in horror filmmaking, pushing the boundaries of the genre.

Google audience: Audiences were profoundly disturbed and impressed by the film's realistic depiction of supernatural horror and its psychological impact. Many lauded its intensity and effectiveness in generating fear, solidifying its status as a classic.

Awards & Accolades

Nominated for 10 Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Actress. It won Oscars for Best Sound and Best Adapted Screenplay. It was also nominated for numerous Golden Globe Awards and BAFTAs.

Fun Fact

The infamous 'pea soup' projectile vomit effect was achieved by using a mixture of cream of wheat and Campbell's tomato soup.

AI-generated overview · Verify ratings on official sources

My Review

TMDB Reviews

3 reviews
RalphRahal

RalphRahal

The Exorcist (1973) is one of those horror films that sticks with you long after the credits roll. It sets itself apart with an eerie, slow-building tension rather than relying on cheap scares. The story follows a young girl who begins exhi...
griggs79

griggs79

The 4K restoration of The Exorcist is absolutely stunning. Every frame has been enhanced to reveal richer textures, making the eerie details of Regan's demonic possession even more unsettling. The colours in key scenes are now more vivid, a...
Potential Kermode

Potential Kermod...

**Shocking rather than frightening.** Friedkin's The Exorcist is a film that shocks rather than scares. A well made film that achieved notoriety via pea soup. A slow and intelligent film with strong performances - yet also a mostly disap...