Now that the spooky season is now in full swing, I had to check out what could be one of the most chilling films ever released - the 1972 classic ‘The Exorcist’ (also catch it on the big screen during the Dietrich Theater’s upcoming Spooky Fest).
One of the most profitable horror films ever made, this tale of an exorcism is based loosely on actual events.
When young Regan starts acting odd - levitating, speaking in tongues - her worried mother seeks medical help, only to hit a dead end.
A local priest, however, thinks the girl may be seized by the devil.
The priest makes a request to perform an exorcism, and the church sends in an epert to help with the difficult job.
Since I’m a huge fan of the horror genre, I have seen quite a few horror films many times, including this classic. ‘The Exorcist’ gives a truly eerie vibe and the film’s creepy atmosphere will really send chills down your spine - even if you have seen the film numerous times.
Even though it does take a little bit for ‘The Exorcist’ to get going, I think the slow-building really helps build the tension and suspense that will soon come. Once we see the young girl Regan slowly become possessed by a then-unknown entity, it can get a little on the scary side.
As soon as the main exorcism sequence begins, that’s when the tension really comes into play. Jason Miller, Max von Sydow and Linda Blair do an amazing job making the exorcism scene seem real and truly suspenseful. There’s also a few moments between Blair and Ellen Burstyn that can be a little spine-tingling.
And, since it’s the spooky season, let me know on my Wyoming County Press Examiner reviews Facebook page what film in the horror genre do you always watch during the Halloween season.
Aspects of both the film and the William Peter Blatty novel were inspired by a 1949 exorcism performed by Jesuit priest William S. Bowdern. Before Jason Miller was ultimately cast as Father Karras, Jack Nicholson was also up for the part. Honestly, I can’t really see Jack Nicholson playing a priest…
The film’s initial theatrical release ended up being one of the longest theatrical runs ever - lasting 105 weeks (or just over two years). The classic film has been reissued many times over the years and has grossed a domestic total of $232.6 million ($441 million worldwide).
The 1973 classic also ultimately spawned a franchise that wasn’t nearly as acclaimed as this film. ‘Exorcist II: The Heretic (1977) and ‘The Exorcist III’ (1990) earned heavily mixed reactions from critics and audiences, while it’s low-rated prequel was actually released twice though two different versions (Dominion: A Prequel to The Exorcist; Exorcist: The Beginning).
The franchise came back last year with ‘The Exorcist: Believer’ and received a poor reception. The series is reportedly being rebooted again in 2026 with a fresh take from director Mike Flanagan, who has brought us some of the scariest entertainment ever, such as ‘Doctor Sleep,’ Netflix’s ‘Haunting of Hill House’ and Netflix’s ‘Haunting of Bly Manor.’
‘The Exorcist’ is rated R for strong language and disturbing images and has a running time of 122 minutes.
Make sure to check out this chilling classic on the big screen at the Dietrich! If you miss it, the film is available on the Max streaming service. Also, make sure to check the theater’s website for show dates and times for the film!
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