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The Exorcist films have covered many unique sub-genres in horror and still manage to entertain. But when ranked by critics, where do they stand?
1973’s The Exorcist set a new precedent in horror by being both shocking and thought-provoking in its portrayal of a young girl named Regan who’s possessed by a demonic entity. Being released at the height of the satanic panic also helped The Exorcist gain status as one of the scariest films ever made. Both its visuals and dialogue helped spawn a new age in horror by showing how far special effects and subject matter can go to tell a story.
Since its release, an entire Exorcist franchise has been born that spans multiple films. While each covers a unique sub-genre of horror, not all of them knock it out of the park. But with Blumhouse and Morgan Creek partnering with Universal and Peacock for a franchise revival, now is a great time to explore where each film stands critically. By averaging the scores on both Rotten Tomatoes and Metacritic, a solid ranking of each Exorcist film will separate the must-watch entries from the ones that can be cast out.
5. Exorcist II: The Heretic (1977) – 27 Percent
Exorcist II: The Heretic has all of the makings of a hit. Not only is it following up one of the most successful films in cinema, but it also has Linda Blair returning as the demon’s victim, Regan. However, the result was the furthest thing from a worthy follow-up. The film’s basic plot continues Regan’s story and reveals even more about the demon that possessed her. But rather than only use its supernatural elements when needed, it turns the demon into a supervillain and gives Regan psychic superpowers. Unfortunately, most who saw the film considered it laughable and anything but horrific.
4. Exorcist: The Beginning (2004) – 30 Percent
Much like Joss Whedon’s version of Justice League, Exorcist: The Beginning is the result of a studio unhappy with the initial product — in this case, a similar prequel directed by Paul Schrader called Dominion: Prequel to the Exorcist. Since the film wasn’t considered scary enough, Schrader was fired from the project, and Renny Harlin stepped in to make an entirely reworked version using some of the same cast and sets.
Exorcist: The Beginning follows Father Merrin and the terrors he encountered in East Africa before the first film. The effects of the change were felt quickly following the release, with original screenwriter William Peter Blatty despising having seen it.
3. Dominion: Prequel to The Exorcist (2005) – 32.5 Percent
If Exorcist: The Beginning is like the theatrical cut of Justice League, then Dominion: Prequel to the Exorcist is the Snyder cut. Schrader’s initial vision for the film had no desire to focus on terror and gore. Instead, it tells a similar story of Father Merrin’s experience in East Africa but plays more on the themes of religion and faith. It’s an introspective story that calls back to the thought-provoking ideas presented in the original film.
While it wasn’t a financial success, it fared better with the critics and earned much higher praise from Blatty than the previous attempt.
2. The Exorcist III (1990) – 53.5 Percent
Of all of the sequels in the franchise, The Exorcist III is undoubtedly the most unique. While it’s still a horror film, it’s also a murder mystery, as two detectives try to solve a rash of strange murders by the long-deceased “Gemini Killer.” The film brings back notable priest Father Karras from The Exorcist and shows that he didn’t actually die from the fall at the conclusion. Instead, he is a vessel for a far more dangerous entity.
The Exorcist III is a cult classic among its fans and a near-perfect follow-up to the original that continues to juxtapose the world’s harsh realities with the supernatural.
1. The Exorcist (1973) – 82 Percent
It’s no surprise that even after four decades, The Exorcist is the most well-reviewed of the franchise. The movie follows a girl named Regan MacNeil who, after using a Ouija Board, becomes possessed, leading to two priests fighting for her life in a dangerous exorcism. Director William Friedkin’s style brings humanity out in the characters, making them feel like people, rather than just actors in roles. Plus, the scares and practical special effects still hold up to modern audiences.
The Exorcist is a great adaptation of William Peter Blatty’s book that serves to terrify and entertain its viewers by telling them a story about the power of faith and selflessness in the face of evil.
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