The Exorcist, a chilling tale of demonic possession, writes Shanku Sharma

//Shanku Sharma//

Directed by William Friedkin and released in 1973, The Exorcist is widely regarded as one of the most terrifying and influential horror movies ever made. Based on William Peter Blatty’s novel of the same name, the film tells the story of a young girl’s demonic possession and the two priests who attempt to exorcise the evil entity. The Exorcist was a massive commercial success, earning 10 Academy Award nominations and winning two Oscars for sound design and adapted screenplay.

The film takes place in Georgetown, Washington, D.C., where actress Chris MacNeil (Ellen Burstyn) and her 12-year-old daughter, Regan (Linda Blair), have moved into a large rental house. Strange sounds begin emanating from the attic, and Regan becomes increasingly violent, displaying supernatural strength and abilities. Despite medical tests revealing nothing, Chris suspects demonic possession and enlists the help of two Roman Catholic priests, Father Karras (Jason Miller) and Father Merrin (Max von Sydow), to perform an exorcism.

The Exorcist is loosely based on accounts of a 1949 exorcism performed on a 13-year-old boy. The screenplay was loyal to Blatty’s novel, though less ambiguous. Preproduction on the film was fraught and costly, with the casting of unknown actors for the leading roles, which the film’s producers opposed. Once the film began production, Friedkin was incredibly demanding of his cast and crew, pushing them to physical extremes. This led to back injuries for Blair and Burstyn, and several people connected with the film died during production, leading to the belief that the film was cursed.

The Exorcist has become a cultural phenomenon, cementing its place in the pantheon of horror fiction. The film’s influence can still be seen today, with its iconic imagery and themes of faith, doubt, and the eternal struggle between good and evil continuing to captivate audiences. The film’s success spawned five more movies and a TV series in the franchise, with more sequels on the way. The Exorcist remains a stylistic landmark for the supernatural horror genre and is widely considered one of the greatest and most unsettling horror movies ever made.

The Exorcist is currently streaming on The Criterion Channel and is available for rent or purchase on various platforms, including Amazon Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and YouTube.