Movie Review: The Exorcist (1973)

This movie has basically been considered to be the scariest movie ever made since it was released. To be honest, I haven’t heard a lot of talk about it in that regard recently, so I’m not sure if people have sort of moved on from it, but I sure hope they haven’t. Not necessarily because it’s the scariest movie ever made — it probably isn’t — but because it’s an outstanding film.

For a genre that never gets any critical praise, this movie got a ton of it. The movie won two Academy Awards, and was nominated for eight more.

And I can see why. If you don’t really like horror movies, there’s still a lot to grab onto here with the plot. It functions largely as a drama about a priest who has lost his faith, and of a mother who fears for her daughter’s safety and sanity.

I mean, the horror stuff is great, too.

I’d say you’d definitely get more out of this movie if you’re religious, of course. It’s a very compelling story about the power of faith.

Jason Miller is absolutely amazing as Father Damien Karras. This was his first film, though he had just won a Pulitzer as a playwright, so that sort of explains his being sixth billed perhaps possibly having the most screentime. He’s great, and you believe every word he says and every emotion he feels.

And because why the hell not, I’m going to end this review with a picture of me at the famous Exorcist stairs when I went to tour Georgetown years ago.

Rating: 10/10