This review is part of my IMDB Top 250 Films project and has been kindly done by Jessica, please be sure to check out her site and read on for her excellent review. There may be a few swear words and spoilers, but who doesn’t like a girl who knows her stuff and swears like a dock worker? Enjoy!
The Exorcist (1973) - When a girl is possessed by a mysterious entity, her mother seeks the help of two priests to save her daughter.
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Reviewed by Jessica. Please check out her blog:
Follow her on Twitter @Gorrorworld
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Top 250 #209
Year of Release: 1973
Director: William Friedkin
Cast:
Ellen Burstyn - Chris MacNeil
Max von Sydow - Father Merrin
Lee J. Cobb - Lt. William Kinderman
Kitty Winn - Sharon Spencer
Jack MacGowran - Burke Dennings
Jason Miller - Father Damian Karras
Linda Blair - Regan MacNeil
I did a little background research and have discovered that The Exorcist was the first movie of its kind, and for that it gets 4 out of 5 stars in my book. As a precursor for all the shitty exorcism movies that come out on a consistent basis, The Exorcist is basically the OG film and sets the bar for all other religious/ supernatural films. Besides for Rosemary’s Baby, which also dabbles in Satanic children and religion, The Exorcist is completely original and is easily one of my favorite films because of the subject matter.
Poor little Regan, an innocent 12-year old girl, is possessed by a demonic force that not only makes her sexually explicit, but it always gives her almost acrobatic skills in that she is able to completely manipulate her joints. I may have just made this sound like she turned into some type of pornstar nympho, but believe me, it is much worse than that. Between fucking herself with a crucifix and vomiting on multiple priests, I would say this demonic force has made her as far from a pornstar nympho as possible.
Regan starts out with little outbursts here and there and eventually it turns physical. Her appearance is warped and disturbing and she goes from adorable 12-year-old to foul-mouthed Chuckie doll look-a-like. Even though I totally love this movie for its originality, I can honestly say I didn’t feel like there were any plot twists or turns that made the movie truly interesting.
Basically the movie is just about a couple of priests infiltrating the situation and performing an exorcism on this young girl. The setting never really changes and the characters (besides for Regan and her mother) were not complex enough to make an impact on me or to really make them memorable in my head. Obviously this sexually perverted demon that possesses Regan to utter obscenities and masturbate in front of priests gave it major bonus points in my book. Remember, Regan is 12, just let that sink in. She even goes as far as to force her mother’s face down in her crotch while yelling at her to fuck her. This disturbing-ness in the movie is definitely what put it high up there as a priority for any must-see movie lists.
The acting is perfectly done as well between Regan and her mother, Chris. Regan nails possessed child and manages to put many disturbing and memorable images in your head, including a scene where she practically crab-walks down the staircase with blood spewing out of her mouth.
Chris shows the perfect amount of despair in trying to find a cure for her daughter and also the right amount of shock and horror as her daughter’s personality and appearance change into quite the disturbing view to look at. I would have to recommend this film to everyone seeing as it is literally the original exorcism film and basically started the trend in religious horror movies which are still as popular as ever today.
Considering all the advances in technology and changes within the horror genre, The Exorcist is very basic compared to what is out there now-a-days. However, I truly believe you cannot consider yourself a real horror fan until you have not only seen this movie, but have found a special place for it in your heart. Oh how 70’s horror flicks always fills me with nostalgia. Now go re-watch this film for the 100000th time, as I am assuming you have all seen it. If not, you should probably stop living under a rock and just peep this already.
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Reviewed by Jessica. Please check out her blog:
Follow her on Twitter @Gorrorworld
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Interesting review. I only saw this recently. I recorded it from the telly. I watched it during the day because clearly I am a big scaredy cat.
The acting in this film is really good. 
Congrats on seeing The Exorcist for your first time. Hopefully it becomes a favorite for you and you are able to watch this over and over again
are you into paranormal films?
Very well written review of an all-time horror classic.
Thanks for such positive feedback!
feel free to follow. I try to write reviews at least once or twice a week. Always taking suggestions of movies to watch too 
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Thanks to all the bloggers that liked this post! Feel free to ask me any questions you would like, either by replying on here or commenting on my blog
Good review Jessica. Still pretty scary, even in today’s day and age, and boosts incredible performances from the whole cast, especially Linda Blair who really couldn’t catch a break after this. Real shame, too, because she has a likable presence to her.
I love how its still better than most other paranormal movies out there that have come along recently considering they don’t have the effects and technology like they do today. Truly so freaky and started the exorcism movie trend, love it
This is one of those, for me, one time only viewing flicks. I know it is a goodie but it’s not for me.
Do you typically like to tune into horror films?
Good review! This was one of my first forays into horror movie watching and I really enjoyed it. I’m a sucker for demonic type and religious movies anyway so this was a perfect fit.
I feel like its really hard to come by actual GOOD demonic films. Have any suggestions for me? Some of my favorites that I have already seen are The Omen, Poltergeist, and Insidious.
I have mixed feelings over this one.
Interesting, “pornstar nympho” remark. She didn’t really get there, you’re right. Her career downturn was about one step away from getting there though. She was in some nice exploitation films though. Fun fun fun.
She was in exploitation films?!? Please elaborate, you’ve caught my attention…
Thanks again for doing this Jessica!! Great and unique write up, and a nice change up from all the Christmas posts!
Fantastic review. One of my horror faves!
Great review. I remember watching this at the cinema a few years ago when it was re-released. Not nearly as scary as all the hype suggested (akin to The Shining), although very atmospheric and a great film nevertheless.
Great review! Great Film ! and a dead on score nice work.