Review of The Exorcism of Emily Rose (2005) by Peter A — 29 May 2014

Nowadays, how loosely based upon facts a story can be to warrant the title card, "Based on a true story" is hugely debatable, and so it is with 'The Exorcism of Emily Rose' that the actual events may well have been twisted and exaggerated as the tale was passed on; certainly whilst watching it, we can't help but feel a reasonable amount of license taken for dramatic effect.

Nevertheless, much like 'The Exorcist', to which it owes quite a debt in its clinical delivery, the tale, truth aside, remains pretty compelling. Indeed, director Scott Derrickson deals well in the drama of horror, rather than just the easy-to-reach cliches of the genre.

He would later go on to prove himself keen on story and mood over simple shocks with 'Sinister', but with both films, he is at his weakest when having to deliver the more obvious horror element, playing his hand far too heavily.

This movie has a good cast and keeps you gripped, for the most part; it is a shame that the finale turns it into a shoulder shrug.