Review of The Exorcist (1973) by Tyler R — 10 Oct 2012

Here it is, the movie that every horror movie today seems to be ripping off. The Exorcist is the classic movie about a little girl possessed by the Devil. The little girl is sweet, she's trying to live a normal life, then BOOM! Satan's making you masturbate with a crucifix.

The opening scene sets up what you're in for with this film; something mysterious and eerie at the same time. You can't watch this film and not be disturbed by what's happening. The idea of a little girl being possessed is pretty tiring for today's standards, but back in 1973, this stuff was every movie goers worst nightmare.

People fainted, some left the theaters in ambulances, there were theaters that provided barf bags because everyone kept puking into the wind during this movie. I can't blame them. This movie delivers a lot of genuinely terrifying stuff that sticks with you long after the movie is over.

Everyone knows about the barf and head spinning scenes and those are all disturbing, but the thing that really got me was the spider walk scene. I'm telling you, that's creepy stuff that can't be forgotten easily.

The special effects are fantastic in a really demented way. There is stuff that happens in this movie that I think even modern filmakers would struggle with. The dialogue is really interesting and the characters are all respectable, but the acting.

..holy shit is the acting great. Max von Sydow and Jason Miller are both great as priests, Ellen Burstyn does a really good job, but the show-stealer is Linda Blair in her infamous role as the possessed girl.

Her performance is part of what drives the movie. No possession movie is complete without someone who's possessed and Linda Blair knocks it out of the park. I actually felt fear for this little girl, not because she could rip my face off in a heart beat, but because she's just a normal girl who can't really control whatever the Devil makes her do.

The movie does a really good job of making you root for the priests. When it all hits the fan and the climax comes around, it really slaps you in the face. The climax for the movie is one of the most intense scene in any horror movie ever.

It's actually quite surprising. If you haven't seen it, I won't spoil it, but if you have, then you know what I'm talking about. This is one of those films where you're not really sure if you want to rewatch it because of what was just seen.

The Exorcist is without a doubt one of the scariest movies ever made. If you love horror films, this one is a must see. If you're feint-hearted, then don't see this movie. It's likely to put you in a shock coma.