The Exorcism of Emily Rose

Play trailer

The Exorcism of Emily Rose

PG-13

Released Sep 9, 2005

1h 58m

Horror

Mystery & Thriller

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

45%

Tomatometer

155 Reviews

60%

Popcornmeter

250,000+ Ratings

The Rev. Moore (Tom Wilkinson) is prosecuted for the wrongful death of a girl thought to be demonically possessed, because he administered the church-sanctioned exorcism that ultimately killed her. Prosecuting attorney Ethan Thomas (Campbell Scott) contends that the young woman, Emily (Jennifer Carpenter), suffered from schizophrenia and should have been medically diagnosed. Meanwhile, defense lawyer Erin Bruner (Laura Linney) argues that Emily's condition cannot be explained by science alone.

Watch on Fandango at Home

Buy Now

Critics Consensus

Loosely based on a true story, The Exorcism of Emily Rose mixes compelling courtroom drama with generally gore-free scares in a ho-hum take on demonic cinema.

Read Critics Reviews

J. R. Jones

Chicago Reader

The script is a lifeless succession of moral debates and stormy horror flashbacks, though I had a good time watching Jennifer Carpenter...

Jun 28, 2022

Full Review

Chris Stuckmann

ChrisStuckmann.com

One of very the few PG-13 horrors that actually does scare me, because it feels realistic, it feels adult, and it feels like there is real weight and dramatic implications.

Rated: A-

Oct 16, 2020

Full Review

Empire Magazine

Rated: 3/5

Apr 1, 2006

Full Review

Steve Biodrowski

Cinefantastique

"The film finds a way to justify its existence despite the inevitable comparisons to ["The Exorcist"], in whose shadow it will inevtiably stand..."

Aug 25, 2010

Full Review

Jeffrey Overstreet

Looking Closer

It avoids gratuitous gore and the shocks that provide the backbone of most horror films. ... [Derrickson's] more interested in the spiritual questions at hand.

Rated: B+

Sep 21, 2007

Full Review

Rob Gonsalves

Rob's Movie Vault

A glum and undistinguished drama -- it's certainly nothing so crass as a horror movie, despite the spooky come-on of the marketing.

Rated: D

Jul 30, 2007

Full Review

Read all reviews

Geo3 F

This is not a horror film is more a court drama, meaning they are few spooky scenes but the heart of the film is in the courtroom. That said I thought it was pretty good however deeply catholic bias here where faith is explain thru the Catholic viewpoint not others. Overall, a nice court drama and you skip the few creepy scenes its a good film to enjoy.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

12/21/24

Full Review

Luisa G

Achei a atuação incrível e não esperava nada menos vindo da Jennifer Carpenter, mas achei que o filme se focou bem mais na trama do padre do que na da própria Emily. Gostaria que tivesse mais cenas mostrando a possessão dela, falando como uma viciada em filmes de terror. O filme é muito bom e já esperava isso por ser um clássico, porém não é surpreendente para alguém que vê muitos filmes do gênero. Talvez ele devesse ter suspense como gênero principal e terror como secundário até porque que você fica bem mais apreensivo com a trajetória do padre. O filme teria ficado melhor se não dissesse que a Emily morre no início porque assim o filnal surpreenderia os telespectadores com a escolha dela. Mas adimito que o filme traz super bem o conflito de religião e ciência.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

12/16/24

Full Review

Griffith J

A solid attempt to make a played out sub-genre unique. Yet it can’t solidify either tone into something great. Some cool editing with fun makeup/VFX but it’s a product of its time & doesn’t feel special.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

10/30/24

Full Review

Chris P

(DVD, 5/5/24, Horror, Mystery/Thriller) Quick shot: A priest is prosecuted for the wrongful death of teenage girl after an exorcism. Based on the true story. Part horror film, part legal trial this mish mash may have looked good on paper but on film the result is a very choppy, uneven product despite a committed performance by Jennifer Carpenter of Dexter fame. I can't say if it was the editing or the concept that didn't work but it was a miss IMO.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

05/08/24

Full Review

Dishani G

pretty boring. kept waiting for some horror action to happen, but it never did.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

02/04/24

Full Review

matt p

This movie is an absolute scare and if you think even if you don't believe that it is real but just imagine if this actual happened this will make the movie 10 times scarier.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/13/24

Full Review

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

POST RATING

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

Scott Derrickson

Director

Laura Linney

Erin Bruner

Tom Wilkinson

Father Moore

Campbell Scott

Ethan Thomas

Jennifer Carpenter

Emily Rose

Colm Feore

Karl Gunderson

Show Less Cast & Crew

Show More Cast & Crew

The Exorcism of Emily Rose: Official Clip - Scary Failed Exorcism

2:14

The Exorcism of Emily Rose: Official Clip - Demons Among Us

2:01

The Exorcism of Emily Rose: Official Clip - Demon Attack in Bed

2:16

The Exorcism of Emily Rose: Official Clip - Demons Are Real

3:59

The Exorcism of Emily Rose: Official Clip - The Devil in the Flesh

3:37

The Exorcism of Emily Rose: Official Clip - Possessed in Church

1:20

The Exorcism of Emily Rose: Official Clip - Creepy Possessed Girlfriend

2:16

The Exorcism of Emily Rose: Official Clip - The Exorcism Begins

2:21

View more videos

The Skeleton Key

37%

58%

The Skeleton Key

Watchlist

Darkness Falls

10%

34%

Darkness Falls

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Darkness Falls

Boogeyman

11%

21%

Boogeyman

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Boogeyman

Dark Water

47%

28%

Dark Water

Watchlist

The Fog

4%

19%

The Fog

Watchlist

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

Where to Watch the Best New Fall TV Shows (Right Now)

Review Roundup: Gotham, Scorpion, Madam Secretary

Exclusive: Derrickson Off West Memphis 3 Movie Devil’s Knot

View more photos

Synopsis

The Rev. Moore (Tom Wilkinson) is prosecuted for the wrongful death of a girl thought to be demonically possessed, because he administered the church-sanctioned exorcism that ultimately killed her. Prosecuting attorney Ethan Thomas (Campbell Scott) contends that the young woman, Emily (Jennifer Carpenter), suffered from schizophrenia and should have been medically diagnosed. Meanwhile, defense lawyer Erin Bruner (Laura Linney) argues that Emily's condition cannot be explained by science alone.

Director: Scott Derrickson
Producer: Paul Harris Boardman, Beau Flynn, Gary Lucchesi, Tom Rosenberg, Tripp Vinson
Screenwriter: Paul Harris Boardman, Scott Derrickson
Distributor: Sony Pictures Entertainment
Production Co: Firm Films
Rating: PG-13 (Intense/Frightening Sequences|Disturbing Images|Thematic Material)
Genre: Horror, Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Sep 9, 2005, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 16, 2012
Box Office (Gross USA): $75.1M
Runtime: 1h 58m
Sound Mix: SDDS, DTS, Surround, Dolby Digital, Dolby SRD
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

Most Popular at Home Now