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The Exorcist

Play trailer Poster for The Exorcist R Released Dec 26, 1973 2h 2m Horror Play Trailer Watchlist
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78% Tomatometer 176 Reviews 87% Popcornmeter 250,000+ Ratings
One of the most profitable horror movies ever made, this tale of an exorcism is based loosely on actual events. When young Regan (Linda Blair) starts acting odd -- levitating, speaking in tongues -- her worried mother (Ellen Burstyn) seeks medical help, only to hit a dead end. A local priest (Jason Miller), however, thinks the girl may be seized by the devil. The priest makes a request to perform an exorcism, and the church sends in an expert (Max von Sydow) to help with the difficult job.
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The Exorcist

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Critics Consensus

The Exorcist rides its supernatural theme to magical effect, with remarkable special effects and an eerie atmosphere, resulting in one of the scariest films of all time.

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Critics Reviews

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Adam Nayman The Ringer Perhaps the most influential American horror movie ever made, The Exorcist was a Rorschach test when it came out. Fifty years later, it still sticks with us. Oct 6, 2023 Full Review Richard Roeper Chicago Sun-Times The scariest movie ever made... Sep 30, 2023 Full Review Terry Lawson Detroit Free Press Friedkin performed a similar alchemy to that of Francis Ford Coppola [with The Godfather]: He took a good, pulpy novel and turned it into a great, enduring movie. Rated: 4/4 Sep 29, 2023 Full Review Alan Jones Radio Times The macabre, obscene demonstrations of manifest evil still retain their power to startle and nauseate, particularly Linda Blair's "head-turning" antics as the possessed child. Rated: 5/5 Jul 9, 2024 Full Review James Baldwin The Devil Finds Work The mindless and hysterical banality of the evil presented in The Exorcist is the most terrifying thing about the film. The Americans should cer­tainly know more about evil than that; if they pre­tend otherwise, they are lying. May 1, 2024 Full Review Dennis Harvey 48 Hills The Exorcist more conspicuously pushed into the mainstream a hitherto disreputable genre. Jan 2, 2024 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Steven M Still freaks you out decades later. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 10/31/24 Full Review Bryan D The Exorcist is a timeless horror film that still captivates and scares today after 50 years , recommend highly. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 10/31/24 Full Review Gabriel W Best Horror movie of all time!! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 10/27/24 Full Review Spencer Nielsen “There are no experts.” Rated 4 out of 5 stars 09/22/24 Full Review Dione R Theatre didn't have the correct movie downloaded, never got to actually see the movie!! Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars 10/23/23 Full Review matthias s **The Exorcist - 3.5 Stars** *The Exorcist* is definitely a classic with great acting and a good story. It’s a bit slow at times, but that slow build helps you connect with the characters, even if it takes away from the horror feel. The practical effects are amazing and really sell the story, and the makeup is insanely good. For a movie made so long ago, it’s way ahead of its time. It’s not super scary, but more shocking and gross in some parts. The iconic scenes and quotes are unforgettable, and the soundtrack is just perfect. I didn’t love the build-up scenes because they felt a bit too slow, but the exorcism scenes made up for it—they’re intense and well done. While it’s a timeless film, I do think it’s a bit overrated. Still, it’s a must-watch for any horror fan. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 11/04/24 Full Review Read all reviews
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Cast & Crew

Exorcist II: The Heretic 11% 13% Exorcist II: The Heretic Watchlist TRAILER for Exorcist II: The Heretic And Now the Screaming Starts 40% 43% And Now the Screaming Starts Watchlist The Blood on Satan's Claw 73% 58% The Blood on Satan's Claw Watchlist The Dunwich Horror 29% 29% The Dunwich Horror Watchlist Horror Express 80% 53% Horror Express Watchlist Discover more movies and TV shows. View More

Movie Info

Synopsis One of the most profitable horror movies ever made, this tale of an exorcism is based loosely on actual events. When young Regan (Linda Blair) starts acting odd -- levitating, speaking in tongues -- her worried mother (Ellen Burstyn) seeks medical help, only to hit a dead end. A local priest (Jason Miller), however, thinks the girl may be seized by the devil. The priest makes a request to perform an exorcism, and the church sends in an expert (Max von Sydow) to help with the difficult job.
Director
William Friedkin
Producer
William Peter Blatty
Screenwriter
William Peter Blatty
Distributor
Warner Bros. Pictures
Production Co
Warner Brothers, Hoya Productions
Rating
R
Genre
Horror
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Dec 26, 1973, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
Jul 24, 2014
Box Office (Gross USA)
$441.4M
Runtime
2h 2m
Sound Mix
Surround
Aspect Ratio
Flat (1.85:1)
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