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The Exorcist III

Play trailer 1:48 Poster for The Exorcist III R 1990 1h 50m Horror Play Trailer Watchlist
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58% Tomatometer 45 Reviews 57% Popcornmeter 25,000+ Ratings
Police Lt. Kinderman (George C. Scott) notices similarities between his current murder investigation and the methods used by the Gemini killer (Brad Dourif) who was executed 15 years before. He soon discovers a hospitalized mental patient (Jason Miller) claiming to be the dead serial killer, but who looks uncannily like a priest Kinderman knew who died during an exorcism. As more bodies are found, Kinderman looks for connections between the two supposedly dead men.
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The Exorcist III

The Exorcist III

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Critics Consensus

The Exorcist III is a talky, literary sequel with some scary moments that rival anything from the original.

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Critics Reviews

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Anton Bitel Little White Lies Watching The Exorcist III is a frustrating experience, with both cuts of the film - one a victim of studio tampering, the other imperfectly restored - pointing to the better version of themselves that, like Karras, remains hidden within. Dec 9, 2019 Full Review A.A. Dowd AV Club Against his will, Blatty added the sound-and-fury finale, and it's easily the weakest aspect of his movie. But that's mainly because everything that comes before it is so hauntingly understated. Oct 8, 2018 Full Review Kim Newman Empire Magazine Too much of the movie takes place in dark rooms where people describe horrors that might more profitably have been on the screen, and the plot is a house of cards that constantly collapses. Rated: 2/5 Oct 8, 2018 Full Review Cheryl Eddy io9.com The series' best sequel to date. Sep 22, 2023 Full Review Matt Brunson Film Frenzy The film is excessive in many spots -- did we really need a lavish dream sequence, or cameos by the likes of Larry King, former Surgeon General C. Everett Koop, and Fabio? Rated: 2.5/4 Apr 1, 2023 Full Review Rene Jordan El Nuevo Herald (Miami) Antiquated melodrama, almost sacrilegious. [Full review in Spanish] Nov 11, 2022 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Wayne K After the dismal failure of Exorcist 2: The Heretic, a sequel that remains one of cinemas biggest punching bags, it makes sense that those in charge would want to get back on track with a 3rd film that isn’t justified, but after number 2 they probably felt like they had to make it just to get the rotten taste out of their mouths. The Exorcist III is a very different movie from the first, now being more of a police procedural with horror overtones and a very creepy atmosphere. George C. Scott brings his usual brand of gruff intensity to the role, playing a cop who’s somewhat jaded and cynical but perceptive and determined. Jason Miller is back as Father Karras, though not credited as such, a decision that makes complete sense when you’ve seen the film. The Gemini Killer makes for an intimidating and powerful antagonist, because rather than going down the typical villain of route of long monologues with little payoff, there’s always a sense of danger surrounding them, and the power they have makes them a very real threat, and Brad Dourif is clearly having a whale of a time playing the role. The film has an unsettling vibe and some great cinematography, and while it might not measure up to the original in terms of scares, it’s a very good horror flick in its own right, and a great way to steer the ship back on course after the nightmare that was The Heretic. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 11/01/25 Full Review ChrisCSH H The exorcist 3 is definitely better than the sequel, but not quite as entertaining as the original but George C Scott has a great performance in the film as well as Brad Dourif. There are a few haunting and scary jump scares throughout this film and some scenes do come close to the original in scary content, but overall a creepy and decent horror film. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 10/25/25 Full Review Jason H I've often said "religion is rubbish, but it makes for great theatre". This movie is Exhibit A. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 10/20/25 Full Review Troy V This was a great movie Rated 5 out of 5 stars 10/03/25 Full Review Audience Member Its really hard to believe that this movie is from the same series of The Exorcist. Glad to see Jason Miller was in the movie. But, this is definitely worse than the sequel. Of course, the best one was the first 1973 one. I don't understand why they cannot continue with the original cast... Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars 09/22/25 Full Review Jose P. Highly underrated gem. Think of a cop thriller with a supernatural/horror twist. Only loosely based on the original. Also a lot of humor and wit in the first half of the film. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 07/22/25 Full Review Read all reviews
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Movie Info

Synopsis Police Lt. Kinderman (George C. Scott) notices similarities between his current murder investigation and the methods used by the Gemini killer (Brad Dourif) who was executed 15 years before. He soon discovers a hospitalized mental patient (Jason Miller) claiming to be the dead serial killer, but who looks uncannily like a priest Kinderman knew who died during an exorcism. As more bodies are found, Kinderman looks for connections between the two supposedly dead men.
Director
William Peter Blatty
Producer
Carter DeHaven, James G. Robinson
Screenwriter
William Peter Blatty
Production Co
Morgan Creek Productions
Rating
R
Genre
Horror
Original Language
English
Release Date (Streaming)
Oct 25, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA)
$25.0M
Runtime
1h 50m
Sound Mix
Surround
Aspect Ratio
Flat (1.85:1)
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