Exorcist II: The Heretic

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Exorcist II: The Heretic

R

Released Jun 17, 1977

1h 57m

Horror

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

10%

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67 Reviews

13%

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25,000+ Ratings

Owing to his experience with exorcisms, Father Lamont (Richard Burton) is chosen by his superiors to investigate the death of Father Merrin (Max von Sydow), who died during the exorcism of young Regan MacNeil (Linda Blair). Lamont finds Regan under the psychiatric care of Dr. Tuskin (Louise Fletcher). By hypnotizing the girl, he is able to learn that Merrin previously exorcised the same demon from a boy in Africa. Hoping for answers, Lamont travels to Africa in search of the youth.

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Critics Consensus

Hokey mystical effects, lousy plotting, and worse acting directly tarnishes the first's chilling legacy.

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Pauline Kael

The New Yorker

There’s enough visual magic in it for a dozen good movies; what the picture lacks is judgment -- the first casualty of the moviemaking obsession.

Sep 18, 2023

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David Robinson

Financial Times

A rather costly load of old nonsense, distinguished mainly by fine colour photography.

Oct 27, 2021

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David Pirie

Time Out

The theme is attacked with engaging intensity, and Boorman brings off more than one visual coup (notably the ingenious locust photography in the African sequences). Dennis Wheatley fans, at least, will love it.

Oct 27, 2021

Full Review

Grant Watson

Fiction Machine

Here’s an interesting question: when it comes to sequels, which would you prefer? A boring success, or an interesting failure?

Rated: 4/10

Jan 23, 2025

Full Review

David Reddish

CBR

Watching a director attempt something wild and different, even when they fail, will hold interest more than any decent but mediocre and forgettable movie ever could. Call this particular sequel a disaster, but don’t call it boring.

Rated: 2/4

Nov 19, 2024

Full Review

Kayleigh Donaldson

Pajiba

The final product may not equal the sum of its parts but those disparate parts are striking, daring, truly bananas, and driven by a filmmaker eager to make something truly unique, and not just in comparison to its predecessor.

Oct 9, 2023

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babarizam D

I think this movie is highly misunderstood because it doesn't fit in horror genre. A great investigative work of The Exorcism performed in previous movie .

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/20/25

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Alexander S

No one knows what’s happening in the film. Exorcist II: The Heretic lulls us into a trance with its convoluted plot, which is filled with a series of random, bizarre sequences that have nothing to do with The Exorcist, intended to give this film’s scares, but they only serve to highlight the film’s poor writing. Another instance where a film is so bad that it can be watchable because of its sheer awfulness. Grading: D-

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

02/16/25

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Buzz C

COME FLY THE TEETH OF THE WIND!!!! Exorcist 2 The Heretic is a misunderstood gem! The soundtrack is beautiful and the movie is brilliant! Pazuzu's Regan is the only Regan! If you don't like this movie you have bad taste!!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/15/25

Full Review

Dan R

1977 saw the first sequel to 'The Exorcist' with the 'Exorcist II: The Heretic'. SYNOPSIS: 'A teenage girl once possessed by a demon finds that it still lurks within her. Meanwhile, a priest investigates the death of the girl's exorcist.' Proof that even the best intentions don't lead to successful sequels and that even amazing acting talent can't always carry a movie. The film is a perfect mix of tedium and hilarity, and it's easy to understand why audiences back in the day actually threw items at the screen. Yes, that actually happened. I'm not sure if Richard Burton is hamming it up, can't be bothered or is completely drunk out of his brain during filming, or all of the above, but his performance must be seen to be believed. What a shameless, awful follow up to one of horror's greatest moments this film is. An inept sequel. 4/10

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

11/30/24

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CodyZamboni Z

Embarrassing, Silly, Pointless, And ultimately very sad, Given the talent involved, to come up with this laughable mess, that is the most shocking thing about this movie.

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

08/18/24

Full Review

Audience Member

Great movie, a few bad critics really painted this one into a corner and a lot of people must've went in thinking too critical when they first watched. I can't believe this movie was put out in 77. What a masterpiece. Shame on the biased reviewers who seem to have no clue what's even going on in the movie and decided to rip it to shreds cause it wasn't as simple and provacative as the original, not saying I don't love the first movie as well. This is the first time I've seen this movie, as the reviews always turned me off of watching this precious gem, and I'm glad I did with a fresh outlook on it, being in the right headspace, cause otherwise I'd be here like everyone else giving it one star without even trying to appreciate it. Ya'll must've hated halloween 3 too lol.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/02/24

Full Review

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John Boorman

Director

Linda Blair

Regan MacNeil

Richard Burton

Father Philip Lamont

Louise Fletcher

Dr. Gene Tuskin

Max von Sydow

Father Merrin

Kitty Winn

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Exorcist II: The Heretic: Trailer 1

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Synopsis

Owing to his experience with exorcisms, Father Lamont (Richard Burton) is chosen by his superiors to investigate the death of Father Merrin (Max von Sydow), who died during the exorcism of young Regan MacNeil (Linda Blair). Lamont finds Regan under the psychiatric care of Dr. Tuskin (Louise Fletcher). By hypnotizing the girl, he is able to learn that Merrin previously exorcised the same demon from a boy in Africa. Hoping for answers, Lamont travels to Africa in search of the youth.

Director: John Boorman
Producer: John Boorman, Richard Lederer
Screenwriter: William Goodhart
Production Co: Warner Brothers/Seven Arts
Rating: R
Genre: Horror
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jun 17, 1977, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 19, 2016
Runtime: 1h 57m
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)

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