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Exorcist II: The Heretic

Play trailer 1:42 Poster for Exorcist II: The Heretic R Released Jun 17, 1977 1h 57m Horror Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
10% Tomatometer 67 Reviews 13% Popcornmeter 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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Exorcist II: The Heretic

Exorcist II: The Heretic

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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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Critics Reviews

View All (67) Critics Reviews
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 Full Review David Robinson Financial Times A rather costly load of old nonsense, distinguished mainly by fine colour photography. Oct 27, 2021 Full Review 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 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View All (872) audience reviews
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 Full Review 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 Shane C Horrible. It takes everything the first movie does and throws it out the window. I'm sorry Linda Blair was even in this. What a bad, boring movie. Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars 07/19/24 Full Review Darrin N Not as good as the original but still a good follow up. Great cast and photography. Didn't deserve the criticism it received Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 06/15/24 Full Review GPhonse257 Maybe not quite the worst horror movie ever made, but it's definitely the worst of the Exorcist movies. I felt that this movie was cheesy, and the storyline lacked substance for me. The first Exorcist movie was one of the best horror movies ever made, and it's sequel (Exorcist II: The Heretic) was one of the worst horror movies ever made. Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars 12/30/23 Full Review Read all reviews
Exorcist II: The Heretic

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Cast & Crew

Deadly Friend 20% 38% Deadly Friend Watchlist TRAILER for Deadly Friend The Hand 29% 28% The Hand Watchlist The Exorcist 78% 87% The Exorcist Watchlist J.D.'s Revenge 50% 62% J.D.'s Revenge Watchlist Phantasm 73% 67% Phantasm Watchlist TRAILER for Phantasm Discover more movies and TV shows. View More

Movie Info

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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