Exorcist II: The Heretic

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Exorcist II: The Heretic

R

1977

1h 57m

Horror

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

10%

Tomatometer

69 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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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

09/18/2023

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.

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David Robinson

Financial Times

10/27/2021

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

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David Pirie

Time Out

10/27/2021

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.

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Bryce Hanson

Horror Movie Talk

Sep 23

3/10

In short, a bunch of people that should have known better than to absolutely abandon everything that made the original good.

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Eddie Harrison

film-authority.com

05/15/2025

2/5

…it takes real talent to make a truly awful movie; viewing Exorcist II is like viewing the ruins of a temple to an unknown god, a brain-boggling, dreamlike, profoundly mystifying experience…

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Grant Watson

Fiction Machine

01/23/2025

4/10

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

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Bailey S

@Bailey2002 May 2

I'm not actually a horror person, but yeah, it sucked. The story is so bad and forgettable, the actors is blend, and the storyline of Regan recovering is still a good thing after the first. Stupid and pretty dumb sequel. NEVER WATCH IT! It's bad!

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lolblog T

@RT47829063 Apr 13

the main actress is such a blessing, despite the movie not having a very good argument, or maybe too much of a story for a "scary" movie, for me it wasnt hard to finish it, like most of movies, bc of the good acting, and incredible vibe of Linda Blair, im such a fan, but i gotta admit, maybe the movie wasnt that good, that's why 6 out 10, just for Linda

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Claire L

@Claire7bear Feb 3

Absolute rubbish. I can’t believe they got all these amazing actors to do this train wreck of a film. I’d give it less than 1 Star if it was possible.

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Linkin E

@LinkZuh Dec 13

I Think I’m The Only ‘Exorcist II: The Heretic (1977)’ Lover. I Know There’s Only About 5% People Who Love This. And One Of Them Is Me. It’s Directed By John Boorman. And Absolutely No Input From Creator William Peter Blatty Or Original Director William Friedkin. Anyways. It Brings Back 2 Characters From The Original ‘The Exorcist (1973)’. Regan MacNeil And Sharon Spencer. Now, I Seen It From Start To Finish. Okay, The Only Thing That Had Me Disappointed Was The Quality. But It Was Fine, It Was A Good Film. And It Was A Bit Good As The Original. Loved It From Start To Finish.

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Rehan T

@RT81460504 Sep 21

It is an alright movie, but not on the level of the first one. They should have casted Mrs. MacNeil. And the story and direction could have been much better...

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Alec B

@AlecMichaelB Sep 6

Exorcist II: The Heretic is a baffling, disjointed sequel that squanders the chilling power of the original. I struggled to stay focused throughout the entire movie, and the plot was so mishapen, it drowns viewers in incoherent mysticism and stilted dialogue. The film’s special effects feel dated and awkward, even compared to the first film. The returning cast is talented, but they still couldn't salvage the clunky pacing or bizarre tonal shifts.

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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

Sharon Spencer

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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)