Nerds That Geek Movie Review: ‘The Exorcist’

Written by Scott Edwards

There are some movies that just grow on you over the years and when you are able to find one that you really like, you might as well make time to watch it. One of my favorite horror movies from the past has always been The Exorcist and I know that there are so many people out there that understand why. If you are a lover of horror movies, this would have to be in your top ten list and if it is not, then we will have to have a little talk about what a horror movie really is. Well, I am starting my Exorcist movie reviews to amuse myself and hopefully you will come along for the ride.

Chris MacNeil is a single mother who also happens to be an actress. Being able to support her daughter Regan has never been a problem for her and she has never had an issue. But when Chris finds that Regan has found an Ouija board in the house, she is very curious if her daughter has used it. Saying that she talks to Captain Howdy on the regular, Regan has no fear and is going along as being her happy self. But there is something changing in the young girl and it is paining Chris to not know what it is. Taking Regan to the doctor, she is prescribed pills to change her attitude, but they only appear to be making her worse. When the doctors are not able to pinpoint what is happening to the young girl, they do start to believe that it is in her head and that Chris should find a psychiatrist.

Father Damien Karras works at the church down the street from the MacNeil’s and knows nothing about what is happening in the home, since he has his own problems. With his mother declining in health, he wants to be reassigned so he can take care of her, but her death comes too soon and Karras does not have a good way of coping with his loss. Hearing from a priest that is working on the set of Chris MacNeil’s movie that she is having problems with her daughter, Karras reluctantly meets with the actress. Not wanting to take on the case, he humors Chris and sees what is happening to the child. Chris has asked him for an exorcism, but he will need proof to take back to the church to have it approved. Not everything that he has witnessed leads him to believe that it will be approved, but God is watching over the MacNeil’s home for at least one day.

Father Merrin is called in by the church to carry out the exorcism and even at his advanced age and declining health, he is the right man for the job. With Father Karras at his side, he is ready to battle the demon that is living inside of Regan and get the girl back. Not wanting to know anything that Karras has found out about who or what is inside of the girl, he gives Karras the rules, the first one is that the demon will lie often, but it will also hide some truth when it speaks as well. Not being phased by what has been laid out before him, Father Merrin battles with the demon mercilessly. Damien is shocked by what is happening to young Regan and sent on his way when his faith is challenged. But when Chris sees the first person that believed her sitting on the sideline, he feels sorry for himself and even more so for Regan and has to jump back into action before time runs out.

What is it about this movie that makes it into the classic that we know and love today?  I know it was the first movie to defile a cross on the big screen and show some of the scariest images that we could only imagine, but I don’t think that is it. I think it is the story and how every character in the movie is introduced and we get to see their motivations without it feeling forced upon us. Father Karras still has to be my favorite character in this movie and he keeps growing on me as myself and my family are getting up there in years. Wanting what is best for his mother and losing her in the worst fashion he could imagine, well you can see his pain from the get go. Now don’t get me wrong, Regan was fantastic as well, along with Chris but one of the understated characters that did not get enough screen time was Sharon, Chris’s assistant. She is kept in the background but when she is put on the screen, you now know that she had a very important reason to be there. I have always had a small hole open in my heart for this movie and I don’t see it being replaced anytime soon. It is hard to replace a classic, but I hope someday that someone is able to. Stay Scared.

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