Summary
The controversial topic ofexorcismhas proven itself ripe for the horror movie genre over the decades. Unsurprisingly, the notion of having one’s body hijacked by a demonic entity can provide a wealth of scares to give audiences jumps and nightmares.
From classic horror flicks that established the power of the themes on offer, to modern thrillers that have taken the subject in new directions,exorcism moviescontinue to fascinate viewers today. Of the many suspenseful films on offer that zero in on this subject, a select few have managed to stand out from the rest. From seminal scares to creative storytelling, these horror movies deliverthe demon-expelling goodsbetter than the rest.
4The Exorcism of Emily Rose (2005)
Provides A Poignant Look At The Impact Of A Deadly Exorcism
Dexterstar Jennifer Carpenterlit up the screen with an incredible, physical performance in this melancholy horror gem.The Exorcism of Emily Rosefollows a lawyer, played by Laura Linney, who must defend a priest, played by Tom Wilkinson, on trial for negligent homicide due to a fatal attempt at an exorcism.
The exorcism itself unfolds over the course of the film through flashbacks. An otherworldly sense of dread takes over in the present day scenes as well, as even the lawyer begins to experience unsettling phenomena. An early effort fromSinisterandThe Black PhonemastermindScott Derrickson, the exorcism sequences pack a punch, while the courtroom drama offers a new twist on the exorcism horror subgenre. Surprisingly low on gore and shock value, the film relies more on suspense, as well as a variety of unsettling contortions from the titular character, to establish the terrifying situation at hand.
3The Exorcist 3 (1990)
Expands On The Original’s Mythos To Murderous Effect
This unsettling sequel to the 70s classic has garnered an unfortunatereputation as a serial killer favoritethanks to Jeffrey Dahmer and Danny Rolling. Beyond the bizarre fascination that it’s stirred up in some of the United States’ most depraved criminals,The Exorcist 3is a fascinating and dark study of possession, madness, and death.
George C. Scott livens up the screen as Lieutenant Kinderman, hot on the trail of a seemingly dead serial killer. The case draws him back to the events of the original film, as the presumed dead Father Damien Karras comes back into the picture. With a suitably unpleasant performance from Brad Dourif as The Gemini Killer, and several well-executed jump scares, the film builds up to a tasteless but genuinely terrifying climax. In the face of a catastrophic exorcism attempt and a monstrous entity committing all manner of blasphemies and torment, it falls to Kinderman to save the dayin this underrated horror masterpiece.
2The Last Exorcism (2010)
Provides Found-Footage Thrills
The polarizing found-footage genre is used to intriguing effect in this unnerving chiller.The Last Exorcisminitially focuses on a reverend’s attempts to expose and nullify the exorcism process, coming across very believably as a somewhat blasé mockumentary in the process.
Unfortunately, a genuine demonic presence changes everything, throwing both the characters and the viewers into a chaotic, mysterious situation. When a fake exorcism seemingly reveals real evil, the reverend andthe documentary teamquickly find themselves horrifyingly out of their depth. As they unravel the mystery before them, it becomes clear that a much more sinister conspiracy is afoot. With a suitably creepy tone and pace,The Last Exorcismworks its way to an impressively dark climax, weaving together a decent mystery along the way. The sequel made the strange decision to return to a more standard filmmaking style, ditching the found footage approach, and potentially robbing viewers of what could’ve been an innovative franchise.
1The Exorcist (1973)
Remains The Benchmark In Exorcism Horror
William Friedkin’s dramatic horror classicset the pop-culture world on fire upon its 1973 release. Adapted from William Peter Blatty’s well-regarded novel, the film follows the grueling efforts of two Jesuit priests to exorcise a demonically-possessed girl.
With sharp performances, innovative editing, and a haunting atmosphere throughout,The Exorciststill packs a punch over 50 years later. The film’s blunt, grisly depictions of possession, blasphemy, and haunting left audiences’ jaws on the floor at the time of its release. Beyond the horror,The Exorcistoffers a rich, challenging look at faith and identity, as the protagonist, Father Damien Karras, grapples with his place in the church before coming face to face with a true demon. A landmark moment in American cinema,The Exorcistis still the measuring stick by which all exorcism films - and arguably horror movies as a whole - have since been measured.
