William Friedkin directs Ellen Burstyn, Jason Miller and Max Von Sydow in this blockbuster prestige adaptation of William Peter Blatty’s demonic possession horror. 

As a shocker The Exorcist is starting to creak and show its age. Slow moving, with transgressive images that maybe are no longer as powerful, and themes of faith and belief that feel outmoded to a largely agnostic audience. But as an immaculately assembled drama tinged with extreme supernatural elements it remains challenging, instilling in you wafts of niggling doubt and uncertainty. It is a classy and intelligent act of constant manipulation, one that impresses almost inspite of its genre trappings. The subliminal faces emerging, kinetic attacks reverberating and endurance test finale all still tumble into place perfectly. Miller’s central turn is emotionally engaging too.

9

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