Quartile rating: 8/10 · 1 rating
When a mysterious entity possesses a young girl, her mother seeks the help of two Catholic priests to save her life.
The Exorcist remains a landmark of horror cinema. Ellen Burstyn and Linda Blair deliver raw, unforgettable performances, with Max von Sydow lending gravitas to the climax. Cinematographer Owen Roizman's work is masterful — the slow dread of the fog-lit Georgetown streets and the claustrophobic bedroom are iconic. Its novelty is undeniable: it essentially invented the prestige supernatural horror film, blending genuine theological weight with visceral terror in a way no film had before or since. The plot is lean but effective, though it functions more as a delivery mechanism for atmosphere and character than a structurally complex narrative. The ending, while emotionally resonant, is somewhat abrupt and leaves certain threads dangling — a modest letdown after the sustained brilliance of what precedes it.