The Exorcist follows a young girl, Regan, whose increasingly disturbing behaviour leads her mother to seek medical and spiritual help. When science fails to explain what’s happening, two Catholic priests, one grappling with doubt and the other seasoned in ritual, confront a powerful demonic possession. The film builds a tense, unsettling clash between faith and evil, exploring belief, sacrifice, and the terrifying cost of confronting the unknown.
Cast: Linda Blair (Regan), Jason Miller (Damien Karras), Max Von Sydow (Lankester Merrin)
When The Exorcist was released in 1974, it carried a warning label for all viewers. Audiences reportedly fainted and suffered serious health complications. Some even fled cinemas, where ambulances were stationed on standby outside. The film had a profound and lasting impact on several generations, many of whom were deeply shaken by it both during and after watching. Even members of the cast found the filming process difficult, as they felt the set itself was cursed. There were deaths, accidents, and numerous unexplained incidents associated with the production. Compounding these difficulties was an eccentric director whose methods often terrorised the cast in an effort to extract the strongest possible performances.
So, how realistic is The Exorcist?
I have been a healer and an exorcist for over forty years, and during that time, I have attended to many cases involving varying degrees of possession and attachment. To begin with, while the movie is interesting to watch, it does not accurately reflect a real-life possession case of posspossession caseession. I agree that certain elements ring true, such as some changes in facial features, the cold, glazed eyes, and even the changed voice. However, I have never encountered projectile vomiting, a three hundred and sixty degree rotation of the head, levitation, or dramatic physical transformations. What I have experienced instead includes formidable physical strength and distinct voice changes. I have also experienced sudden temperature changes, such as when a church became uncomfortably cold. In the movie, we see the entity taunt everyone psychologically, which is quite accurate. This is one of the methods they use to wear us down, weaken us, and eventually break us. It is absolutely vital for an exorcist to have done work on themselves, to emotionally and mentally prepare for whatever may emerge from Pandora’s box. It took me ten years of counselling and healing to be prepared to serve at this level. Every exorcism is a battle to the end, and an exorcist should be well aware of the possible consequences; you do not go into battle if you are afraid to die.
In the movie, we see priests using the Bible, prayers, and holy water on the possessed girl, yet the entity appears to have the upper hand and even takes delight in taunting them. In real life, entities employ many forms of distraction and fear tactics, and at times they may even succeed. I have always believed that true faith, mental strength, and resilience are the most effective tools in such cases. This is demonstrated at the end of the film, when the priest challenges the entity to leave the girl and take him instead. His sacrifice results in his own death, but it saves the girl. This is the same priest who was plagued by guilt and doubt, and yet he finds his faith in a remarkable way and redeems himself through his actions.
The Exorcist was a great movie for its time, filled with impressive cinematic techniques and special effects. The actors went to great lengths to create a masterpiece that will be remembered for years to come. Still, it should be taken at face value. It is a movie, and it does not accurately reflect real-life possession, which may, in a way, be a great relief to some including
me.
Rating: 6.5/10
