The Exorcist: Believer is a 2023 American supernatural horror film directed by David Gordon Green, who co-wrote the screenplay with Peter Sattler from a story by Scott Teems, Danny McBride, and Green. It is a sequel to the 1973 film The Exorcist, and stars Leslie Odom Jr. as Victor Fielding, a single father whose daughter, Angela, is possessed by a demon.
The film opens with Victor and Angela living in a small town in the United States. Angela begins to exhibit strange behavior, such as speaking in tongues and levitating. Victor is initially skeptical of the possibility of demonic possession, but as Angela’s behavior worsens, he begins to seek help from a priest.
Father Maddox (E.J. Bonilla), a young and inexperienced priest, is assigned to Angela’s case. He is initially hesitant to perform an exorcism, but he is eventually convinced that it is the only way to save Angela’s soul.
Meanwhile, Chris MacNeil (Ellen Burstyn), the mother of the possessed girl from the first film, is drawn into Angela’s case. Chris is a reluctant believer in demonic possession, but she is determined to help Victor and Angela.
Synopsis
The film follows Victor Fielding, a single father who is struggling to raise his daughter, Angela. Angela is a bright and cheerful child, but she begins to exhibit strange behavior, such as speaking in tongues and levitating. Victor is initially skeptical of the possibility of demonic possession, but as Angela’s behavior worsens, he begins to seek help from a priest.
Father Maddox, a young and inexperienced priest, is assigned to Angela’s case. He is initially hesitant to perform an exorcism, but he is eventually convinced that it is the only way to save Angela’s soul.
Meanwhile, Chris MacNeil, the mother of the possessed girl from the first film, is drawn into Angela’s case. Chris is a reluctant believer in demonic possession, but she is determined to help Victor and Angela.
The film is a well-made and suspenseful horror film. The performances are strong, and the special effects are effective. The film is also faithful to the original film, while adding its own unique elements.
The film received mixed reviews from critics. Some critics praised the film’s scares and suspense, while others criticized the film’s unoriginality and lack of scares.
The film was a box office success, grossing over $135 million worldwide.
The making of the film
The Exorcist: Believer was a long-gestating project that was first announced in 2018. The film was directed by David Gordon Green, who co-wrote the screenplay with Peter Sattler from a story by Scott Teems, Danny McBride, and Green.
The film was originally planned to be released in 2022, but it was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It was finally released in theaters on October 6, 2023.
The director
David Gordon Green is an American filmmaker who is known for his work on the films Pineapple Express (2008), Your Highness (2011), and Halloween (2018). He is also the creator of the television series Eastbound & Down (2009-2013) and Vice Principals (2016-2018).
Green is a talented filmmaker who is known for his dark humor and his ability to create suspenseful and atmospheric films. He was a good choice to direct The Exorcist: Believer, as he was able to capture the tone and atmosphere of the original film while also adding his own unique touch.
The screenwriters
Peter Sattler and Scott Teems are both American screenwriters who have worked on a variety of films and television shows. Sattler is known for his work on the films The Neighbor (2014) and The Guilty (2021), while Teems is known for his work on the films The Belko Experiment (2016) and The Hunt (2020).
Sattler and Teems did a good job of writing a screenplay that was faithful to the original film while also adding their own unique elements. They created believable characters and a compelling story that kept audiences engaged.
The cast
The Exorcist: Believer features a talented cast that includes Leslie Odom Jr., E.J. Bonilla, and Ellen Burstyn.
Leslie Odom Jr. is an American actor and singer who is known for his work on the films Hamilton (2015), One Night in Miami… (2020), and Respect (2021). He gives a strong performance as Victor Fielding, a single father who is struggling to deal with his daughter’s possession.
E.J. Bonilla is an American actor who is known for his work on the television series The Good Wife (2009-2016) and The Good Fight (2017-2023). He gives a solid performance as Father Maddox, a young priest who is called upon to perform an exorcism.
Ellen Burstyn is an American actress who is known for her work on the films The Exorcist (1973), The Godfather (1972), and Requiem for a Dream (2000). She gives a memorable performance as Chris MacNeil, the mother of the possessed girl from the first film.
Standout performances
Leslie Odom Jr. and Ellen Burstyn give standout performances in The Exorcist: Believer. Odom Jr. brings depth and emotion to the role of Victor Fielding, while Burstyn is still mesmerizing as Chris MacNeil.
Odom Jr.’s performance is particularly notable because he is able to create a sympathetic character who is also believable as a skeptical father. He is able to convey Victor’s fear, anger, and determination in a way that is both raw and affecting.
Burstyn’s performance is also impressive because she is able to recapture the same sense of terror and intensity that she brought to the role of Chris MacNeil in the original film. She is still a force to be reckoned with, and her performance is one of the highlights of the film.
Visual quality
The Exorcist: Believer is a visually stunning film. The cinematography is well-done, and the film has a dark and atmospheric tone that is reminiscent of the original film. The special effects are also effective, and they help to create a sense of realism and suspense.
Costumes
The costumes in The Exorcist: Believer are well-designed and help to create the film’s period setting. The characters’ clothing is appropriate for their time and place, and it helps to create a sense of authenticity.
Special effects
The special effects in The Exorcist: Believer are effective and help to create a sense of realism and suspense. The CGI is well-done, and it helps to bring the demonic possession to life.
Music
The music in The Exorcist: Believer is atmospheric and helps to create a sense of dread and suspense. The score is composed by Tyler Bates, who has also composed the scores for films such as Guardians of the Galaxy (2014) and John Wick (2014).
Overall, The Exorcist: Believer is a visually stunning film with well-designed costumes, effective special effects, and atmospheric music.
Specific examples
Here are some specific examples of the film’s visual quality, costumes, special effects, and music:
The film’s opening scene, which shows Angela Fielding’s possession, is particularly well-shot. The cinematography is dark and atmospheric, and the special effects are effective in creating a sense of realism.
The film’s costumes are well-designed and help to create the film’s period setting. For example, Victor Fielding’s clothing is appropriate for a single father living in a small town in the 1980s.
The special effects in the film’s exorcism scenes are particularly effective. The CGI is well-done, and it helps to bring the demonic possession to life.
The music in the film is atmospheric and helps to create a sense of dread and suspense. For example, the score during the exorcism scenes is particularly intense and helps to build suspense.
Reflections
The Exorcist: Believer is a film that explores a number of themes, including:
Faith and doubt
Generational trauma
The nature of evil
The film suggests that faith can be a powerful force for good, but it can also be a source of doubt and uncertainty. It also suggests that generational trauma can have a profound impact on individuals and families. Finally, the film explores the nature of evil and the question of whether it is a real or imagined force.
Curiosities
Here are some curiosities about The Exorcist: Believer:
The film was originally planned to be released in 2022, but it was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The film was shot in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.
The film features a cameo appearance by William Peter Blatty, the author of the novel The Exorcist and the screenplay for the original film.
Criticism and reception
The Exorcist: Believer received mixed reviews from critics. Some critics praised the film’s scares and suspense, while others criticized the film’s unoriginality and lack of scares.
The film was a box office success, grossing over $135 million worldwide.
Strengths
The Exorcist: Believer is a well-made and suspenseful horror film. The performances are strong, and the special effects are effective. The film is also faithful to the original film, while adding its own unique elements.
Weaknesses
The film is not as scary as the original film, and it does not offer any new or groundbreaking insights into the themes it explores.
Overall, The Exorcist: Believer is a well-made and suspenseful horror film that is sure to please fans of the genre. The film is faithful to the original film, while adding its own unique elements. The performances are strong, and the special effects are effective. The film also explores a number of interesting themes, such as faith, doubt, and generational trauma.
However, the film is not as scary as the original film, and it does not offer any new or groundbreaking insights into the themes it explores. Nevertheless, The Exorcist: Believer is a solid sequel that is sure to entertain fans of the original film.
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