The Exorcist
A skeptical priest and a desperate mother confront a demonic possession that turns a Georgetown home into a battleground for faith and survival.
Overview
A chilling tale of possession and faith that will haunt your dreams.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Extreme
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Graphic
- foreboding
- oppressive
- disturbing
- late night horror viewing
- classic horror marathon
What critics said
Critics broadly regard the film as a technically accomplished, intelligent, intensely unsettling landmark of supernatural horror, distinguished by strong performances and slow-building dread.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Regan's transformation unfolds in a Washington home while her mother consults medical and religious authorities.
Father Karras doubts his beliefs while coping with his mother's terminal sickness and the possession case.
The story moves from observed behavioral and physical changes toward increasingly urgent intervention by the Catholic Church.
Regan's altered physical appearance, the bedroom setting, and the exorcism ritual are rendered with harsh material intensity.
Films like The Exorcist, and why
The Omen
shares slow-building supernatural horror, religious doubt, and a grounded domestic setting disrupted by demonic forces
The Conjuring
shares Catholic imagery, psychological dread, and a serious supernatural confrontation rather than action-driven scares
The Exorcism of Emily Rose
shares possession-centered horror, intense religious themes, and a young person endangered by an uncanny presence
The Changeling
shares atmospheric supernatural terror, institutional investigation, and a mature, unsettling tone
Movie Details
- Director
- William Friedkin
- Release Date
- 1973-12-26
- Runtime
- 122 min
- Rating
- 7.7 / 10 (8900)
Cast
- Ellen Burstyn
- Linda Blair
- Jason Miller
- Max von Sydow
- Lee J. Cobb
- William O'Malley
- Kitty Winn
- Barton Heyman
- Peter Masterson
- Jack MacGowran
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- AMC
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, Plex
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is The Exorcist about?
- A skeptical priest and a desperate mother confront a demonic possession that turns a Georgetown home into a battleground for faith and survival.
- What is The Exorcist like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of The Exorcist as measured, its intensity as extreme and its storytelling as layered.
- Is The Exorcist violent?
- Yes. Ember rates the violence in The Exorcist as graphic.
- What did critics think of The Exorcist?
- Critics broadly regard the film as a technically accomplished, intelligent, intensely unsettling landmark of supernatural horror, distinguished by strong performances and slow-building dread.
- Which films are like The Exorcist?
- Films with a similar feel include The Omen, The Conjuring, The Exorcism of Emily Rose, and The Changeling.
- How long is The Exorcist?
- The Exorcist runs 122 minutes.
- Where can I watch The Exorcist?
- In United States, The Exorcist streams on AMC.
