The scariest horror film ever made! Special effects and grisly makeup that will make you pass out and throw up in fear! The best piece of horror ever created!
THE EXORCIST shocked the world in 1973. It became one of the highest grossing horror films (and films in general) of all time. It struck fear into many and is still touted as the greatest/scariest horror film in existence. I accept this feeling for 1973, but I argue that it doesn’t quite hold up today.
Although commonplace nowadays, this was one of the first possession films to make it big in Hollywood. Regan and her mother live a happy life in their family home until, after contacting spirits, she begins acting strange. Test after test shows nothing wrong with her and there is only one explanation and solution left: possession and an exorcism. The devil is inside her and the ancient ritual must be performed to stop the attacks on her body: the violence, the spewing of bodily fluids, and the sexual perversions.
America of 1973 wasn’t ready for this film. In an undoubtedly more religious culture unfamiliar with possession films and grisly horror just recently becoming popular, THE EXORCIST pushed many boundaries. I will give it credit where credit is due; having a little girl look so grotesque, scream obscenities, and defile her body with a crucifix is disturbing and jarring. It certainly paved the way for future gore and I respect its willingness to push limits. I still wouldn’t call it scary, though. That could be because I’m familiar with this narrative by now and speaking from a modern standpoint, but I only see it as a bit disturbing. The “horror” is quite mediocre and cheesy; it doesn’t get the reaction out of today’s audience that it once did.
The pacing is also bad. The story is slow. It takes so long for something to happen, and by the time it does it’s lackluster and I’m over it. It is an incredibly slow paced film and even the climax at the end is short and doesn’t have too much action. It doesn’t feel like a horror movie to me and that’s part of my problem with it.
But I will say, in terms of directing and cinematography, it’s mostly good. Unlike most horror films, it has an elegant feel. It’s like a classy horror movie, and not too horrific, to draw in a bigger audience. My one complaint in this category is the editing. Many cuts feel ill-timed and out of place. Overall, though, a nice look, elegant sets, and a timeless horror aesthetic.
I personally dislike this movie quite a bit. It’s a very underwhelming piece of horror that has been overhyped for years like its the scariest thing. I find it slow, with pacing challenges, and poorly edited. Even if it is well directed, the story just doesn’t get me like it should.
Is it the scariest horror movie of all time? I’ve stated my opinion, but I’ll let you decide. Give it a watch, if you dare…
~OCTOBER 2ND: DAY 2 OF “31 DAYS OF HORROR”~
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