A direct sequel to The Exorcist, released fifty years later
A direct sequel to The Exorcist, released fifty years later
*Spoiler Free*
David Gordon Green’s The Exorcist: Believer explores faith, the battle between good and evil, and hones in on the theme of one’s beliefs. This direct sequel, released fifty years later, has plenty of nods to the original while also bringing in creative new elements to evoke a sense of dread. As to be expected, it’s not on the same classic level as its predecessor, but that doesn’t take away its entertainment value, well-crafted story and compelling performances.
Two young girls, Angela and Katherine (Lidya Jewett, Olivia O’Neill), go missing in the woods after school one day only to reappear three days later with no recollection of what happened to them or where they’ve been. When the girls begin to display symptoms of demonic possession, one of their fathers, Victor Fielding (Leslie Odom Jr.), seeks out Chris MacNeil (Ellen Burstyn) to learn about her own experience with her daughter back in 1973. Now, MacNeil, along with a group of others affected by the latest tragedy, must work together and fight to rid the girls of their demons.
The original Exorcist is simply untouchable, but Believer is a worthy sequel that should rank third in the franchise following The Exorcist III. It’s important for fans of the genre to go in with realistic expectations and to make their own analysis of films instead of taking the reviews of critics as gold. David Gordon Green is receiving an unnecessary amount of personal hate for his recent work and it goes beyond healthy criticism.
Where Green succeeds with Believer is in summoning feelings of anxiety and unsettlement through the use of effective imagery, sound and character development. The film is inclusive of different forms of religion, not just Christianity, which makes for an interesting product. With a runtime falling just under the two-hour mark, the pacing appropriately builds suspense for most of the film; however, some of the scenes of the possession taking hold lack the slow-burning buildup that would add more emotion. While Believer is strong in the drama department, it could have increased the horror aspects. Gore is toned down from the original film and some risks that were taken for shock value don’t pay off. Still, there is an intensity throughout most of the film which leads up to a powerful and emotional climax.
The Exorcist: Believer honors the art direction of the original and doesn’t rely on the overuse of CGI. The film’s frightening atmosphere is magnified by the locations and set design. Green’s camera work, with alarming close-ups and angles, helps to conjure up a feeling of discomfort. Like the first installment, the actual demon is used minimally, only flashing on screen for a few frames with sound effects added for unnervingness. The makeup and costumes for the girls are striking and help bring the possession to life. Audiences will get a sense of nostalgia when the iconic original score is worked in.
One of the biggest issues with The Exorcist: Believer is the underutilization of Ellen Burstyn. When she is on screen, she’s strong and has a commanding presence. Her inclusion in the project is a selling point, especially to fans of the original, but she should have had more to do. Still, at the age of 91, it’s special that we get to see her back in the role of this significant character she created fifty years ago. Leslie Odom Jr. is captivating as Victor Fielding. His beliefs are explored in depth, and the struggles he faces as he fights to save his daughter feel authentic. Ann Dowd is a nice addition to the cast, and she shares some touching moments with Odom. Lidya Jewett and Olivia O’Neill are, of course, the standouts; both actresses giving chilling performances to show the syncing possession. The girls display excellent coordination to exhibit how the demon has control over their bodies and minds. Jewett, in particular, portrays a sinister presence that will make your skin crawl with her movements and facial expressions. A strong cast is essential to make a movie like this successful, and the actors all contribute to enhance the story.
While The Exorcist: Believer doesn’t fully capture the soul of the original, it adds to the lore and has some fun surprises up its sleeve. The possessed girls deliver memorable performances and the film naturally explores themes of belief and religion while establishing strong connections between the characters. With the culmination of storytelling, scares and intensity, it’s a solid enough effort to hold your attention right through to the stirring third act and conclusion. It will be interesting to see where the story goes in the next two installments.
