The Exorcist Believer serves as a direct sequel to The Exorcist (1973). David Gordon Green returns as director to yet another established IP in the same light as Halloween 2018. We meet new characters but also have a connection to the 1973 film in this new tale of possession. Check out the synopsis for the film below:

When his daughter, Angela, and her friend Katherine, show signs of demonic possession, it unleashes a chain of events that forces single father Victor Fielding to confront the nadir of evil. Terrified and desperate, he seeks out Chris MacNeil, the only person alive who’s witnessed anything like it before.

The film has big shoes to fill as the The Exorcist is regarded as a classic and the best horror film of all time. It’s safe to say that expectations are high. In my opinion, Believer not only is a great follow up to The Exorcist but also sets a standard for future possession films. The performances in the film are incredible from Leslie Odom Jr. and Ann Dowd. We get some pretty compelling scenes between the two with great build up. The two girls Lydia Jewett and Olivia O’Neill are also on their A-game. There are moments when the camera lingers during the possessions and it’s utterly terrifying. It’s pretty easy to come off as silly or dull during exorcism films but the two girls remain absolutely scary.

As a sequel to 1973 there were some connections to the original. In my opinion, these were the weaker moments of the film. The inclusion of Ellen Burstyn’s Chris was cool until it wasn’t, but I understand the choice to include them. The character serves as a connection to both films but also to reignite Leslie’s characters faith that his girl can be saved. The second act of this film is definitely the weakest with some minor pacing issues but once we get into the third act it brings it all back.

The exorcism scene is of course going to be the highlight of any exorcist film. In The Exorcist Believer this scene is done a little different as we also have a priest in the mix. The film also explores different practices of faith and religion throughout the world. When it comes to the final exorcism, we see various key players from different belief backgrounds. We have a Baptist pastor, a Pentecostal preacher, and a healer all joined by the Catholic father. The ideas presented here felt fresh and delivered an interesting idea of how we seek community through religion. All of this adds for a chaotic exorcism that really works in heightening the tension and scares.

David Gordon Green also tells a compelling story of moving forward in our lives by accepting our past. I found myself getting emotional in certain scenes as we see the characters wrestle not only literal demons but their own personal ones. Overall, we enjoyed The Exorcist Believer for doing its own thing while still keeping the 1973 version alive. It’s a film that will surely be polarizing for its bold swings; it’s not Friedkin and that’s a good thing here. David Gordon Green has developed an exorcism film that fits their artistic style. Its compelling, visually stunning, and absolutely terrifying!

WE GIVE THE EXORCIST BELIEVER 4/5.