Carl Roberts 
The sixth movie in the series, is The Exorcist: Believer A Frightening Return to Form or should the franchise be exorcised for good?
The Exorcist: Believer is the sixth film in the long-running horror franchise which started back in 1973. The original film is one of the best-loved and respected horror movies of all time, despite the backlash that accompanied it over the years. The third film in the franchise, despite not being anywhere near as good as the original, was a good attempt to get the franchise back on track. The second film was a complete insult, even with the appearance of Richard Burton in the film alongside original star Linda Blair. Whereas the other two films, Exorcist: The Beginning and Dominion: Prequel to the Exorcist are essentially the same film, just retooled. But that is another story.
Now, Blumhouse, Morgan Creek, and Universal Pictures are bringing the franchise back. The plan is to release a new trilogy of movies in the franchise. The first movie in this new franchise is about to hit cinemas around the world. The ace in the hole for the film is the return of the original star Ellen Burstyn as Chris MacNeil. But is the film a classic entry into the franchise? Or should the franchise be exorcised once and for all?
THE PREMISE
The parents of demonically possessed girls, desperate for help, search for the only person alive who has had similar experiences: Chris MacNeil.
THE EXORCIST: BELIEVER | THE NEW TRAILER BRINGS THE SCARES AGAIN!
THOUGHTS
If you’re looking for a sequel that will be on par with the original film, look elsewhere. If you’re looking for a sequel that tops The Exorcist III, you’re out of luck. The Exorcist: Believer does manage to top Exorcist II: The Heretic, though that isn’t that hard. But ultimately, it is yet another lacklustre, poor sequel. It does have a few redeeming qualities but they are very few and far between. A few nice touches and throwbacks to the first film are welcome additions, but all they manage to do is make us wish for the original film. Okay, so the original movie is a bona fide classic that would be hard to beat. But that doesn’t allow filmmakers to make any old junk and slap The Exorcist’s name on it. It needs substance. There isn’t much on offer here.
There are very few scares to be had here. I jumped twice, once at the appearance of a snake (I hate them), and a scene where I knew what was coming but allowed my attention to wander. Apart from that, I sat still in my seat. Add to that a very sluggish pace. Whereas the original film took things slow to build up the tension before we witnessed the possession, here it’s just slow, with only a few scenes that genuinely hold our interest. It is all building up to the exorcism in the third act. Here, the film does spark into life finally. It also includes some scenes that will make the audience wince. Sadly, the third act can’t make up for the first two.
THE CAST
The cast tries to work their magic with what they have been given. But even they can’t save the film from being doomed to being another poor sequel. However, at least the characters are interesting to watch. Leslie Odom Jr. as Victor manages to give the film a decent heartbeat. Victor is a widower raising his 13-year-old daughter, Angela (Lidya Jewett, a star in the making) after the death of his wife in the film’s opening sequence. Odom Jr. is extremely watchable in his role, giving a heartfelt performance as a father at his wit’s end. Jennifer Nettles as Miranda and Norbert Leo Butz as Tony, the parents of Katherine (Olivia Marcum, also wonderful) are also good in their roles. However, from the midway point, we find ourselves turning cold towards the couple. The way they act is enough to have viewers clenching their fists in anger at the pair.
Okwui Okpokwasili as Dr. Beehibe, Danny McCarthy as Stuart, a neighbor and friend of Victor, and Raphael Sbarge as Paster Don Revans are also pretty good in their roles. The three of them play a major part during the final exorcism and come across really well. The threesome could be considered minor characters up until this point but each has their own unique part to play. Okwui Okpokwasili especially. We are not sure of her or her motives when we first meet her. But by the climax, she is possibly the most vital character of all the cast.
ELLEN BURSTYN
Ellen Burstyn returns as Chris MacNeill. My question is…why? Why bring back the Oscar-winning actress to the role she first played 50 years ago to virtually sideline her? Because that is what happens here. Yes, it is nice to see her back as Chris after all this time. Yes, some of her scenes, such as the ones in her home, surrounded by pictures of Regan (Linda Blair in the original movie) are welcome. We do find out what happened to the pair after the events of the first film, which is welcome. But to have the actress in the movie for all of around ten minutes is a waste of her talent and our time. My guess would be the filmmakers decided to bring her back to link the first film and this new one together. Instead of being a highlight, it is an annoyance.
THE SCRIPT
The script by Peter Sattler and David Gordon Green from a story by Scott Teems, Danny McBride and Green tries hard. But what may have worked once, doesn’t always work here. Don’t get me wrong, it tries to be the sequel the original deserves. But by trying to match what worked before, the screenplay falls into the trap so many other films have done previously. It takes what scared everyone and goes in the same direction. The problem is, we’ve seen it all before, and are now wise to what is being attempted. And that leads us down a path of familiarity that the film can’t escape from.
THE DIRECTION
David Gordon Green’s direction is actually pretty solid. After his recent Halloween trilogy, Green knows how to handle horror movies pretty well. Green also wisely decides to use a trick from the original. He installs a few frames of film that flicker quickly, burning a quick horrific image into our brains. It remains a very neat trick to this day and one that I was delighted to see replicated here. Green knows how to handle his actors, his locations, his shots, and the movement of his films. It is just a shame that he tries to bring us back into the world created 50 years ago with something that tries to be something it’s not.
CONCLUSION
Sadly, despite trying hard and attempting to scare us once more with this continuation, The Exorcist: Believer won’t make a believer out of the audience. By trying to be the ‘true’ sequel to the original film, it falls into the trap of the curse of diminishing returns. While it isn’t nearly as bad as Exorcist II or the two prequel movies, it doesn’t bring the franchise back to its former glory. And that is a shame as there is so much that could have, and should have worked. But by having a pace that is as slow as it is, it comes across as sluggish and at times, uninteresting.
Despite some great throwbacks to the original film, including some dialogue (and one foul-mouthed slur, you’ll know it when you hear it), the film can’t manage to convince us to give the proposed sequels much of a chance. (The film is the first in a new Exorcist trilogy.) Fans will be happy to get a blast of Mike Oldfield’s Tubular Bells in a more modern way as well as the classic version over the end credits. And there are a few surprises along the way. But it isn’t enough to save the film from being an average, run-of-the-mill horror sequel. I’m sad to have to say it, but maybe it’s time the franchise was exorcised for good.
The Exorcist: Believer opens in cinemas on Friday, October 6th from Universal Pictures.
Introducing Carl! As the News Editor at Future of the Force, Carl has been an invaluable member of our team since early 2016. His expertise and dedication have made him an integral part of our editorial staff. Beyond his professional role, Carl is a fervent supporter of Liverpool F.C. and an avid follower of pop culture. He has a deep passion for Halloween, Friday the 13th, and the iconic movie franchises Star Wars and Star Trek.
He can be found either at his neighborhood cinema, enjoying the latest releases on the big screen, or at home streaming the newest blockbuster movies.
