Carl Roberts 
Russell Crowe leads the cast in the supernatural horror movie, The Exorcism. But is the film a super horror flick or should it be exorcised?
The Exorcism is another in a long line of horror movies that remind us of a certain and famous (infamous?) horror movie from 1973. When I say remind us of, I actually mean rip off. The same set-up, the same type of scares, and almost the same plotline. This one, however, features Russell Crowe in the lead. It sometimes helps if you’ve got an Oscar-winning actor in the lead role. And sometimes it doesn’t. Directed by Joshua John Miller, from a script he co-wrote with M. A. Fortin, the movie also features Sam Worthington, Chloe Bailey, Adam Goldberg, Adrian Pasdar, and David Hyde Pierce. The question is, is the film a great and frightening horror movie, or should it be exorcised from movie theaters as quickly as possible?
PREMISE
Anthony Miller (Crowe), a troubled actor, begins to unravel while shooting a supernatural horror film. His estranged daughter (Simpkins) wonders if he is slipping back into his past addictions or if there is something more sinister at play.
THOUGHTS
While the film doesn’t really deserve to be exorcised, it leaves a lot to be desired. It does contain a few frights and scares along the way but it is something we’ve seen many times before. Considering the name of the movie they are shooting during the film is titled The Georgetown Project, and where the original The Exorcist was set, you get the picture. The film has almost lifted its premise from the classic 1973 horror and twisted it to suit its own purposes. And almost from the start, we feel we are watching a semi-remake. One that is so far removed from the classic movie that it is almost like watching an inferior ‘B’ flick instead of a film featuring an Oscar winner. Mind you, it’s nowhere near as bad as last year’s The Exorcist: Believer. However, that isn’t saying much.
RUSSELL CROWE
Russell Crowe as Anthony Miller is one of the highlights of the film. Seeing the actor portray someone who has spiralled into addiction after the death of his wife, and the estrangement from his daughter shows the world again why he is so well regarded. From the moment we see him, listening to him trying to talk to his daughter after a school infraction is heartbreaking. This is a deeply troubled man, one who is trying his best to get himself back on an even keel, to become the father he should be. One that doubts himself and his craft. Miller is someone we can’t help but feel our hearts going out to. We want to see him regain his daughter’s love and trust.
Seeing Miller’s slow descent downward during the film’s production brings quite a few scares to the audience. From the troubled man we encountered earlier to an evil, twisted version of himself is frightening at times. Crowe throws himself into his role here, embracing the darkness that has enveloped Miller. There are some scenes where the audience will genuinely feel fear of him. By the climax, we think we know how it will end for him. But are we right or mistaken? That’s for the audience to find out. Crowe is a superb actor and he gives his role and performance everything he’s got here. It’s just a shame he has to work with a script that doesn’t do him justice.
RYAN SIMPKINS
Ryan Simpkins as Lee Miller, Anthony’s estranged daughter also gives a terrific performance, one that the film hinges on for the majority of its running time. They portray their character superbly. At times, we are frustrated with Lee, getting annoyed with them as they resist all attempts by their father to forge a relationship, to repair the hurt and damage he has caused them. However, during the course of the film, they will go on a journey through their emotions, from starting a relationship with Blake Holloway (Chloe Bailey, also superb), through their terror and heartbreak at their father’s plight, to courage and resistance by the climax. Ryan Simpkins is in reality, the heart of the film. And they pull off their role superbly.
SUPPORTING CAST
The supporting cast all play their parts during proceedings. However, at times, we find ourselves wondering why they are even in the film, with Sam Worthington as Joe completely underused. The actor has third billing here but has around twenty minutes, if that, of screen time during the movie. His talents are wasted here in a supporting performance that is beneath him. At times, he is simply just standing or sitting around, that’s how little he has to do. Worthington deserves better.
As does Samantha Mathis as Jennifer Simon. She appears briefly then is absent for most of the film afterwards. It can be argued that this is Russell Crowe/ Ryan Simpkins’ show. But that doesn’t excuse the fact that both she and Worthington are so underused here that it’s amazing to think both are supposed to be vital parts of the film. If they are, then the writers have failed miserably.
ADAM GOLDBERG
Adam Goldberg portrays the director of The Georgetown Project movie being made. From the very start, we just want to stand up, walk up to him, and punch him until we knock him on his backside. His character of Peter is one that makes us mad at times. Peter is the typical director, demeaning his star, verbally abusing him, and even bringing up his past indiscretions blatantly. One could argue that directors do this to their stars to motivate them, and to get the reaction they want from them in certain scenes. Thank god we are not part of this world or some of us would end up in jail. Goldberg is nasty, slimy and completely unlikeable in a terrific performance. Instead of the demon that inhabits the film, we can believe that Peter himself is the villain of the movie, just by being himself.
DAVID HYDE PIERCE
David Hyde Pierce as Father Conor plays the Max Von Sydow role as the priest who must step in at the last minute in an attempt to force the demon out. To be honest, he does a wonderful job. He is likeable, earnest and totally believable in his role. But he, like the rest of the cast, is shackled by what he has to work with. Everyone is let down by a script that takes the horror tropes we know and love (if that’s the right word) and uses them time and again. The characterisation on offer here is severely lacking. But the actor does what he can with a token role. The scenes when he and Crowe are onscreen together are wonderful. But they are very few and far between until we reach the climax.
Again, when we reach the finale, we can see what is liable to happen. We can guess at the outcome. And that is a letdown for everyone concerned. We feel genuine concern for Father Conor, hoping that he goes into battle against the demon and to emerge on the other side unscathed. David Hyde Pierce injects some warmth into his role, showing once more that he is more than Niles from Frasier. He is a genuine actor who is dedicated to his craft. Given a better script and more meat for his character, the actor would steal the show. Sadly, he is limited to here and there appearances until the climax. And his character is just the token priest that we have seen many times before in other movies.
VERDICT
While not being a bad film, The Exorcism leaves a lot to be desired. What we see here, we have seen over and over in films either better or worse. Taking the principal storyline of The Exorcist and retconning it for its own purpose shows how little imagination has gone into the project. Throw in a half-baked plotline of Anthony having a backstory related to abuse at the hands of the church when he was a youngster and not following it through is just plain lazy. Interesting plot threads that could have made the film stand out are offered and then abandoned.
As for the ending, your guess is as good as mine about what happens at the end credits. If you know the answer, please let me know as it isn’t made clear about the fate of certain characters. Deep inside the film is a better one crying to be let out. If the plot threads had been allowed to play out and to be confronted and tied up, then the film could have been a worthy horror movie that we could all sit and enjoy. I’m not saying it should have all been tied up neatly by the end but it may have helped.
Instead of a great and chilling horror movie, we get one that is half-baked and then allowed to go cold, almost literally. Cast performances aside, there is little here to recommend the film. We have seen it all before. Unoriginal, uneven, and over-reliant on jump scares, the film doesn’t fully deserve to be exorcised. But it comes pretty close.
The Exorcism is in cinemas on Friday, June 21st.
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.
