The Exorcist : Believer

In the ever-expanding landscape of Hollywood remakes and reboots, giving new life to a classic film is a daunting undertaking. Filmmakers who dare to reimagine beloved classics often find themselves walking a tightrope, hesitating between paying homage to the original and blazing their own trail. David Gordon Green, best known for revitalizing the Halloween franchise with a trilogy, is once again playing the role of cinematic renovator with his latest project, The Exorcist: Believer. Like its predecessor, this attempt is sure to be met with both applause and criticism, as it strives to resurrect the iconic Exorcist franchise.

David Gordon Green's approach to The Exorcist: Believer is both ambitious and risky, as he chooses to ignore the sequels that followed William Friedkin's 1973 classic and return to the source material. The film introduces us to Victor Fielding, played by the talented Leslie Odom Jr., a gifted photographer who becomes a single father to his daughter Angela, played by Lidya Jewett, after his wife dies in a devastating earthquake. This narrative choice sets the stage for an emotionally charged story, exploring themes of grief, loss and the supernatural.

The film begins on a strong note, carefully crafting the bond between Victor and Angela. Green takes time to develop their relationship and Angela's desire to connect with her deceased mother, who tragically perished during childbirth in the earthquake. As the story unfolds, the audience is drawn into the world of the Fielding family and feels the emotional turmoil that haunts them.

Things take a frightening turn when Angela and her friend Katherine (Olivia O'Neill) disappear into the woods for three days and return showing signs of demonic possession. This is where Green's storytelling prowess shines, effectively building tension and dread. Odom's performance as a father grappling with unimaginable horrors is simply mesmerizing, and his chemistry with Lidya Jewett adds depth to their father-daughter relationship, making it emotionally engaging.

The film's cast is well chosen, with standout performances from Jennifer Nettles and Norbert Leo Butz as Katherine's Baptist parents, Raphael Sbarge as the leader of their church, Ann Dowd as a nurse and Okwui Okpokwasili as an African spiritualist. Green brings together this diverse group of characters to work together, underscoring the message that defeating evil requires unity, regardless of religious or cultural background.

Where The Exorcist: Believer fails without recall is in the execution of the exorcism scenes. The film fails to deliver the genuine suspense and horror that its predecessor and other iconic horror films managed to create. Instead of creating terrifying sequences, it relies on familiar tropes and uninspired dialogue from the possessed. These moments, supposed to be the highlights of the film, fall flat and sorely lack the terror expected by fans of the franchise.

One of the film's controversial points is its treatment of pro-choice and anti-abortion themes. Although the story doesn't explicitly support these points of view, it does feature characters who express them, which could be problematic for some viewers. This aspect of the story blurs the film's message of unity and cooperation.

The introduction of Ellen Burstyn's character, Chris MacNeil, who returns from the original film, adds a sense of nostalgia and excitement for long-time fans. However, her involvement in the plot feels somewhat forced and doesn't contribute significantly to the overall narrative.

The Exorcist: Believer embarks on a commendable journey to revive a horror classic, starting with solid character development and an intriguing premise. However, it stumbles along the way, particularly in its handling of exorcism scenes and thematic elements. Although Leslie Odom Jr.'s performance is brilliant and the film successfully explores the importance of unity, it fails to deliver a satisfying and genuinely terrifying exorcism experience. Despite its ambition, The Exorcist: Believer fails to recreate the magic of the first Exorcist film, leaving viewers more disappointed than delighted. Whether this is a fresh start for the franchise or a missed opportunity remains to be seen, but it's likely to remain a polarizing addition to the horror canon.

The Exorcist: Believer
Directed by David Gordon Green
Screenplay by Peter Sattler, David Gordon Green
Story by Scott Teems, Danny McBride, David Gordon Green
Based on Characters by William Peter Blatty
Produced by Jason Blum, David C. Robinson, James G. Robinson
Starring Leslie Odom Jr, Ann Dowd, Jennifer Nettles, Norbert Leo Butz, Lidya Jewett, Olivia Marcum, Ellen Burstyn
Cinematography : Michael Simmonds
Edited by Tim Alverson
Music by David Wingo, Amman Abbasi
Production companies : Blumhouse Productions, Morgan Creek Entertainment, Rough House Pictures
Distributed by Universal Pictures
Release date : October 6, 2023 (United States), October 11, 2023 (France)
Running time : 111 minutes

Seen on October 11, 2023 in New York at AMC Empire 25

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