It’s impossible to deny the impact of William Friedkin’s 1973 horror masterpiece,The Exorcist. The possession flick, starring Ellen Burstyn as Chris MacNeil, a mother trying to save her possessed daughter Regan (Linda Blair), redefined horror. The film was a critical and commercial success and launched a franchise that included the follow-upExorcist II: The Heretic, which failed to meet its predecessor’s success, andThe Exorcist III. The latter, an underrated horror classic, is now available to stream for free on Tubi.
Before Friedkin’sThe Exorcist, horror was not held, artistically speaking, in the highest regard.The Exorcistchanged that perception. The feature amassed critical acclaim, earning 10 Academy Award nominations in 1974, including nods for Best Picture, Best Director for Friedkin, and Best Actress for Burstyn. Its Best Picture nomination also made history; it became the first horror to be nominated for Best Picture. Besides earning critical success, the supernatural feature was a triumph at the box office and held the record for the highest-grossing horror picture for decades.
Mike Flanagan Says His Exorcist Sequel Is the ‘Scariest Movie’ He’s Ever Made
Judging by Mike Flanagan’s work, his Exorcist sequel is about to be a heart-pounder.
Unfortunately, the direct sequel to Friedkin’sThe Exorcistmissed the mark. Directed by John Boorman,Exorcist II: The Hereticwas released in 1977. Where Friedkin’s original soared, the follow-up sunk. Critics and audiences found fault with the movie’s confusing narrative, and, maybe most significantly,Exorcist II: The Hereticjust didn’t deliver scares. Its misses were only amplified by its predecessor’s success.
‘The Exorcist III’ Is a Worthy Sequel
In 1990,The Exorcist IIIlanded in theaters. This installment, directed and written by William Peter Blatty, the author of the original novel and screenplay, is widely considered the franchise’s second-best offering and a much better sequel.TheExorcist IIIwisely echoed the supernatural tone and themes of Friedkin’s effort. Starring George C. Scott as Lieutenant Kinderman, Brad Dourif in a chilling performance as the Gemini Killer, and Jason Miller as the ailing Father Dyer, the film was praised for its slow-burn tension, eerie atmosphere, and suspense. It delivered genuine scares, including the now-iconic hospital hallway scene. There are even arguments thatthe third installment is scarier than the original movie.
The Exorcist IIIpicks up 15 years after the horrific events at the MacNeil home. Lieutenant Kinderman is investigating a series of murders in Georgetown that share an eerie resemblance to the crimes of the “Gemini Killer,” who was allegedly executed years before. As the investigation progresses, Kinderman’s friend, Father Dyer, gets sick, and Kinderman encounters a mysterious patient in the hospital. The patient claims to be the Gemini Killer and reveals connections to Regan MacNeil.
WhereThe Exorcist IIImostly disappoints critics and audiences is with its conclusion and its heavy dialogue. It should be noted that the conclusion of the theatrical cut was changed by the studio against Blatty’s wishes.
FollowingThe Exorcist III,the franchise delivered two prequels that explored the backstory of Father Lankester Merrin:Exorcist: The Beginning(2004), directed by Renny Harlin, andDominion: Prequel to the Exorcist(2005), directed by Paul Schrader. Neither of the films impressed audiences. In 2023, Blumhouse revisited the franchise withThe Exorcist: Believer(2023), a direct sequel to the original that wasintended as the first in a new trilogy, but again failed to connect with audiences, leading to the next film being completely reworked by Mike Flanagan.
The Exorcist III’s theatrical cut is available to stream on Tubi.
