William Friedkinis best known for hishighly-acclaimed novelThe Exorcist.The Exorcistplaced Friedkin in the spotlight as a master of horror, creating a film that was both groundbreaking and controversial due to its themes and graphic nature. Nonetheless,Friedkin gave audiences a variety of quality filmsto enjoy, some of which are often overlooked. Here areWilliam Friedkin’s 10 mostunderrated films ranked.
10Blue Chips (1994)
In a case of art imitates life, this early ’90s comedy has Shaquille O’ Neal portraying Neon Boudeaux, the member of a trio of amateur yet skilled basketball players contracted by a college basketball coach (portrayed by Nick Nolte) to help his college basketball team improve their skills. Bribed through favors for their loved ones and a considerable amount of money, Neon and his team agree to help the coach, in turn resulting in a series of antics and mishaps for everyone involved. For someone fairly new to directing sports films,William Friedkin executedthis sports comedy to a tee.
9Jade (1995)
Leaning into a more sensual, erotic type of film, Friedkin’sJadescandalized both audiences and critics through its sexually charged narrative. Following the story of assistant district attorney, David Corelli, David gets entrenched in the mystery surrounding the death of a powerful executive. As David further investigates the crime, he realizes a former lover of his, Katrina/ Jade, was involved with the deceased man and is suspected of his murder. As David works to prove Jade’s innocence, their tumultuous past resurfaces, sexual tensions ensue, along with more bloodshed.
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8The Guardian (1990)
Another horror flick by Friedkin,The Guardiantakes inspiration fromfilms such asRosemary’s BabyandThe Omento deliver a chilling tale. After the birth of their first child, married couple Kate and Phil hire a young nanny named Camilla to help them raise their newborn. While all initially seems perfect, the couple soon discovers that Camilla hides a sinister plan involving the occult and their newborn. A twisted tale through and though,The Guardianis a worthy addition to Friedkin’s list of horror films.
Related:The Exorcist: Believer: Why All Eyes Will Be On the Horror Movie After William Friedkin’s Passing
7Sorcerer (1977)
Considered by many a remake of the 1953 filmThe Wages of Fear,Sorcererfollows the story of a group of characters as their paths intertwine throughout the film. Similarly to films such asBabelandCrash,Sorcereris told through a series of vignettes that explore how one character’s actions perpetuates a chain of events that affects them as a whole. While initially berated by critics,Sorcereris now considered an underrated masterpiece by Friedkin.
6The Hunted (2003)
This early 2000 film stars Tommy Lee Jones as L.T Bonham, a tracker following an assassin with the help of FBI agent Abby Durrell. As the tracker and agent look past their differences to stop the assassin, they realize they’re going to need all the help they can get as the assassin makes his way into the city. Suspenseful, tense, and clever,The Huntedis a testament of Friedkin’s ability to tackle any film genre with ease.
5The Brink’s Job (1978)
This crime-drama paved the way for modern films such asOcean’s ElevenandCherry. When a heist gets complicated, a group of petty thieves must find a way to evade the law, meanwhile trying to claim the money they agreed to divide among each other when one of their colleagues decides to betray them and keep the cash for himself. Funny, thrilling, and borderline contrived,The Brink’s Jobis a film worth revising for a good laugh coupled with some solid performances by Peter Falk, Gena Rowlands, and Peter Boyle.
4The Birthday Party (1968)
One of Friedkin’s earlier films, this film noir follows the story of Stanley, a man staying at a seaside boarding house. When two strangers, Goldberg and McCann, approach the house and invite themselves into Stanley’s retreat, Stanley soon becomes the pawn in a psychological game of cat and mouse. A dark, twisted, and ominous tale,The Birthday Partysticks with audiences long after its final scene.
3Killer Joe (2011)
Friedkin’s penultimate film,Killer Joe,has Matthew McConaughey portraying a morally gray protagonist, Joe Cooper. An undercover cop posing as a hit man, Joe is hired by a man to kill his mother, with an added bargain—the man has to let Joe sleep with his sister. Dark, odd, and bordering on comedic,Killer Joe islike nothing Friedkin’s ever tackled prior, but nonetheless a pleasant movie-going experience.
2The People Versus Paul Crump
Friedkin’s first documentary,The People Versus Paul Crumpfollows the trial of Paul Crump, a man on death row in the early 1960s for robbery and murder. Critically acclaimed for its subject, this documentary paved the way for Friedkin as a director, with Friedkin going on to direct an episode ofThe Alfred Hitchcock Hourand eventually being given his breakthrough directing role forThe Exorcist.
1The Boys in the Band
Adapted from the 1968 stage play,The Boys in the Bandtackled the homophobia and sexual identity struggles of the 1970s. Following thestory of Michael, a struggling writer hosting a birthday party for his close friend, Harold,The Boys in the Bandtakes the intimate setting of a New York Upper East Side apartment to deliver an emotionally-charged narrative.
As new and old friends gather, past resentment and tensions unfold, along with secrets both Michael and his college friend, Alan, have been harboring for years. Disheartening, thought-provoking, and ahead of its time,The Boys in the Bandsparked a considerable amount of controversy during its time of release.
