The Exorcist | Rotten Tomatoes (2024)

78% Tomatometer 177 Reviews 87% Popcornmeter 250,000+ Ratings

One of the most profitable horror movies ever made, this tale of an exorcism is based loosely on actual events. When young Regan (Linda Blair) starts acting odd -- levitating, speaking in tongues -- her worried mother (Ellen Burstyn) seeks medical help, only to hit a dead end. A local priest (Jason Miller), however, thinks the girl may be seized by the devil. The priest makes a request to perform an exorcism, and the church sends in an expert (Max von Sydow) to help with the difficult job.

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The Exorcist

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Critics Consensus

The Exorcist rides its supernatural theme to magical effect, with remarkable special effects and an eerie atmosphere, resulting in one of the scariest films of all time.

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Critics Reviews

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The Exorcist | Rotten Tomatoes (1) Adam Nayman The Ringer Perhaps the most influential American horror movie ever made, The Exorcist was a Rorschach test when it came out. Fifty years later, it still sticks with us. Oct 6, 2023 Full Review The Exorcist | Rotten Tomatoes (2) Richard Roeper Chicago Sun-Times The scariest movie ever made... Sep 30, 2023 Full Review The Exorcist | Rotten Tomatoes (3) Terry Lawson Detroit Free Press Friedkin performed a similar alchemy to that of Francis Ford Coppola [with The Godfather]: He took a good, pulpy novel and turned it into a great, enduring movie. Rated: 4/4 Sep 29, 2023 Full Review The Exorcist | Rotten Tomatoes (4) Alan Jones Radio Times The macabre, obscene demonstrations of manifest evil still retain their power to startle and nauseate, particularly Linda Blair's "head-turning" antics as the possessed child. Rated: 5/5 Jul 9, 2024 Full Review The Exorcist | Rotten Tomatoes (5) James Baldwin The Devil Finds Work The mindless and hysterical banality of the evil presented in The Exorcist is the most terrifying thing about the film. The Americans should cer­tainly know more about evil than that; if they pre­tend otherwise, they are lying. May 1, 2024 Full Review The Exorcist | Rotten Tomatoes (6) Dennis Harvey 48 Hills The Exorcist more conspicuously pushed into the mainstream a hitherto disreputable genre. Jan 2, 2024 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Spencer Nielsen “There are no experts.” Rated 4/5 Stars • Rated 4 out of 5 stars 09/22/24 Full Review Dione R Theatre didn't have the correct movie downloaded, never got to actually see the movie!! Rated 0.5/5 Stars • Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars 10/23/23 Full Review Devin V Really bad movie. Painfully boring. Aged like milk. Rated 0.5/5 Stars • Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars 10/19/24 Full Review Charlie S The Exorcist surprised me with its slow-burn approach, building up tension through long, character-driven scenes. I found the mother's struggle particularly moving, as she dealt with doctors and experts unable to help her daughter, a real-life reflection of parents facing similar frustrations. While its "scariness" and shock value feel a bit dated today, I can see why it was so groundbreaking and terrifying when it first came out. Rated 4.5/5 Stars • Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 10/19/24 Full Review Landon W The Exorcist (1973) is the scariest movie that I have ever seen in my entire life. Rated 5/5 Stars • Rated 5 out of 5 stars 10/18/24 Full Review Rami A The true genius of "The Exorcist" lies not just in the frightening demon that possesses Regan, but in the film's buildup and the suspense of what might happen next. The horror doesn't stem only from the demonic voice and appearance but also from the vulnerability of Regan, who is only 12 years old. Even 51 years later, the film and the trauma Regan endures are still scary! Rated 5/5 Stars • Rated 5 out of 5 stars 10/17/24 Full Review Read all reviews

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Cast & Crew

William Friedkin Director Ellen Burstyn Chris MacNeil Linda Blair Regan Teresa MacNeil Max von Sydow Father Lankester Merrin Lee J. Cobb Lieutenant William Kinderman Kitty Winn Sharon Spencer
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The Exorcist

Linda Blair. Linda Blair and Ellen Burstyn. Jason Miller and Max Von Sydow. Max Von Sydow and Linda Blair. View more photos

Synopsis One of the most profitable horror movies ever made, this tale of an exorcism is based loosely on actual events. When young Regan (Linda Blair) starts acting odd -- levitating, speaking in tongues -- her worried mother (Ellen Burstyn) seeks medical help, only to hit a dead end. A local priest (Jason Miller), however, thinks the girl may be seized by the devil. The priest makes a request to perform an exorcism, and the church sends in an expert (Max von Sydow) to help with the difficult job.

Director
William Friedkin

Producer
William Peter Blatty

Screenwriter
William Peter Blatty

Distributor
Warner Bros. Pictures

Production Co
Warner Brothers, Hoya Productions

Rating
R

Genre
Horror

Original Language
English

Release Date (Theaters)
Dec 26, 1973, Original

Release Date (Streaming)
Jul 24, 2014

Box Office (Gross USA)
$441.4M

Runtime
2h 2m

Sound Mix
Surround

Aspect Ratio
Flat (1.85:1)
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The Exorcist | Rotten Tomatoes (2024)

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