“The Exorcist: Believer” (2023) is a horror film directed by David Gordon Green, serving as a direct sequel to the original The Exorcist (1973). As a revival of the iconic horror franchise, it aims to bring a modern take on demonic possession and spiritual conflict while paying homage to the legacy of the original. The film stars Leslie Odom Jr., Ann Dowd, Jennifer Nettles, Norbert Leo Butz, and Ellen Burstyn, who reprises her role as Chris MacNeil, making her return to the series after fifty years. The Exorcist: Believer explores themes of faith, family, and the terrifying mystery of possession.

Plot Summary

The story follows Victor Fielding (Leslie Odom Jr.), a single father raising his daughter Angela after losing his wife in a tragic accident. Angela (Lidya Jewett) and her friend Katherine (Olivia Marcum) go missing one day, and when they’re found three days later, both girls exhibit strange, violent behavior. It becomes clear to Victor that something otherworldly has taken hold of them. Seeking answers and help beyond traditional medicine, Victor learns of Chris MacNeil (Ellen Burstyn), who has past experience with demonic possession, having gone through a similar ordeal with her daughter, Regan, decades earlier.

As Victor reaches out to Chris, the possession of Angela and Katherine intensifies, causing chaos and horror within their families and communities. Chris, who has lived with the trauma of her own past encounter with possession, reluctantly agrees to help. With the stakes rising, the families, joined by priests and a local exorcist, confront the demonic force. The film explores the depths of faith as each character grapples with doubt and fear while trying to save the girls.

Key Themes and Elements

1. Faith and Doubt: The film revisits themes of faith in the face of evil, showing the characters’ internal struggles with belief as they face a supernatural force they cannot comprehend.
2. Parental Love and Sacrifice: Victor’s determination to save his daughter, despite not fully understanding the spiritual warfare he’s facing, demonstrates the lengths to which a parent will go for their child.
3. Trauma and Legacy: Chris MacNeil’s return brings a sense of continuity to the story, as she confronts the trauma from her daughter’s possession and its lifelong impact on her faith and beliefs.
4. Good vs. Evil: The core conflict revolves around the battle between holy forces and demonic possession, delving into the nature of evil and its impact on innocent lives.

Reception and Legacy

The Exorcist: Believer received mixed-to-positive reactions from audiences and critics. The film was praised for its respectful nods to the original and for Ellen Burstyn’s return, adding emotional depth. However, some critics felt it struggled to reach the psychological intensity and sheer terror of the original Exorcist. Nonetheless, the film’s effort to build on the franchise’s themes of faith and evil resonated with fans who appreciated its attempt to modernize the storyline while honoring the series’ roots.

Cast and Crew

• Director: David Gordon Green
• Writers: Peter Sattler, David Gordon Green
• Cast:
  • Leslie Odom Jr. as Victor Fielding
  • Ann Dowd as a local exorcist
  • Jennifer Nettles as the mother of Katherine
  • Olivia Marcum as Katherine
  • Lidya Jewett as Angela
  • Ellen Burstyn as Chris MacNeil

Fun Facts

• Ellen Burstyn’s return as Chris MacNeil marks her first appearance in the franchise since the original film in 1973, creating a powerful link to the classic.
• David Gordon Green and producer Jason Blum, known for revitalizing the Halloween franchise, aimed to bring a similar fresh perspective to The Exorcist while remaining true to the original’s tone.
• The movie is part of a planned trilogy, setting up a continuation of the story with new characters and legacy themes.

Legacy

The Exorcist: Believer reintroduces the franchise to a new generation, aiming to blend modern horror elements with the eerie, unsettling tone of the original. It has set the stage for further exploration of the Exorcist lore, building a contemporary horror narrative grounded in classic themes of faith, family, and the supernatural.