More than 50 years after its release, this great classic of horror cinema is still considered one of the most terrifying of all time. Ideal for scaring yourself on Halloween.
In the fall, there are two camps: those who prefer to sit down in front of comforting programs to endure the drop in temperatures and the returning grayness, or those who choose to scare themselves in anticipation of the arrival of Halloween. If you are part of this second category, look no further: there is a huge horror cinema classic to (re)discover to scare yourself in this gloomy season.
Because more than fifty years after its release, in 1973, this feature film still appears in the top rankings of the most terrifying films of all time. It is in first position at Collider, IMDB or TimeOut, second at Variety, it is the 3rd best thriller of all time for the American Institute… Just that! It must be said that despite mixed reviews upon its release, it became one of the most profitable horror films in history, with more than 2.1 billion in revenue worldwide.
Directed by William Friedkin, The Exorcist is the adaptation of the novel of the same name by William Peter Blatty. It describes the story of a little girl possessed by a demon, and two churchmen who try to exorcise her. Even more terrifying, it is inspired by a real case of exorcism that occurred in the late 1940s… On paper, the scenario seems very simple, but The Exorcist is actually a pioneer of the genre in cinema.
If filming was particularly chaotic for actors Ellen Burstyn, Max von Sydow, Jason Miller and Linda Blair, it was a success at the box office. Friedkin’s film became the first to be nominated for an Academy Award for Best Picture, and received two awards at the 1974 awards ceremony (best sound mixing and best adapted screenplay), as well as four Golden Globes. the same year. However, the visual effects, very graphic and surprising, had questioned critics at the time of its release.
You will have understood it, The Exorcist is a cult film that you absolutely must see in your life, preferably on Halloween. If it is not available on a streaming platform, it is however possible to watch it for purchase or rental on VOD sites from 2.99 euros.