Not Just Some Horror Movie...

Rating: 10/10 (10 October 2018)

Having watched THE EXORCIST multiple times over many years, the right question seems to be, "What is at the heart of it?". Yes, it's an incredibly tense, astoundingly well-made horror film about the satanic possession of a young girl. Yes, it has jarring, even shocking moments of action and dialogue. It is also the quintessential 1970's drama, showing most, if not all of what made that decade unique and so sorely missed. The script, direction, and characters are all impeccable. So, what is this movie all about? Well, first off, it is a story of loss. A mother loses her daughter and -almost- her mind. A daughter loses her childhood innocence. A priest loses his mother and his faith. Thankfully, this film is also a tale of great gain, since, in the end, a man makes the ultimate sacrifice, restoring the life of a helpless stranger. What makes THE EXORCIST so powerful has less to do w/ it's visceral, sometimes bestial horror, and more to do w/ its humanity in the face of such an abomination. Both Father Merrin (Max Von Sydow) and Father Karras (Jason Miller) are committed to defeating the evil before them. However, it is the younger, more cynical, less spiritually seasoned Karras who must look directly into the abyss. He must make the willing choice to save a soul by forfeiting his own. In so doing, the most terrifying movie ever made, ends w/ the greatest act of love and compassion a mortal can commit... Ironic? Well, that was the 1970's!...