Erm, compelling...

Rating: 10/10 (1 November 1999)

This is still the grandaddy of all horror films. Shocking, creepy, and chilling. But what often gets overlooked amid the head-turning and pea soup is what a great looking film it is. The lighting and set design are beautiful; the direction, superb. Friedkin also gets a great batch of performances from his actors. And while any movie can give an audience a good jolt (and believe me, there are plenty here), it's a rare film that can conjure an all-pervasive sense of dread. Breathtaking.