A New Fresh Hell

 

"The Exorcist:...and I'm talking about the original...was one great piece of entertainment.   It's one of those movies I watch once a year and the scares still...well...scare me.  

A major hit, the movie spawned a whole bunch of satanic knock-offs as well as a plethora of awful sequels.   So, in its fiftieth year since the original opening, out comes a new version of "the Devil made me do it."   I chalked it up to Hollywood trying to make a fast buck but then I saw that Ellen Burstyn was reprising her original role as Chris McNeil from a half-century ago.

Hmmm.  I was intrigued.

And, while not perfect, "The Exorcist: Believer" turns out to be the best sequel of the original yet and that's largely due to the presence of Burstyn even in a relatively small role.  It largely takes the story from 1973 and extends it to the next logical chapter.

As the film opens, Leslie Odom Jr. is traveling in Haiti with his pregnant wife about 13 years ago.  A devastating earthquake topples a building on her and Odom is presented with a decision.   The doctors can save only one.   Either the wife or the fetus.

Flash forward and Dad is living with his daughter in Georgia.  It's a normal life until the day when she and a school mate wander into the woods and disappear for three days.   When they are found, they have no recollection of what happened.  

The Devil, you say.

So, in the 2023 edition of the Exorcist, you get not one but two possessions.  And it's not long before we are off to the races with head turning, vomit spewing, and blood curdling.  Both kids' parents are hard pressed to deal with this.  The other girl's folks turn to their holy roller minister for answer.  Odom's character seeks out Chris McNeil who has used the last fifty years writing definitive books on exorcisms.   

The last third of the film gets a bit goofy as, in lieu of seeking out priests, all concerned try some home remedies for getting the Devil out of the house.  But, still, it holds your interest and there are worse choices at the multiplex.   Plus audiences are treated at the end to a surprise appearance by...

Never mind.

The original's director William Friedkin just died and I wonder what he would think of this.   My hope is that he would have seen some merit even if it doesn't come close to the classic.

LEN'S RATING:  Three stars.

Dinner last night:  Grilled bratwurst.