The Exorcist is one of the most classic films in the horror genre, and it has faced quite a bit of controversy. Since the film is about religion and a 12-year-old girl’s exorcism, it’s easy to assume that the Catholic Church wasn’t too happy with The Exorcist. Although the film’s marketing and response to critics are more nuanced, much attention was given to The Exorcist, released in 1973 and directed by William Friedkin.
The Exorcist Controversy
The film revolves around a young girl named Regan (Linda Blair) and her mom, Chris (Ellen Burstyn). Two mysterious entities possess the girl, and Chris seeks help from two priests to help her daughter. The plot no doubt put the audience on a scary ride. Along with the plot, the music and the performances shook the audience. However, The Exorcist had its share of displeasure from many in the audience. The movie was a horror film ahead of its time.
The film received criticism due to its disturbing visual images. Following the criticism, the film was banned in some parts of the U.K. It was reported that the movie provoked vomiting, fainting, and heart attacks in the cinema. Freidkin went to great lengths to do his research for the movie. He even communicated with doctors at New York City hospitals and stayed up to date about the neuroimaging used in the film.
The scientific paper “Somewhere between Science and Superstition’: Religious Outrage, Horrific Science, and The Exorcist (1973) was published in Vol. 34 Issue of History of Human Sciences in 2021. The paper explained what the Catholic church thought about the movie. According to the paper, some responses from the church were negative, stemming from their displeasure with the story. However, the paper explained that the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Office of Film and Broadcasting said that The Exorcist was “Unsuitable for a wide audience.” Still, generally, it was a “Positive response to the power of faith.”
The Exorcist Reaction
The movie was already taboo to begin with, including a sexual sequence involving a girl with her cross. Along with the film being banned in some parts of the U.K., the trailer was pulled from screening in American cinemas. That move added to the shock value, leading to the film being a box office hit. In 1998, the Britain Board of Film Classification (BBFC) lifted the ban, but the trailer stayed banned in the United States. The BBFC even permitted an uncut version of the film with an 18 rating. Since then, there has been a reboot, with an upcoming film in 2026. Last year, The Exorcist: Believer was released that October and received a 22% from Rotten Tomatoes.
Conclusion
The Exorcist was a horror film ahead of its time. It took the controversy to the chin and still achieved box-office success. The movie became timeless for many reasons, including the visuals and realism involving the doctors looking into Regan’s decision. Given that religion is the main subject of the film, it’s hard not to think about how the Catholic Church felt about it. The Exorcist is available for streaming.
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