[Nordicdusk]

Originally Posted by Nosferatu@Cult Labs

There are several different storylines in The Exorcist: Pazuzu’s battle with Father Merrin, the Demon targeting Father Karras because of his crisis of confidence, faith, and trying to reconcile his medical knowledge with something that defies biological explanation.

There is no “pact with the devil”: Regan was chosen because of her proximity to Damien Karras, her parents’ (pending) divorce, her transient lifestyle, and her susceptibility to possession.

It’s a film about humanity and how, ultimately, Damien Karras chooses to pay the ultimate price through self-sacrifice to save the soul of an innocent girl after Father Merrin has, effectively, died in battle against the Demon. Rather than being “idiotic numbnuts”, they are caring and compassionate people who are determined to save an innocent child’s life. With the exception of Dr. Klein, they are far kinder than the doctors who subject Regan to traumatic tests and more thoughtful and respectful than the pompous psychiatrist who hypnotises her.

I’ve never played shithead and hadn’t heard of it before today. All I know about Pazuzu is that he is the king of the wind demons, a character trait that is very present in the Iraq opening section and, later, when crockery and other objects are blowing around Regan’s bedroom.

I consider The Exorcist to be a masterfully made film, one with exceptional performances, and a very powerful and emotional experience that always stays with me long after the end credits have finished.

I love reading your breakdowns of The Exorcist I have always loved the film but over the years reading yours posts about it have made me appreciate it even more from reading the book and you telling me to watch the film with the commentary on gave me a totally different experience everytime I watch it. Your passion for the film is fantastic and infectious