The Exorcist: Believer
Coming 50 years after its predecessor The Exorcist: Believer reboots The Exorcist franchise & sees it once again spinning a terrifying tale of religion, possession, scepticism & ultimately love.
Acting as a direct sequel to 1973's The Exorcists this new entry into the franchise sees two families desperate for help when their two young daughters disappear into the woods. When the girls return three days later, with no memory of what happened to them, it soon becomes apparent that something isn't quite right with the girls.
Much like the original film The Exorcist: Believer explores faith, religion & possession. What sets this film apart from its forebear is the inclusion of a multitude of religions rather than simply traditional Catholicism. Throughout The Exorcist: Believer viewers witness traditional African belief systems, Protestant Christians & of course Catholics. Weaving all of these elements into the story adds a layer of depth & fear, given the common acknowledgment of the exorcism rites within the religions.
On a production level, this film holds true with the use of subliminal flashes of terrifying demonic faces & haunting figures in the backgrounds/shadows. Jump scares are smartly used very sparingly throughout the film, which helps build tension for the duration of the film. However, the film never quite reaches the traumatising heights of the original film.
The Exorcist: Believer does a wonderful job of paying homage to its progenitor. From dialogue reminiscent of the first film, references to original characters, new twists on violent/disgusting outbursts right down to the makeup on the possessed girls.
By bringing a timeless tale of exorcism into a modern era the film is able to explore the impact of scepticism & modern science on faith. Unfortunately, a reliance on modern filmmaking techniques & visual effects diminishes the guttural & spiritual impact of the film.
At first glance The Exorcist: Believer appears to be a story about faith versus scepticism. However, it is ultimately a story about the power of love which won't have viewers leaving the cinema terrified or reshaping their belief systems like its precursor.
Pario Magazine stands in solidarity & support of the WGA & SAG-AFTRA in their fight for better working conditions.
Our publication has always been focused on the creative brilliance of these individuals rather than on the business of film/tv. As such we will continue to highlight their creative talents during this time so that their contributions to our entertainment are not overlooked.
Support Pario Magazine
$2.50 / month
Early Access
subscribe
