---
dir: William Friedkin
writ: William Peter Blatty
rdate: 1973
rating: 9
genre: Horror
---

#movies 
The Exorcist is a **1973** horror film directed by William Friedkin and written for the screen by [[William Peter Blatty]]

## Plot
In northern [Iraq](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iraq "Iraq"), Catholic priest [Lankester Merrin](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lankester_Merrin "Lankester Merrin") participates in an archaeological dig which unearths a medallion of [Saint Joseph](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Joseph "Saint Joseph") and an artifact representing [Pazuzu](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pazuzu_(The_Exorcist) "Pazuzu (The Exorcist)"), an ancient demon. As Merrin prepares to leave Iraq, he sees a large statue of Pazuzu, and two dogs fighting.

In [Georgetown](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Georgetown_(Washington,_D.C.) "Georgetown (Washington, D.C.)"), actress Chris MacNeil works on a film directed by her friend Burke Dennings. A temporary resident, Chris lives in a well-appointed house with servants and her 12-year-old daughter Regan. Georgetown-based priest Damien Karras visits his mother in New York. He confides to a colleague that he feels unfit in his role as counselor to other priests, citing a crisis of faith. Chris hears noises in the attic, and Regan tells her of an [imaginary friend](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Imaginary_friend "Imaginary friend") named "Captain Howdy". In a local church, a statue of [Mary](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mary,_mother_of_Jesus "Mary, mother of Jesus") is found desecrated.

Chris hosts a party. Karras' friend Father Dyer explains Karras' role as counselor, mentioning that his mother died recently. Regan appears and urinates on the carpet. After Chris puts Regan to bed, her bed shakes violently. Dyer consoles Karras, and Karras expresses guilt at not having been with his mother when she died. Karras dreams of his mother, a Saint Joseph medallion and—briefly—a demonic face.

Regan becomes violent. She is subjected to several medical tests which fail to find anything physically wrong with her. During a [house call](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/House_call "House call"), a demon [possesses Regan's body](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spirit_possession "Spirit possession"); the possessed Regan exhibits abnormal strength. One night, Chris finds the house empty except for a sleeping Regan. Dennings is found dead at the foot of [an outdoor staircase](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Exorcist_steps "Exorcist steps") beneath Regan's window. Homicide detective William Kinderman questions Karras, confiding that Dennings' body was found with its head turned backwards.

Regan's condition worsens, and her body becomes covered with sores. A doctor mentions exorcism as a remote option, suggesting a possible psychological benefit. Kinderman visits Chris, explaining that the only plausible explanation for Dennings' death is that he was pushed from Regan's window. As Kinderman leaves, the possessed Regan stabs her genitals with a crucifix. To Chris' horror, the possessed Regan turns her head backwards and speaks in Dennings' voice. The possessed Regan is confined to her bedroom.

Chris seeks out Karras, who visits Regan. Over two meetings, the possessed Regan claims to be [the Devil himself](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Satan "Satan"), [projectile vomits](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vomiting "Vomiting") into Karras' face, [speaks in tongues](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Speaking_in_tongues "Speaking in tongues"), and reacts violently when tap water is sprinkled on her, which Karras had claimed was [holy water](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holy_water "Holy water")—a point against genuine possession. The demon says it will remain in Regan until she is dead. Desperate, Chris confides that the possessed Regan killed Dennings. At night, Chris' assistant calls Karras to the house. They witness the words "help me" materialize on Regan's skin. Still ambivalent, Karras nevertheless concludes that an exorcism is warranted. His superior grants permission on the condition that an experienced priest lead the ritual while Karras assists. Merrin, having performed an exorcism before, is summoned.

Merrin arrives at the house, warning Karras that the demon uses a psychological attack. As the priests read from the [Roman Ritual](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roman_Ritual "Roman Ritual"), the demon curses them. It focuses on Karras, verbally attacking his loss of faith and guilt over the circumstances of his mother's death. The priests rest momentarily and Merrin, shaking, takes [nitroglycerin](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nitroglycerin "Nitroglycerin"). Karras enters the bedroom where the demon appears as his mother. Showing weakness, Karras exclaims that the demon is not his mother. Merrin excuses Karras and continues the exorcism by himself. Karras assures Chris that Regan will not die and re-enters the room, finding Merrin dead. Enraged, Karras beats the possessed Regan and demands that the demon take him instead. The demon rips a medallion of Saint Joseph from Karras' neck and begins to possess him, freeing Regan. Karras [hurls himself out the window](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Autodefenestration "Autodefenestration"), tumbling down the stairs outside. Chris and Kinderman enter the room. Chris embraces the healed Regan, and Kinderman surveys the violence and confusion. Outside, Dyer administers the [last rites](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Last_rites "Last rites") as Karras dies.

The MacNeils prepare to leave, and Father Dyer says goodbye. Despite having no memory of her ordeal, Regan is moved by the sight of Dyer's [clerical collar](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clerical_collar "Clerical collar") to kiss him on the cheek. As the MacNeils leave, Chris gives Dyer the medallion found in Regan's room.

In 2000, "The Version You've Never Seen" or the "Extended Director's Cut", was released. In the ending of this version, when Chris gives Karras' medallion to Dyer, Dyer places it back in her hand and suggests that she keep it. After she and Regan drive away, Dyer pauses at the top of the stone steps before walking away and coming across Kinderman, who narrowly missed Chris and Regan's departure; Kinderman and Dyer begin to develop a friendship.

## Themes
1. Faith vs Science
2. Sexual abuse
3. 