The Exorcist: Believer is a pretty good movie that’s so stuffed with characters and not-quite-developed ideas that you may come away from it thinking about what it could have been instead. Directed and co-written by David Gordon Green, who recently oversaw a trilogy of “Halloween” sequels, it focuses on the simultaneous possession of two young girls (apparently by the same demon that haunted the first movie) and the harmonic convergence of parents and clerics trying to liberate them from evil. The film captures the persistent sense of the uncanny that made William Friedkin’s original “Exorcist” a smash hit. The opening third, which sets all of the narrative pieces in place, is the slowest and subtlest part of the movie, using silence, misdirection, and negative space to create tension.
Movie Review: The Exorcist: Believer
Character Development and Performances
The main characters are a widowed father named Victor Fielding (played by Leslie Odom Jr.) and his daughter Angela (Lidya Jewett). Victor’s backstory is gradually revealed through flashbacks, adding depth to his character. The performances of the two young girls save the film, especially Angela’s portrayal by Lidya Jewett. However, the movie becomes less compelling as it goes along, losing touch with its initial power due to an overly crowded ensemble cast.
Director’s Style and Technical Aspects
David Gordon Green pays homage to William Friedkin’s original “Exorcist” by using similar techniques to set viewers on edge. Disruptive sounds, unnerving closeups, and clever editing contribute to the film’s eerie atmosphere. However, the movie’s energy gets dispersed as it juggles multiple characters and subplots.
Strengths and Weaknesses
Strengths:
- Effective use of tension-building techniques
- Strong performances by the young actors
- Captures the uncanny vibe of the original
Weaknesses:
- Overcrowded ensemble cast
- Loses focus on the main characters
- Lack of new ideas and scares
Recommendation
If you can resist comparing it to the classic 1973 film that started the franchise, “Exorcist: Believer” is a halfway decent possession thriller. However, it falls short of the original’s impact. Fans of the horror genre might find it worth watching, but it doesn’t quite reach the heights of its predecessor.
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Leslie Odom Jr.
As Victor Fielding -
Lidya Jewett
As Angela Fielding -
Olivia O'Neill
As Katherine West -
Ann Dowd
As Nurse Ann Brooks -
Jennifer Nettles
As Miranda West -
Norbert Leo Butz
As Tony West -
Okwui Okpokwasili
As Dr. Beehibe
Anushka
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