The Exorcist: Believer Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Two girls play in the woods, accidentally summon a demon, and suddenly everyone needs Chris MacNeil’s unsolicited advice on interior decorating (of possessed children).

🍿 The Exorcist: Believer: Detailed Plot Synopsis

A Father’s Loss and a Daughter’s Curiosity

Victor Fielding, a single father haunted by the death of his wife Sorenne in Haiti, raises his daughter Angela in Georgia. Thirteen years after the tragedy, Angela and her friend Katherine, driven by youthful curiosity, attempt to contact Angela’s deceased mother through a séance in the woods. This seemingly harmless act sets off a terrifying chain of events.

Missing and Found, But Something’s Wrong

The girls vanish, sparking a frantic three-day search. When they are found in a barn, they have no memory of what happened to them, suffering only burns on their feet. However, it soon becomes clear that something sinister has returned with them. Angela and Katherine begin exhibiting disturbing behavior, hinting at a dark presence within.

Signs of Possession and a Desperate Plea for Help

As the girls’ behavior escalates, those around them begin to realize something is terribly wrong. Ann, a nurse and neighbor, recognizes the signs of demonic possession and shares Chris MacNeil’s memoir with Victor. Desperate, Victor seeks out Chris, the only person alive who has witnessed such horror. Chris’s experience with her daughter Regan in the original *Exorcist* makes her a crucial ally, but also places her in grave danger.

The Ecumenical Exorcism

With Chris’s guidance, Victor assembles an unlikely team to perform an ecumenical exorcism. He enlists the help of Father Maddox, a priest; Pastor Revans, a Baptist minister; Stuart, a Pentecostal preacher; and Dr. Beehibe, a rootwork healer. Despite facing skepticism and religious restrictions, they gather to confront the evil possessing the girls.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Victor Fielding (Leslie Odom Jr.): A single father grappling with loss and faith, who desperately seeks help when his daughter shows signs of demonic possession.
• Angela Fielding (Lidya Jewett): Victor’s daughter who, along with her friend, becomes the target of a demonic force after a séance.
• Katherine West (Olivia O’Neill): Angela’s best friend who is also possessed after the girls attempt to contact Angela’s deceased mother.
• Chris MacNeil (Ellen Burstyn): A mother forever changed by her daughter’s possession fifty years prior, now consulted for her expertise.
• Ann (Ann Dowd): A nurse and Victor’s neighbor with a hidden past, who offers support and insight during the possession.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Katherine: “Did the power of Christ compel you?” – A sarcastic and taunting remark, echoing a famous line from the original Exorcist, used by one of the possessed girls.
• Demon: “Choose which one lives.” – The demon forces the parents to make an impossible choice during the exorcism, dictating which of the two girls will survive.
• Chris MacNeil: “We have to join forces.” – Chris MacNeil attempts to use her experience to help in the new exorcism, emphasizing the need for a united front against evil.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $30,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $65,537,395
• Worldwide Gross: $136,294,607

💥 The Exorcist: Believer Reviews

Personal Review

As a huge fan of the original Exorcist, I went in with high hopes, but I left feeling let down. The movie felt like it was trying too hard to recreate the iconic moments, but it lacked the genuine terror. I did appreciate the return of Chris MacNeil, but even her presence couldn’t save it. Some scenes were unsettling, but overall, it just didn’t live up to the hype for me. I wanted to be scared, but I mostly felt bored.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of the original Exorcist film”
  • “Viewers interested in demonic possession stories”
  • “Those who enjoy horror films with religious themes”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Graphic violence and disturbing imagery”
  • “Religious themes and demonic content”
  • “Profanity and unsettling situations”
  • “Intense scenes that may be frightening for sensitive viewers”

Professional Reviews

• Rotten Tomatoes: “Despite some chilling moments and solid performances, ‘The Exorcist: Believer’ fails to recapture the terror and impact of the original, offering a predictable and ultimately disappointing experience.
• IGN: “The Exorcist: Believer’ struggles to justify its existence, relying on tired tropes and lacking the originality and raw power of its predecessor. The scares are few and far between.
• Variety: “Ultimately, ‘The Exorcist: Believer’ is more generic than genuinely frightening, failing to deliver the psychological depth and disturbing atmosphere that made the original a classic.

Audience Reactions

The return of Ellen Burstyn was a welcome addition, though underutilized.: Some found the practical effects and makeup to be effectively creepy.

The movie’s ending left many viewers feeling unsatisfied and unresolved.: A few viewers appreciated the attempt to blend different religious elements in the exorcism.

Overall Consensus: The Exorcist: Believer fails to live up to the legacy of the original, offering a largely uninspired and underwhelming horror experience.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Ellen Burstyn initially declined to return to the franchise but agreed after the studio offered her a substantial salary, which she then donated to her acting scholarship program.”
• “David Gordon Green, who directed this film, also directed the recent ‘Halloween’ trilogy, sparking debate among horror fans about his approach to legacy franchises.”
• “The film explores themes of faith and community, incorporating elements from different religious traditions in the exorcism sequence.”

🖥️ How to Watch The Exorcist: Believer?

The Exorcist: Believer is available for streaming on platforms such as Prime Video, Apple TV, and Vudu. You can rent or purchase the movie through these services. Check your local listings for cable on-demand options as well.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed The Exorcist: Believer, you might like these similar films:

• The Exorcist (1973): Direct comparison; the original and groundbreaking film in the exorcism horror genre.
• The Conjuring (2013): Thematic similarity; another modern horror film focused on demonic possession and paranormal investigation.
• Evil Dead Rise (2023): Modern Equivalent; features demonic possession and intense gore and terror with a contemporary setting.
• The Rite (2011): Thematic Similarity; Focuses on a skeptical seminary student attending exorcism school at the Vatican, exploring themes of faith and doubt.

🛒 The Exorcist: Believer Related Products

• The Exorcist (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) [Vinyl]: Own a piece of horror history with the original iconic soundtrack on vinyl. Experience the chilling music that defined the genre.
• The Exorcist (1973) [4K Ultra HD]: Experience the original Exorcist in stunning 4K resolution. Witness the groundbreaking special effects and terrifying story like never before.
• The Exorcist: Believer – Official Movie Poster: High-quality print of the official movie poster. Perfect for decorating your home theater or horror-themed room.
• The Exorcist Believer T-Shirt: Lamashtu Demon: High-quality print of the Lamashtu Demon. Perfect for decorating your home theater or horror-themed room.

🎧 Soundtrack

The Exorcist: Believer features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Tubular Bells” – performed by Mike Oldfield
• “Kamimizye” – performed by Foula

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

The Exorcist: Believer | A Look Inside

Curious about how they brought the horror to life? This behind-the-scenes look gives you a peek at the making of ‘The Exorcist: Believer’ – definitely worth watching to see the effort put into those terrifying scenes!

The Exorcist: Believer (2023) – Movie Review

Thinking about watching ‘The Exorcist: Believer’? Check out this review for an honest opinion – it might just sway your decision! It gives a balanced view, which I appreciate before investing time in a movie.

Mark Kermode explains his Exorcist obsession

Want to know why ‘The Exorcist’ still resonates after all these years? Mark Kermode’s insights are super interesting – his passion is infectious! It’s cool hearing his personal connection to the original movie.

The Exorcist: Believer Movie REACTION | Michael Knowles

Looking for a review with a bit more depth? This reaction video not only covers the horror aspects but also delves into the cultural commentary within ‘The Exorcist: Believer.’ It gives another perspective to consider!

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