The Exorcism Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Russell Crowe plays an actor playing a priest who might actually be possessed by the power of method acting… or maybe a demon.

🍿 The Exorcism: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Troubled Actor Takes on a Cursed Role

Anthony Miller, a recovering alcoholic with a troubled past, lands the role of a priest in ‘The Georgetown Project,’ a horror film eerily similar to ‘The Exorcist.’ His daughter, Lee, recently suspended from school, starts working as his PA on set. As production begins, strange occurrences plague Anthony, blurring the lines between his personal demons and something more sinister. Flashbacks to his childhood trauma and disturbing behavior raise concerns about his sobriety and mental state.

Signs of Possession

Lee notices increasingly disturbing changes in her father. He sleepwalks, cuts himself, and exhibits erratic behavior, leading her to believe he’s relapsing. However, a Catholic priest and psychiatrist, Father Conor, reveals that Anthony is reciting incantations to Molech, a demonic entity tied to the film’s plot. As Anthony struggles to deliver his lines and the director, Peter, pushes him to confront his past trauma, his behavior becomes more violent and unsettling. He licks Lee’s cheek, covered in blood, after an outburst, escalating the situation.

Escalating Horror and Violence

The set of ‘The Georgetown Project’ becomes increasingly dangerous. Another actor, Joe, who replaces Anthony in the priest role, is murdered by flying glass. Lee discovers Anthony’s true state when he spits out his medication and attacks her. Fearing for their safety, Lee and her friend Blake seek help from Father Conor. He determines that Anthony is indeed possessed and decides to perform an exorcism on the film set.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Anthony Miller (Russell Crowe): A troubled, recovering alcoholic actor who becomes possessed while playing a priest in a horror film, forcing him to confront his past traumas.
• Lee Miller (Ryan Simpkins): Anthony’s estranged daughter who struggles to discern if her father’s erratic behavior stems from addiction or a more sinister, supernatural cause.
• Joe (Sam Worthington): A fellow actor and co-star who temporarily replaces Anthony and becomes a victim of the possessing demon.
• Blake Holloway (Chloe Bailey): A well-known actress and Lee’s friend who becomes entangled in the supernatural events surrounding the film production.
• Peter (Adam Goldberg): The ruthless and demanding film director who pushes Anthony to his limits, exacerbating his possession.
• Father Conor (David Hyde Pierce): A Catholic priest and psychiatrist serving as a consultant on the film who attempts to help Anthony but becomes a target of the demon.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Anthony Miller: ““Where are you gonna go? You don’t have a school. You don’t have a mother. All you have is me.”” – Said by Anthony to Lee in a menacing voice, revealing his demonic possession and control over her.
• Anthony Miller: ““My name is not Tony.”” – Spoken by the possessed Anthony to his daughter, Lee, highlighting the presence of a demonic entity.
• Father Conor: ““Make a way for the demon Molech; prepare for his arrival; sacrifice your children.”” – Father Conor translates Anthony’s disturbing Latin chanting, revealing the demon Molech’s intentions.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $22,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $4,530,418
• Worldwide Gross: $12,610,418

💥 The Exorcism Reviews

Personal Review

I went into The Exorcism hoping for a truly scary and thought-provoking horror movie, especially with Russell Crowe in the lead. While Crowe delivers a solid performance, the movie as a whole fell flat for me. The initial premise of an actor playing a priest and possibly being possessed was intriguing, but it quickly devolved into predictable tropes and jump scares. There were a few moments where I felt a genuine sense of unease, particularly during the scenes on the movie set. However, these moments were few and far between. The relationship between Crowe’s character and his daughter felt underdeveloped, and the overall story lacked the depth and originality I was expecting. Ultimately, The Exorcism is a decent but ultimately forgettable horror film that fails to live up to its potential.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of supernatural horror”
  • “Viewers interested in meta-narratives”
  • “Russell Crowe fans”
  • “Those who enjoy slow-burn thrillers with a focus on character drama”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Violence”
  • “Disturbing images”
  • “Themes of possession”
  • “Sexual assault references”
  • “Substance abuse”
  • “Language”

Professional Reviews

• IndieWire: “The Exorcism is a disjointed and ultimately unsatisfying horror film that fails to capitalize on its intriguing meta premise. Russell Crowe’s performance is commendable, but the film’s lack of focus and predictable scares make it a forgettable entry in the exorcism subgenre.
• Variety: “Russell Crowe brings his usual intensity to The Exorcism, but the film is bogged down by a derivative plot and uninspired direction. The film-within-a-film concept has potential, but it’s never fully realized, resulting in a lackluster and predictable horror experience.

Audience Reactions

Some appreciated Russell Crowe’s intense performance.: Some viewers felt it started strong with an intriguing premise but ultimately became predictable.

Overall Consensus: General consensus is that it’s a predictable and ultimately forgettable horror movie that doesn’t live up to its initial potential.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Director Joshua John Miller is the son of Jason Miller, who played Father Damien Karras in the original The Exorcist (1973).”
• “The movie within the movie is called “The Georgetown Project”, directly referencing the location of the original The Exorcist film.”

🖥️ How to Watch The Exorcism?

As a recent release, ‘The Exorcism’ is currently available in theaters. For those preferring to watch at home, keep an eye on streaming platforms like Prime Video, Apple TV, and Vudu, where it may become available for rental or purchase in the coming months. Check local listings for theatrical showtimes and availability.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed The Exorcism, you might like these similar films:

• The Exorcist (1973): This is the quintessential possession film, with which ‘The Exorcism’ shares thematic and narrative elements.
• The Pope’s Exorcist (2023): Another recent exorcism film starring Russell Crowe, offering a more straightforward take on demonic battles.
• Final Girls (2015): Director Joshua John Miller also directed Final Girls, which similarly uses meta-commentary on genre tropes.

🛒 The Exorcism Related Products

• The Exorcist (1973) [4K Ultra HD]: Relive the horror classic that inspired a generation of films, now in stunning 4K Ultra HD. See where the Exorcism films gets its material.
• Funko Pop! Movies: The Exorcist – Regan: Add a touch of horror to your collection with this Funko Pop! figure of Regan from The Exorcist. A perfect display for horror fans.
• The Exorcist Board Game: Experience the terror of The Exorcist in this cooperative board game. Work together to save Regan from demonic possession.
• Exorcist T-Shirt: Show your love for the classic horror film with this stylish Exorcist T-shirt. Comfortable and perfect for horror enthusiasts.

🎧 Soundtrack

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

• “Blank Generation” – performed by Richard Hell & The Voidoids

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

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

THE EXORCIST – Death Awaits (mortality theme film analysis) by Rob Ager Collative Learning

Ever wondered what ‘The Exorcist’ is really about? This video dives deep into the film’s exploration of mortality and the pursuit of immortality. Honestly, it blew my mind with its insightful analysis!

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