The Exorcist

This film is incredibly bold, atmospheric, and intense for its time. What couldn't be achieved with visual effects is resolved with brilliant camera work and the constant feeling of escalating tension, culminating in the literally heart-stopping exorcism sequence. It is an exceptional thing, but very difficult to watch. (2004-11-28)

The nowadays approach to ghosts in horrors is very different from the original Exorcist. I haven’t seen anyone look at the supernatural in such a pragmatic way as in this movie in a while. The contemporary horror movies take ghosts for granted. But in this movie it wasn’t like that. It was quite the contrary; they tried their best to convince the mother of the little girl that she was just sick. Fortunately the fans will be eventually rewarded because after the series of quite confusing cuts which totally ruin what would otherwise be some quite thrilling scenes, the ending scene full of exorcism starts and it is so amazing that it has no equalin the movie industry. It might be because it was one of the first of its kind. After the awkward beginning which in its own way creates the atmosphere of something like an anti-horror it eventually becomes more than a solid experience. (2019-08-26)

I first saw this movie when I was 15 years old... I didn't sleep that night. Then I bought the book, read it, and discovered that it was probably the exception to the rule where the adaptation is better. I went to the movie theater to enjoy the director´s cut. I knew The Exorcist by heart, I knew what to expect from it, when what scene was coming (the few skipped ones didn't have to be there, just a digital remaster would have been fine), but I HAVE NEVER BEEN SO FU***** SCARED IN A MOVIE THEATER! As far as horror movies go, it's an inimitable thing that makes me smile at almost every movie that calls itself a horror movie. The exorcism scene is like a heart attack. Without a doubt the best horror film of all time. (2008-01-15)

Superb film, flawless horror. There’s no need to praise the details, the rating speaks for itself (I actually don’t know what I would reproach). This film didn’t feel as old as it really is – time has left a deeper mark in much younger films – The Exorcist could meet even the stricter standards of today. (2008-05-21)

As a cult classic, The Exorcist may not have been one of the best horror films I've ever seen, but it still deserves recognition and attention. The truly frightening scenes could be counted on one hand, but the transformation of Regan and the special effects were terrifying in their own right. The beginning was a bit drawn out, incomprehensible to me at times, but later the plot began to build up to the very finale. In short, one of those films that over time has found its rightful place among the must-see films of a lifetime. (2014-08-20)