Tag: The Exorcist: Believer

It’s double the possession in “The Exorcist: Believer” when two teenage girls come back from the woods unknowingly bringing with them a demonic spirit that will forever change their lives.

When the novel by William Peter Blatty, The Exorcist, arrived on shelves in 1971, a spellbound populace devoured the story of shaken faith, family trauma and demonic possession. When director William Friedkin brought the story—from an original screenplay by Blatty—to the screen in December 1973, global audiences were treated to an unimaginable fear that shook them to their core.

Now, 50 years since the blockbuster’s theatrical launch, “The Exorcist: Believer” marks a new beginning that takes audiences into the darkest heart of inexplicable evil. “The original Exorcist film was groundbreaking for its time, and we wanted to honor the film with this continuation,” producer Jason Blum says.  While the 1973 film explored demonic possession from a predominantly Catholic perspective, The Exorcist: Believer incorporates multiple faiths in the fight to save two young girls.

“The film is dealing with the vulnerability of parenthood when you have a child with an unexplainable illness. How you approach a crisis like that is shaped by your own belief system: whether you’re a family that’s devout Baptist or a family that doesn’t believe in God, or a family that’s looking to the medical world, either with great hope or with great suspicion. The film engages in that conversation about science and spirituality,” shares director David Gordon Green.   

Much of the film’s research landed on the screen in various forms, and spiritual experts from every faith referenced in The Exorcist: Believer were hired to consult with the filmmakers and the actors. In the film, the mission to save the teenage girls includes four primary community faith leaders: Catholic priest Father Maddox (E.J. Bonilla), Victor’s friend Stuart, a Pentecostal preacher (Danny McCarthy), Doctor Beehibe, a root doctor (Okwui Okpokwasili) and Pastor Don Revans, a Baptist preacher (Raphael Sbarge).

As the production’s Spiritual Coordinator Carla Duren ensured the spiritual safety of the cast and crew—including their mental and emotional wellbeing.  Before production began, Olivia O’Neill’s mother brought her to a church in order to get a blessing (just to be safe). While there, she met the legendary Martin Sheen, who gave O’Neill his personal rosary for her protection during filming.

The rituals around exorcism and demonology are varied, fascinating and often mysterious.  According to Carla Duren, many of the ritualistic practices and spells seen and heard within the film are from actual exorcism rites and practices, including some of Doctor Beehibe’s practices, which are rooted in spiritual and healing methods that originated in various parts of Africa.  Additionally, according to project consultant Dr. David Bell, a professor at Georgia State University who specializes in psychology of religion, well-to-do religions, generally, do not have as many angry demons. But when life is rough, when minimum life requirements aren’t met in the lower socioeconomic status, there tends to be more demonology.

“The Exorcist: Believer” opens October 4 in cinemas nationwide from Universal Pictures International.

Are you ready to be terror-struck this pre-Halloween season? Well, get ready to dive into the depths of fear as The Exorcist: Believer descends upon the big screen, bringing spine-tingling chills and hair-raising horrors. It’s been fifty years since the iconic “The Exorcist” first sent shockwaves through the world of cinema, and now, a new chapter is set to captivate today’s audiences with its relentless terror. Produced by the masterminds at Blumhouse and helmed by the brilliant director David Gordon Green (known for his work on the Halloween franchise), “The Exorcist: Believer” promises to be an unforgettable horror experience.

A Mesopotamian Nightmare Unleashed

In The Exorcist: Believer, Blumhouse and director David Gordon Green push the boundaries of the horror genre once again. This time, they introduce us to the horrifying world of a Mesopotamian demon named Lamashtu. The story revolves around two teenage girls, Angela (Lidya Jewett) and Katherine (Olivia O’Neill), who venture into the woods one fateful afternoon. Little do they know, they’ve unwittingly invited an ancient evil into their lives, plunging them into a nightmarish ordeal like no other.

A Clash of Faiths

The film introduces us to two families with vastly different backgrounds. Angela’s father, Victor Fielding (Leslie Odom Jr.), lost his wife during a devastating earthquake in Haiti while she was pregnant with Angela. Since that tragic day, Victor has devoted his life to raising Angela on his own. On the other hand, Katherine’s parents, Miranda (Jennifer Nettles) and Tony (Norberto Leo Butz), are devout Christians with unwavering faith, serving as the pillars of their church. Despite their differences, these two families find themselves united in a desperate battle against the malevolent Lamashtu, aided by their tight-knit community, all working tirelessly to save the girls’ lives.

Exploring Faith and Evil

For director David Gordon Green, The Exorcist: Believer offers an opportunity to delve into his long-standing fascination with religions from around the world. He remarks, “I’ve grown up with a fascination of religions of all sorts. When I see a movie that has a religious theme, I’ll often read more about it, or research it.” While the original 1973 film primarily centered on Catholic interpretations of possession, “The Exorcist: Believer” takes a more inclusive approach, examining the phenomenon from the perspectives of multiple faiths.

Lamashtu: The Bloodthirsty Succubus

The demon at the heart of The Exorcist: Believer is the menacing Mesopotamian figure, Lamashtu. In ancient mythology, she was known as a bloodthirsty succubus, notorious for stealing newborns. As the Harvard Library Bulletin reveals, “By the first millennium BCE, Lamashtu was portrayed consistently with a lion’s head and a woman’s body, while retaining the trait of bird talons for feet.” Lamashtu stands as a stark departure from the demon Pazuzu, featured in the original novel and 1973 film, who served as a protective shield against her destructive powers.

A Link to the Past

As the film delves into the heart of darkness and the desperate struggle of parents to free their daughters from demonic possession, it also connects with a character from the original film. Chris MacNeill (Ellen Burstyn), whose daughter Regan (Linda Blair) was also possessed, plays a crucial role. Chris has devoted her life to helping others understand possession, especially parents who have endured the unexplainable. Now a successful author, her writings come to Victor’s attention through his neighbor, Ann (Ann Dowd). Ellen Burstyn reflects on her character, saying, “Chris has had 50 years of living, and I thought, ‘Who has she become? That interested me creatively. We are, in any moment of time, the sum total of everything that has happened to us and how that has become part of our character. That was an interesting challenge to explore.”

Prepare for the Horror

Mark your calendars for October 4th when The Exorcist: Believer from Universal Pictures International (Ph) takes possession of theaters. The terror begins with midnight screenings on its opening day. Get ready for an unforgettable cinematic experience that will leave you clutching your seat in fear. Don’t miss it if you dare!

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If you’re a horror film enthusiast, get ready to be spooked and thrilled because Universal Pictures is about to unleash terror with its upcoming horror flick, “The Exorcist: Believer“. The official trailer has just been released, and it’s already sending shivers down our spines!

The trailer begins with two young girls getting lost in the eerie woods, but what unfolds afterward is far more sinister and disturbing. The film boasts an impressive cast, including the legendary Ellen Burstyn, known for her unforgettable role in the 1973 classic “The Exorcist,” one of the most iconic horror movies of all time. Alongside her are talented actors Leslie Odom Jr., Ann Dowd, Jennifer Nettles, Norbert Leo Butz, Lidya Jewett, and newcomer Olivia Marcum.

“The Exorcist,” based on William Peter Blatty’s best-selling book, made history when it hit the cinemas, breaking box office records and becoming the first horror film ever to be nominated for Best Picture at the Academy Awards with ten nominations.

Now, get ready for a chilling new chapter in “The Exorcist: Believer,” brought to you by Blumhouse and the brilliant director David Gordon Green, who previously wowed audiences with his fresh take on the Halloween franchise.

The story revolves around Victor Fielding, portrayed by Tony winner and Oscar® nominee Leslie Odom Jr., who has been raising his daughter Angela (played by Lidya Jewett) alone since his wife’s tragic death in a Haitian earthquake twelve years ago.

But everything takes a sinister turn when Angela and her friend Katherine (newcomer Olivia Marcum) mysteriously vanish in the woods, only to reappear three days later with no memory of what transpired. As their families try to make sense of the inexplicable events, a series of terrifying occurrences unfolds, pushing Victor to confront the darkest forces imaginable. Desperate for answers, he seeks help from the only person who can understand such malevolence: Chris MacNeil.

For the first time in nearly five decades, the iconic Oscar® winner Ellen Burstyn returns to the screen as Chris MacNeil, an actress forever scarred by the horrors she endured with her daughter Regan all those years ago.

Adding to the stellar cast is Emmy winner Ann Dowd, who plays Victor and Angela’s neighbor, and Grammy winner Jennifer Nettles and two-time Tony winner Norbert Leo Butz, portraying Katherine’s parents.

“The Exorcist: Believer” is masterfully directed by David Gordon Green, with a screenplay co-written by Peter Sattler and David Gordon Green, based on a gripping story by Scott Teems, Danny McBride, and David Gordon Green, all staying true to the rich legacy of William Peter Blatty’s original characters.

Get ready to have your nerves tested, as “The Exorcist: Believer” is set to hit Philippines cinemas on October 11th, courtesy of Universal Pictures International. Brace yourself for a spine-chilling ride into the depths of horror and evil you won’t soon forget! So gather your bravest friends and mark your calendars, because this is one horror film you won’t want to miss!

_{Photo & Video Credit: “Universal Pictures International”}