Creepy and Geeky: “The Exorcist” and “Believer”
As we prepare for the 50th anniversary of “The Exorcist”, two returning favorites join the show to discuss this classic and the 2023 sequel.
SHOW NOTES FROM HOST ROBERT:
It’s my 100th episode! Who better to celebrate this momentous occasion with than my two most frequent guests, my daughter Katrina and my great friend and fellow podcaster Donna Tha Dead? They join me to talk about the classic horror film, the original Exorcist, and the new sequel, Believer. Hot takes abound in this one, as you might have already guessed.
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The Exorcist is a 1973 American supernatural horror film directed by William Friedkin from a screenplay by William Peter Blatty, based on his 1971 novel of the same name. The story follows the demonic possession of a young girl (Linda Blair) and her mother’s (Ellen Burstyn) attempt to rescue her through an exorcism by two Catholic priests (Max von Sydow and Jason Miller).
The film made a killing at the box office, gained a massive cult following, spawned a media franchise, and became the blueprint for all future demon possession/exorcism films.
Though critics were initially split on the film at the time of its release, many were overcome by just how terrifying the film was and how different it felt from anything that had previously been seen on the screen. Horror publications seemed to immediately understand the film was destined for genre hall of fame status, though few could have anticipated just how influential and culturally important the film would become.
Even the film’s critics had a hard time denying the brilliance of the direction and performances, the jaw-dropping special effects, and the stunning cinematography.
A sequel, The Exorcist: Believer, was released fifty years later on October 6, 2023, with Burstyn and Blair reprising their roles.
Directed by David Gordon Green (Halloween), who co-wrote the screenplay with Peter Sattler (from a story by Scott Teems, Danny McBride, and Green), the sixth installment in The Exorcist franchise serves as a direct sequel to The Exorcist (1973). Its plot follows a photographer who must confront the nadir of evil when his daughter and her best friend are possessed. Critical reception has not been kind.
Given how beloved the original film is, it’s not surprising that this remake was massively polarizing and controversial in the horror community. No doubt, it had an impossible act to follow and a no-win challenge of trying to honor what made the original so compelling without simply retreading ground that had already been covered flawlessly.
Five decades later, in a landscape littered with Exorcist ripoffs and homage-heavy horrors, would it take an act of god to surprise, shock, and scare the way The Exorcist was able to do upon its release?
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Follow Katrina on Twitter @rckmnky
Follow Donna on Twitter @donnathadead
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT:
We’ve been discussing another iconic horror franchise, the Chucky series, and it’s been a wild ride. Make sure you catch up!
ABOUT THE SHOW:
Creepy and Geeky is a podcast about horror/comic book movies and so much more. Creepy double-feature episodes come out every Monday, and Geeky comic book episodes are released every Friday. Your host, Robert, is a geek through and through, absorbing all manner of pop culture, but specifically addicted to comic books, movies, and horror.
New episodes drop every Monday. Listen wherever you get your podcasts or right here on Morbidly Beautiful.
We’ll be sharing every horror episode shortly after it drops. But if you love the show as much as we do, we encourage you to tune into the weekly comic book episodes as well.
SHOW NOTES
Show music is ”Gratitude” by Jerry Smith. Follow Jerry on Twitter @JerryisjustOK. Follow us on Twitter: @CreepyAndGeeky and @Geekthulhu. Buy Creepy and Geeky tees and more on Teepublic. Support the show on Ko-fi.
Hosted by Robert Clark (aka Geekthulhu), Creepy and Geeky is a podcast that celebrates the love of horror, comic books, cult cinema, and more with episodes every week.
A Morbidly Beautiful Podcast
131: Moon Knight with Gabriella Foor
New guest Gabriella Foor joins me to talk about the MCU Disney+ show Moon Knight.
Follow Gabriella on Twitter @lavelavioleta
Music is ”Gratitude” by Harper Smith
Follow Harper on Twitter @HarperisjustOK
Follow the podcast on Twitter: @CreepyAndGeeky and @Geekthulhu
Buy Creepy and Geeky tees and more on Teepublic
Support the show on Ko-fi
Creepy and Geeky is a part of the Morbidly Beautiful Podcast Network
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