User Score
8.1 out of 10

Universal acclaim- based on 104 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 90 out of 104
  2. Negative: 8 out of 104

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  1. Oct 5, 2011
    8
    "The Exorcist" is a blood-rushing horror movie that will genuinely scare your ass off with its A grade makeup and a chilling performance by Linda Blair. It will remain as one of the true horror movies throughout the history of films.
  2. VanessaL.
    Mar 12, 2007
    10
    This movie is sooooooooooo scarey that I had to sleep with my parents for a whole week. Just the thought of being in a bedroom creeps me out due to the fact that most of the film is shot in Ragen's room. The effects are brilliant, and the film itself does its job as a horror flick; it lets our imaginations run wild without our control. If you like extreme horror movies, you should definetly consider watching this. Otherwise, KEEP AWAY UNTIL YOU CAN TAKE IT!!! Expand
  3. Oct 31, 2010
    10
    This movie is the scariest of all time! Gave me nightmares as a kid and the Blu Ray 2 disc set doesn't disappoint... The documentary and making of additions are A+.
  4. MD
    Feb 4, 2006
    10
    Miles ahead of its time and fully deserves the title of 'classic'.
  5. ConradR.
    Jul 9, 2001
    0
    I rarely vote a movie 0, but The Exorcist has nothing to offer. I thought it was slow to get going, when i realised it was coming to an end. Disgusting, vulgar, a cheap horror disguised as a masterpiece.
  6. May 2, 2011
    9
    One of the most disturbing films I have seen so far in my movie-watching hobbies, Some scenes are incomprehensible if you haven't read the book, but apart from that a classic for its time.
  7. Oct 5, 2012
    10
    The Exorcist One of the best horror movie's 0f the 70's The Exorcist (1973). The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974) . The Omen (1976). Carrie (1976). Halloween (1978) ,
  8. MichaelC.
    Feb 20, 2001
    9
    Um, it's the classically stunning horror film The Exorcist. Need I say more?
  9. CarrieE.
    Apr 3, 2003
    10
    This movie is a true horror if there ever was one. It is very disturbing, especially on the religious side, but the body movements, the speech, it was all in good timing. Slightly bloody and violent with vulgar language used but still true horror. Perfect for any halloween or dark stormy night.
  10. Rob
    Jul 2, 2003
    8
    The first half hour of this movie (in either version), DRAGS. However, once past the rather slow exhibition, be prepared for one of the most frightening movies ever made. A movie I do not recommend watching until well into adulthood, only because, by adulthood, you have a belief system firmly implanted within you. This movie challeneges those beliefs.
  11. RonaldS.
    Oct 25, 2001
    10
    Absolutely, the scariest movie I have ever seen in my life. I'm a huge fan of the horror genre and have seen my fair share of movies. None had such an impact on my life as The Exorcist. If you need to stay awake for a day or two...watch this movie in a dark room at high volume. Incredible.
  12. TheGilbertMulroneycakesAffair
    Dec 4, 2002
    10
    Yes. Yes. Yes. If you are not utterly chilled and repusled by this movie, you're probably mineral. Okay. But. The new "thangs" are a mixed bunch; and the ending especially has been as utterly ruined as that of the Apocalypse Now Redux. (Music over the credits? A black background? What happened to the utterly chilling silent-napalm-attack that the credits originally rolled over? Hmm?) Idiots, all of them, idiots. 10 out of 10 because even a new, ultra-crap ending doesn't ruin it. Expand
  13. YoonMinC.
    Nov 10, 2003
    9
    A low, dirty, and disgusting horror flick that's plenty effective. It not only looks ugly, it FEELS ugly as though a giant cockroach is crawling inside of you. Key to its effectiveness is the pervasive sense of desecration. Your average horror movie piles gore upon gore. The horror of Exorcist smears slime on pure icons of the church, invades idyllic suburbia, and makes a nubile but virginal teen to do all sorts of nasty things before turning her mouth into an excretory organ. In lesser hands, this would have been one of the most reprehensible movies ever. Friedkin, the master of French Connection, knew how to incrementally notch up the suspense and then suddenly rub us in some of the most putrid images ever. The excellent performances are crucial by anchoring the outlandish horror in the world of plausibility, thereby making OUR world feel threatened by the evil. However, one still wonders what the hell is Satan doing playing a dumb joke like this? Why not cook up another Hitler or Stalin instead of turning puberty into a nightmare when it's pretty traumatic as it is. Also, isn't evil most dangerous when it comes behind a smiling face and warm handshake than when it comes so nakedly and obviously? The problem with most movie villains is they go out of their way to tell us they are bad. They kick dogs or blow up kids(Untouchables). The Satan of Exorcist has been watching too many Hollywood movies. Still, the movie has one thing that's beyond reproach. Jason Miller powerful and ennobling performance as a tormented, guilt-ridden priest seeking redemption. Expand
  14. [Anonymous]
    May 16, 2003
    10
    This movie is da BOMB!! rating it 0 r u from planet ZOEG?? it was rather grusome at times but was brill
  15. AndrewM.
    May 9, 2004
    9
    Simply the most fiendish, guttural, disquieting and soiled film ever made. If you're looking for these qualities in a film, this is the one. Some of the scenes are so nasty you want to look away, but can't. A true horror classic and a movie that will stay with you for a long time after. I like Scott M.'s comment... I did not enjoy it, but I did like it.
  16. RickT
    Apr 27, 2005
    10
    This horror movie will always stand the test of time because it is simple horror with good vs. evil. This movie gets into your mind and you always remember it. I first saw the movie in 1973 and I could not watch in the theatre. I kept my head down the entire time. The gutteral sounds were frightening enough to send me to the lobby. I can now look at the film but it still remains to be very disturbing and thought provoking. I believe the re-release version is better. The spider walk scene scared the .... out of me and was totally unexpected. Most horror films end up becomming slasher movies. You cannot watch this film and not be effected by the disturbing turn of events. Expand
  17. MarcD.
    Oct 27, 2006
    8
    The original film never frightened me. What it did went much deeper. Friedkin's original film adaptation of the Blatty novel was a landmark in cinematic horror because it was constrained by the limitations of its medium. Instead, it used them to provide the most while showing you as little as possible. Emotions like horror, and its close cousins suspense and tension, don't need to be created within the audience. They need to be brought to the surface. This is why 'The Exorcist' remains compelling viewing after 33 years. The concepts and themes within the film isn't anything we haven't seen before. It's always been there. The fear works because the fear is real on a primal level which we can't truly explain. We fear what we know. Subjecting the audience, the false sense of safety within that dark theatre is now revealed to be a silly misguided illusion. Friedkin knew this. As does fear. This version simply shows the same thing. And it's scary. Not as much though. We see a little more than we should. Ultimately, the best horror told is the one which leaves more to the imagination of the audience. Give us more credit Hollywood. Highbrow horror works. Expand
  18. LindaB.
    Jun 30, 2001
    10
    Scary as hell.
  19. DrewC.
    Dec 2, 2002
    9
    What kinda jackass wold rate this movie 0?? I mean, it was pretty scary, but the thing that got me was the that it was hilarious at times. Maybe it wasn't trying to be funny, but nonetheless, it was well done.
  20. ScottM.
    Jul 6, 2003
    10
    I am not easy to scare. And I am a christian so I wasnt so happy about renting it. Well it definitely was the scariest movie I have ever seen and it had a good message to it. Cant say I enjoyed it but I did like it.
  21. SamiG.
    Jun 28, 2004
    10
    This was by far the best movie i have ever seen!!
  22. JesusG.
    Apr 17, 2005
    10
    This is, if I can be so bold, the Scariest Movie Ever Made, witch still has the power and strength to actually make my head turn 90 degrees around. The New Version doesn't improve it alot more but has a new trick up it's sleeve and actually makes it more terrifying.
  23. raphaellap.
    Sep 1, 2005
    10
    This is a great film, this excelent!!!!
  24. RyanM.
    May 28, 2001
    10
    It is the scariest film ever made. It's absolutely brilliant.
  25. DannyC.
    Mar 22, 2002
    10
    I would like to order the movie the Exorcist.
  26. MikeW.
    Aug 29, 2004
    4
    I believe William Friedkin's adaptation of Blattys novel is a masterpiece of cinema. But by adding 11 extra minute screwed up the entire movie. Redoing scenes, adding digital effects, adding the spider walk scene. But then botches it up completely. For god sakes just go see the original.
  27. TonyB.
    Sep 26, 2005
    10
    For non-believers, a brilliantly conceived and executed horror classic. For the rest of us, it's all that and more, a tale awesome in its implications.
  28. Oct 27, 2012
    10
    People are really simple: we are evil by nature. I mean REALLY evil. So evil, in fact, that we crave the destuction of everything around us. Do you think the devil exists because we are some great being? No, the devil exists because that is largely hat we are. We are terrible. We are horrific. We wish others evil because that's what we are. We are all possessed. We are all supernatural beings that wish the worst upon the world. We are evil. We are all demons. We want all of the world to experience our terror. We are all the devil. We are satan. We are destorers. We will kill. We will destroy. Everyone around us wishes for our death. We want everyone dead..... that is Reagan. Or is it all of us? Expand
  29. SFN
    Jan 8, 2011
    10
    this scared the s**t out of me, excellent plot of a movie and the whole entire movei will keep you scared to death even thou it can get boring at some parts and also alil confusing its still one of the best scary movies i have ever seen in my life
  30. Jun 27, 2011
    8
    One of the few horror films that still make me afraid. Some scenes are bone-chilling! Magnificent performances, excellent special effects (even today because nowadays everything is based on the CGI), interesting story, screenplay and a fabulous voice acting superb from the wonderful Mercedes McCambridge as the voice of the devil. What strikes me most in this movie is not the horror of the possession of a child of 12 years but the fear of a mother who desperately tries to find a solution to save her daughter. The performance of Ellen Burstyn is simply heavenly. She got through all the despair of the character. Rare to see a horror movie with a performance like hers. Linda Blair also devastating in her operations. This film, regardless of whether or not original is so good it managed to make the Academy (which clearly leaves no room for horror movies) plunged and made it being indicated along with some number of Oscars. This really is a fact that should be taken into consideration. Collapse
  31. Apr 1, 2011
    10
    One of the most artfully crafted, yet entertaining, horror films of all time, if not THE most. It's too bad that filmmakers today don't realize that the horror genre isn't exempt from Oscar-calibre directing, acting and writing. 4-star classic!
  32. May 25, 2012
    9
    One of the best horror films of all time, and this is also one of the most believable horror movies ever, I must say. The scenes are super scary that you need like 10 persons watching the movie together........
  33. Oct 28, 2011
    10
    Vi esta película cuando tenía 9 años de edad, solo en la sala de mi casa, a escondidas de mi padre. Me impactó demasiado, me pareció fascinantemente terrorífica, además me parece que se puede analizar desde muchas perspectivas, una es la de los límites de la medicina, del pensamiento mágico y desde lo simbólico; habría que ver qué le sucedió a Reagan para que iniciara con los síntomas. Para ser de su época los efectos y la ambientación es perfecta. La mejor película de terror de todos los tiempos. Expand
  34. Nov 30, 2011
    0
    this is the worst movie i watch.i understand and appreciate this origin and being ahead of ot's time but this lack character development,background,and lame scary scene.bad introduction for modern audience.its more of a comedy...
  35. Jan 25, 2012
    10
    Fantastic...a classic, but not any classic, a brilliant horror film! Either if you are religious or not, atheist or theist...this is definitely one of those movies that are made for every different taste. I have watched many times, and I will definitely watch it many more...
  36. May 12, 2012
    9
    Ingenious,thrilling,intense and Superbly acted Horror thriller. I was watching it as it is 39 Year Old movie. and i enjoyed watching it. but i felt as it as more of a thriller. Some scenes are very disturbing and horrifying,i must say well,i am a modern boy and not used to a classic horror but i quite liked it. the best part of the movie is Climax,I loved it. If you 're looking for Horror-Thriller flick with a soul and good script.you'll definitely like it Expand
  37. Sep 10, 2012
    10
    The Exorcist is clearly one of the finest horror films ever made or I should say it is one of my top favourite horror films. Some films aren't supposed to be just watched and forgotten after a while, but should be remembered by every generation for decades and centuries, The Exorcist is one of those films that fit the second definition of films as it is still considered as a benchmark for most of the horror films and is admired for incorporating such a conservative topic (if you think about how things were in 1973) which turned it into a masterpiece. Whenever I think of the word "horror" or even just watch it written somewhere, this films is one of a few things that come to my mind. Expand
  38. Jan 12, 2013
    7
    Terrifying.
  39. Nov 10, 2012
    4
    Film culto degli anni 70, stupì per gli effetti speciali fin troppo spinti per quell'epoca e per la storia tragica e terrificante. Riproposto negli anni 2000 con l'aggiunta di nuove scene, è un film mediocre, generalmente di stupidità, ma divenuto famoso per il fatto che a quel tempo era una sfida vedere l'intero film. Adesso rimane un film di culto certamente, ma sopratutto di spavento, perché fa molta paura, ma scontata: se c'era un modo per concentrare tutti i più orribili fatti che potessero accadere in un film, Fredkin ce la fatta, ma prolunga troppo la storia con sequenza terrificanti, innovative ma stupide. Un film sopravvalutato... Expand
  40. Feb 9, 2013
    8
    Despite all the eagerness of the film, and the lack of sensitivity, The Exorcist is unsettling and gruesome. You won't believe your eyes when you watch a little kid creep the living hell out of you. It might just be the most haunting movie of all time.
  41. May 21, 2013
    7
    Well this is the best possessed makeup ever!
    Some scenes are really shocking and disgusting, I really liked this movie, but it is not my favorite horror movie. In the 70's there were some better horror movies: Carrie!
    But this movie should be in every top 10 horror movie list! A must see!
Metascore

Universal acclaim - based on 24 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 22 out of 24
  2. Negative: 0 out of 24
  1. Reviewed by: Robert Koehler
    90
    This edition of the seminal example of genre sensationalism refined by the cream of Hollywood craftsmanship is more complicated than a standard director's cut.
  2. A museum piece, something to be enjoyed for its historical value.
  3. The amazing thing about the film, for anyone who hasn't had an intentional Hollywood scare lately, is that it still delivers on the most visceral level