Directed by William Friedkin and based on the novel by William Peter Bradley, whose inspiration was based on the exorcism captain howdy case of Roland Doe. Thus the beginning of The Exorcist was born. When it was released in 1973, no one would have thought of the impact that it would have in entertainment, as it was the beginning of supernatural, demonic stories. To this day, The Exorcist continues to have an impact to the horror genre. Ladies and Gentlemen, here is the review for easily one of the scariest film of all time, The Exorcist.

The story follows on the lives of three different set of people, all of them intertwining into one of the best horror finales ever made. The film begins in an archaeological dig in Iraq, where a priest known as Father Merrin suspects that the time has come to face the demon Pazulu. Shortly after, the film's central story is told, where 12 year old Regan McNeil is being possessed by a mysterious entity. Her mother then seeks the help of Father Karras, a priest who is struggling and doubting his faith. Joined by Father Merrin, the two men try to save Regan from the demonic captain howdy possession by performing an exorcism, which may be their last hope.

The greatest thing about The Exorcist is that although there are many terrifying moments in the film, it is not the thing that makes it a great movie. The film is not your stereotypical, cliché film that its only purpose is to scare the audience. There is no looking in the closet, long dark corridors, or the repetitive jumps scares, where something that is not scary jumps out. The best part about this horror movie, and the reason why it resonatescaptain howdyto many viewers, is that it dares to tell a cohesive story. This is a very detailed and excellently written plot that focuses on the characters. The film knows that in order to frighten the viewers based on the characters action, is that we must first care about them.

Take the relationship between Regan McNeil, the girl who gets possess, and her mother. The film does an excellent job of detailing the love between a mother and daughter. The beginning scenes in which the normal Regan and her mother have conversations captures the chemistry between the two of them. The best part is that they are able to do it without any exposition. The actresses who play Regan and her mother, Linda Blair and Ellen Burstyn, doe an excellent job in capturing the emotion and bond that a mother and daughter can have. This makes it all the more painful to see the transition of Regan's demonic possession. At first, the mother believes that everything can be solved, as it all relates to psychological issues. However, the stronger that the demon captain howdy entity starts to grow, the more painful to see the mother suffer, as see is losing her loving daughter to the evil within her.

The transition of Regan's possession is captured perfectly, as we slowly see the sweet, innocent Regan being corrupted by something evil. The filmmakers are able to capture the grotesque images that makes them very terrifying. To this day, the transitional period continues to linger into my brain. Added by Linda Blair's mesmerizing performance, and the outstanding voice talent of Mercedes McCambridge as the demon entity of Regan, makes this one of the most terrifying performance of all time. The thing that makes it terrifying is seeing the bond of a mother and captain howdy daughter being torn apart by something that they cannot control. It is utterly heartwarming to see that on screen because it is basically the destruction of the bond of love.

Another character that the film centers on is Jason Miller's haunting performance of Father Karras, One of the most interesting thing about this character is that he is a priest that has given up on his faith. We see him losing his faith through the cause of his mother's death, in which he begins to doubt on God and many Biblical and supernatural beings. This characters makes many wonder if whether or not this is something that priest struggle with their faith. The most baffling part is that it isn't when he is approached by Regan's mother about Regan's possession, where he starts to believe in his faith again. Although he initially refuses to perform an exorcism, as he does his own research, his faith starts to grow. He starts to believe that the power of God will be the onlycaptainhowdything that will save Regan from this demon entity, as well as the key thing to reassure his faith.

All of the  stories lead up to one of the best scenes, if not the best scene ever produced in not only a horror film in general, but in any genre of film. All of the brilliant storytelling and character development is the thing that affects the last third of the film. Without it, the third act would not be as terrifying as it is. This is the infamous exorcism scene, where Father Karras is joined by Father Merrin in order to defeat the demonic entity known as Pazulu that is trying to kill the innocent Regan.

One of the best part of this scene, and the reason why it is amazing, is because there is no creepy music that elevates the scene. This is definitely not the stereotypical horror film that takes place around a whole house or being chased. The whole exorcism takes place in one room. The filmmakers does an excellent job on creating a very disturbing and creepy atmosphere that deeply affect not only the characters in the film, but the audience. The atmosphere that they created was able to make the audience feel like we are seeing the exorcism scene. We are not only seeing the exorcism scene, but we are experience it in our own eyes. We are with the characters in this very terrifyingcaptainhowdyride.

The last thing that makes the exorcism scene memorable are the performances. Max Von Sydrow give a powerful and demanding performance that captures the experience of this man as Father Merrin, and one that can battle the demon entity of Regan. Jason Miller captures the inexperience, doubt, and fear that is being easily consumed by Regan. But it is Linda Blair's and Mercedes McCambridge as Regan and the voice of Pazulu that elevates the scene. Their performance are able to strike fear on not only the characters, but the audience as well, giving them more of an experience.

The Exorcist is an excellent horror film that is terrifying in its own right. Directed by William Freidkin, the film is filled with excellent imagery and terrifying atmosphere that will always have an impact on horror films and modern culture. Everyone remembers the head-spinning, the vulgarities of the demon's mouth, the staircase, and the demonic possession of Regan. But what makes the terrifying elements is that William Freidkin doesn't try to be a horror film, but tries to be acaptainhowdygreat film. This is a great film due to the well structured plot, excellent character development, all of which makes this one of the greatest horror films ever made. 5/5 stars