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My Best Friend's Exorcism (2022) movie poster

Plot Summary

My Best Friend's Exorcism (2022) Plot Summary & Ending Explained

Release, runtime and language
2022 · 97 min · English
Echo score 30
JustWatch #18,192 5
Directed by
Damon Thomas
Starring
Elsie Fisher, Cathy Ang, Nathan Anderson, Erin Ownbey, Amiah Miller, Chris Lowell

In 1988, the close friendship of Abby and Gretchen is challenged when Gretchen begins to exhibit disturbing behavior. As they grapple with the complexities of teenage life, love, and the trends of the era, Abby discovers a demonic force has taken hold of her best friend. Determined to save Gretchen, Abby seeks help from an unusual exorcist, embarking on a desperate fight against evil and struggling to maintain their bond amidst the escalating supernatural threat.

On this page (8)
  1. 1 Where to watch
  2. 2 What happens: full plot
  3. 3 Plot questions answered
  4. 4 How it ends
  5. 5 The book behind the movie
  6. 6 Movie threads
  7. 7 Movies like My Best Friend's Exorcism
  8. 8 Every angle

Where to watch

Where to Watch My Best Friend's Exorcism (2022)

Where can you watch My Best Friend's Exorcism? Stream, rent or buy it in the US, including on Amazon Prime Video and Amazon Prime Video Free: current JustWatch availability with up-to-date prices.

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Full plot summary · contains spoilers

What Happens in My Best Friend's Exorcism: Full Plot Summary

The whole story of My Best Friend's Exorcism (2022) explained, from the opening scene to the final frame: every key event, every twist and what it all adds up to. Read it as a quick recap before the sequel, to check a scene you missed, or to finally understand what really happened.

Teenage best friends Abby Rivers and Gretchen Lang embark on an adventurous sleepover at Margaret Chisholm's lake house, alongside their classmate Glee Tanaka. This seemingly innocent gathering quickly takes a dark turn as they play with a Ouija board and inadvertently conjure an evil spirit. The atmosphere intensifies when Margaret's boyfriend Wallace Stoney joins them, leading the group to share the experience of taking LSD.

While under the influence, Abby and Gretchen explore the eerie abandoned building nearby, only to encounter several chilling events, culminating in a frightening attack on Gretchen by a supernatural force. Observing the peculiar change in Gretchen's behavior, Abby becomes increasingly alarmed, especially when she catches the eye of Christian Lemon, a fitness influencer who seems disturbed by Gretchen’s state.

As Gretchen spirals further out of control—exhibiting odd behaviors such as projectile vomiting on Wallace and indiscretely using the restroom—she confides in Abby about her traumatic experience at the lake house, claiming a persistent haunting. Abby, interpreting this as a sexual assault, seeks help from Gretchen's parents and school authorities like Sister Kathleen and Brother Morgan, but her concerns are dismissed, leaving her feeling powerless.

Determined to uncover the truth, Abby returns to the haunted house and discovers the name Andras inscribed on a wall. This revelation puts her at odds with her friends—Glee and Margaret—as her accusations against Wallace lead to tension and violence, including a physical confrontation with him. Gretchen, feeling betrayed, distances herself from Abby, leading to a public humiliation that culminates in Abby severing their friendship.

Despite the estrangement, Gretchen's unsettling transformation into a more popular and manipulative figure causes chaos among their peers. She preys upon Margaret’s insecurities and initiates schemes that threaten Glee’s health, even going so far as to use poisons against them. Meanwhile, Abby tries to unveil the truth about Gretchen’s possession, finding more clues in her belongings.

An alarming visit to Margaret reveals how dangerously ill she has become due to Gretchen’s actions. Desperate for a solution, Abby seeks aid from Christian, who acknowledges that Gretchen is indeed possessed and offers to perform an exorcism.

In a climactic confrontation, Abby leads Gretchen to the lake house where the exorcism is initiated. However, when the demon materializes as Christian’s mother, he panics and flees. With fierce determination, Abby resorts to stabbing Gretchen in an attempt to banish the demon. A battle ensues as Abby carries out a makeshift exorcism, ultimately resulting in the destruction of the malevolent entity.

Weeks later, even though Gretchen relocates to start anew, her friendship with Abby remains untouched, as they continue their annual trips back to the lake house—sharing the bonds of friendship forged through such harrowing experiences.

Last updated: November 03, 2024 at 12:20

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Plot questions answered

My Best Friend's Exorcism Plot Explained: Your Questions Answered

The questions people ask most about My Best Friend's Exorcism (2022): what happens in the confusing scenes, why the characters do what they do, the twists, hidden details and what the ending means. Each answer contains spoilers.

Q1

Why does Gretchen change after the lake house?

Gretchen undergoes a dramatic personality shift because she becomes possessed by a demon named Andras after the group plays with a Ouija board and explores an abandoned building while under the influence of LSD. The demon's presence causes her to exhibit erratic behavior, including violent outbursts, manipulative tendencies, and physical symptoms like projectile vomiting. Her transformation into a cruel and calculating person is directly tied to the supernatural possession, not her own choices.

Foreshadowing: The attack by a supernatural force in the abandoned building directly precedes Gretchen's behavioral changes.

  • gretchen possession
  • demon behavior change
  • lake house
  • abandoned building
Q2

How did the Ouija board summon the demon?

The friends unknowingly summon the demon when they use the Ouija board during their sleepover at Margaret's lake house. While under the influence of LSD, Abby and Gretchen venture into an abandoned building where they encounter the evil spirit, which then attaches itself to Gretchen. The Ouija board serves as the gateway, but it's their drugging and exploration of the building that allows the demon to choose Gretchen as its host.

Foreshadowing: The Ouija board session is the first supernatural event that sets the chain of possession in motion.

  • ouija board
  • summoning
  • demon
  • possession
  • abandoned building
  • lake house
Q3

Why does Abby think Gretchen was sexually assaulted?

Abby initially believes Gretchen was sexually assaulted because she doesn't yet understand that her friend is actually possessed by a demon. When Gretchen confides about the traumatic experience at the lake house and describes the frightening attack she suffered in the abandoned building, Abby interprets these disturbing events through the lens of sexual violence. This misdirection causes Abby to seek help from Gretchen's parents and school authorities, leading to her accusations against Wallace.

Foreshadowing: Abby's misinterpretation of the attack leads her to confront Wallace and make accusations that strain her friendships.

  • abby
  • assault
  • misunderstanding
  • wallace
  • accusation
Q4

Who is Christian and how does he perform an exorcism?

Christian Lemon is a fitness influencer who recognizes that Gretchen is possessed by a demon when he sees her. Unlike the adults and other students, Christian has knowledge of supernatural phenomena and agrees to perform an exorcism on Gretchen at the lake house where the possession began. His ability to identify and attempt to combat the demon suggests he has personal experience or knowledge of such entities, though his motivations remain somewhat mysterious.

Foreshadowing: Christian's disturbed reaction to Gretchen early in the film hints at his awareness of demonic presence.

  • christian lemon
  • exorcism
  • fitness influencer
  • possessed
  • lake house
Q5

What happens during the exorcism at the lake house?

During the exorcism at Margaret's lake house, Christian attempts to rid Gretchen of the demon Andras. However, when the demon manifests and reveals itself as Christian's own mother, he panics and flees the scene, abandoning Abby to confront the evil alone. This leaves Abby to finish the exorcism by herself in a desperate physical confrontation with Gretchen.

Foreshadowing: Christian's earlier disturbance at Gretchen's presence foreshadows his personal connection to demonic entities.

  • exorcism
  • lake house
  • christian mother
  • demon
  • flee
  • confrontation
Q6

Why does Abby stab Gretchen during the exorcism?

Abby stabs Gretchen as a desperate measure to expel the demon when Christian abandons the exorcism. With no other options available, Abby resorts to this violent act believing it is necessary to destroy the demonic entity possessing her friend. The stabbing represents the physical and emotional toll of the battle against evil, and it ultimately succeeds in banishing the demon, though it leaves Gretchen physically injured.

Foreshadowing: The desperation of the situation, with Christian fleeing, sets up Abby's extreme decision to use violence against her possessed friend.

  • abby stabbing
  • exorcism
  • violence
  • demon banishment
  • desperate act
Q7

What is Andras and why does it want Gretchen?

Andras is the name of the demon that possesses Gretchen. Abby discovers the name inscribed on a wall in the abandoned building where Gretchen was first attacked. The demon targets Gretchen specifically, likely because she was vulnerable during the LSD experience and the Ouija board session, making her an accessible host for the supernatural entity.

Foreshadowing: The discovery of Andras's name gives Abby the key information she needs to understand and eventually combat the demonic presence.

  • andras
  • demon
  • name
  • possession
  • abandoned building
  • wall inscription
Q8

How does Abby defeat the demon possession?

Abby defeats the demon through a combination of confronting it at the lake house where it was summoned and physically attacking Gretchen when the exorcism fails. After Christian flees, Abby's improvised assault on Gretchen's body proves effective in driving out the entity. The demon is ultimately destroyed, freeing Gretchen from its grip, though the victory comes at the cost of violence and trauma.

Foreshadowing: The climactic battle at the lake house where everything began serves as the ultimate confrontation with the evil force.

  • demon defeated
  • exorcism
  • battle
  • abby
  • possession broken
  • lake house
Q9

Why doesn't anyone believe Abby about Gretchen?

Adults and authority figures dismiss Abby's concerns because her description of Gretchen's behavior and the alleged attack sounds like teenage drama or fabrication. When Abby tries to explain that Gretchen is possessed by a demon, her claims sound impossible and hysterical to adults like Sister Kathleen and Brother Morgan at school, as well as Gretchen's parents. Without evidence of supernatural activity, they attribute Gretchen's changes to typical teenage behavior or possible substance abuse.

Foreshadowing: Abby's failed attempts to get help from adults establish the isolation she faces in combating the demonic threat.

  • adults
  • disbelief
  • authority
  • sister kathleen
  • brother morgan
  • parents
Q10

Do Abby and Gretchen stay friends after the exorcism?

Yes, Abby and Gretchen remain best friends despite the traumatic events. Even though Gretchen must relocate to start fresh after the possession, their bond survives the ordeal. The film ends with them continuing their annual tradition of returning to the lake house together, demonstrating that their friendship was ultimately strengthened by surviving the demonic threat together.

Foreshadowing: The film's closing scenes confirm that the friendship endures despite the physical separation and trauma they experienced.

  • friendship
  • reunion
  • relocation
  • annual trip
  • lake house
  • bond
Q11

Why does Gretchen target her own friends after being possessed?

Once possessed by Andras, Gretchen systematically targets her friends, particularly Margaret and Glee, as part of the demon's malicious influence. She exploits Margaret's insecurities and poisons Glee, demonstrating the corrupting nature of demonic possession. These cruel actions are not Gretchen's own choices but rather the demon using her body to spread harm to those around her, including those she once loved.

Foreshadowing: Gretchen's transformation into a manipulative bully directly follows her possession and escalates the danger to everyone around her.

  • gretchen attacks friends
  • margaret
  • glee
  • poison
  • manipulation
  • demon influence

Ending explained

What Happens at the End of My Best Friend's Exorcism?

How My Best Friend's Exorcism (2022) ends, in short: the final scene, the last twist and what it means for the characters. The full ending explained, with every spoiler, lives on its own page.

Read the full ending explained

In the climax of the film, Abby manages to perform a makeshift exorcism on Gretchen, who has been possessed by the powerful demon Andras. This demon, which is one of the highest-ranking in Hell, has taken control of Gretchen and turned her against her friends, sabotaging their lives and causing chaos. Abby, with some improvisation involving perfume and alcohol to create a fiery burn, confronts the demon in a final showdown. Despite the chaotic and less-than-professional attempt, the exorcism succeeds in banishing the demon back to hell, freeing Gretchen from its grip. Afterwards, Gretchen begins a new chapter in her life, leaving the haunted memories behind and reconnecting with her friends. Although the film hints at some lingering doubts about the strength of their battle, ultimately, the demon is defeated through Abby’s brave but imperfect effort. Gretchen, now demon-free, can move forward, and her friendship with Abby remains strong, symbolizing the endurance of true friendship even through supernatural ordeals. The ending underscores that even in chaos and mistakes, courage and loyalty can triumph over darkness.}

My Best Friend's Exorcism ending explained in full

Movie threads

More Movies Like My Best Friend's Exorcism, by Mood & Story

Curated lists built around what makes My Best Friend's Exorcism tick: the same mood, the same kind of story or the same emotional payoff. Each list explains why these movies belong together.

Movies about friendship battling evil like My Best Friend's Exorcism

Stories where the bond between friends is a weapon against a terrifying force. If you liked seeing Abby fight for Gretchen in My Best Friend's Exorcism, you'll find similar stories here. These movies feature loyal friends facing down demons, monsters, or supernatural threats, where the emotional core is the survival of their bond amidst the horror.

  • desperate
  • tense
  • loyal
  • frantic
  • anxious
  • traumatic
  • Tone: dark, desperate
  • Pacing: fast, escalating
Why these movies?

The story pattern: These narratives typically begin with a strong, established friendship that is shattered by an external, often supernatural, incursion. The plot follows the protagonist's desperate journey to save their friend, encountering skepticism and danger, culminating in a high-stakes confrontation where love and loyalty are the ultimate weapons.

Why they belong together: Movies are grouped here because they share a specific emotional core: the theme of unconditional friendship as a source of strength in the face of overwhelming horror. They blend heavy emotional weight with high-intensity thrills, focusing on the characters' emotional journey as much as the supernatural plot.

Fast-paced 80s-style horror movies like My Best Friend's Exorcism

Fast-paced horror stories steeped in nostalgic settings but driven by relentless dread. Fans of the frantic, nostalgic horror in My Best Friend's Exorcism will enjoy this selection. These are high-tension thrillers and horror films that evoke a specific retro era, often the 80s, combining coming-of-age elements with a fast, desperate pace and disturbing themes.

  • frantic
  • anxious
  • nostalgic
  • disturbing
  • tense
  • gritty
  • Tone: dark, gritty, nostalgic
  • Pacing: fast, relentless
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative pattern involves a quick descent from normalcy into chaos, with little time for characters or the audience to breathe. The period setting provides a layer of recognizability and comfort that is systematically dismantled by a sudden, violent supernatural or psychological threat that accelerates towards a brutal climax.

Why they belong together: These films are grouped by their unique blend of a distinct nostalgic aesthetic and a consistently fast, high-anxiety pacing. They deliver a specific viewing experience: a comforting sense of familiarity quickly overwritten by frantic, gritty, and disturbing horror action.

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Every angle

My Best Friend's Exorcism (2022) Explained: Plot, Ending, Timeline & Characters

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