Year: 1973
Runtime: 122 min
Language: English
Director: William Friedkin
Budget: $11M
When a young girl begins exhibiting disturbing symptoms that doctors cannot explain, her desperate family turns to religion for help. A local priest believes the girl is being tormented by a demonic presence and requests an exorcism. He then calls upon an experienced exorcist from the church to assist in the dangerous and harrowing ritual, leading to a terrifying battle between faith and an unseen evil.
Get a spoiler-free look at The Exorcist (1973) with a clear plot overview that covers the setting, main characters, and story premise—without revealing key twists or the ending. Perfect for deciding if this film is your next watch.
In the leafy, upscale streets of Georgetown, an ordinary household is slowly eclipsed by an unsettling presence that refuses to be explained by science or comfort. The film opens with a quiet, almost reverent atmosphere that slowly tightens, letting shadows linger just beyond the familiar glow of domestic life. A sense of dread builds not through overt horror, but through the lingering feeling that something unseen is watching, waiting, and stirring unease in every creak and whispered sigh.
Chris MacNeil is a successful actress accustomed to the bright lights of the screen, yet at home she faces a far more private performance—caring for her twelve‑year‑old daughter, Regan, whose once‑cheerful demeanor begins to shift into something puzzling and frightening. Their elegant home, filled with the routine of daily life and the occasional glamorous gathering, becomes a stage where ordinary concerns give way to strange noises, inexplicable behavior, and a growing sense of helplessness that gnaws at the edges of Chris’s rational world.
When the inexplicable becomes too much to ignore, the family turns to the church, where Father Damien Karras, a priest grappling with his own crises of faith and a background in psychology, steps into the picture. He is a man torn between doubt and duty, his skepticism tested by the mounting evidence of an unseen force. Across the world, Father Lancaster Merrin—a weathered, seasoned exorcist whose past has taken him through ancient ruins and ominous omens—prepares to confront whatever darkness may be haunting the MacNeil household.
The film’s tone balances a cold, methodical dread with moments of intimate human drama, inviting the audience to linger in the uneasy space between belief and terror. As the story unfolds, the clash between faith, curiosity, and the unknown promises a gripping exploration of what lies beneath the veneer of everyday life.
Last Updated: August 10, 2025 at 14:16
Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.
When logic fails, desperate characters confront a terrifying supernatural force.If you like The Exorcist, you'll appreciate these movies that follow a similar path from rational inquiry to supernatural dread. They feature stories where characters, often professionals or skeptics, are drawn into a terrifying mystery that defies all logic.
The narrative typically follows a structured investigation, moving from initial skepticism and rational inquiry through mounting evidence of the supernatural, culminating in a direct and dangerous confrontation with the evil force, often requiring a great personal sacrifice.
Movies are grouped here for their shared structure of investigating an inexplicable evil, the progression from skepticism to belief, and the high-stakes, faith-testing confrontation that forms the core of the story.
A slow, crushing descent into fear and sacrifice for a loved one.Fans of The Exorcist's heavy emotional weight will find similar stories here. These movies explore the depths of desperation a character endures, often a parent or guardian, when faced with an insurmountable threat to a loved one, leading to a bittersweet or costly victory.
The emotional journey follows a protagonist, typically a parent or guardian, as they exhaust every option to save a loved one from a terrifying fate. The story charts their growing desperation, the sacrifice of their own well-being, and the profound, often tragic, cost of their love.
These films are connected by their intense focus on the emotional descent of a protector figure, the theme of sacrificial love, and the heavy, often somber, mood that comes from a victory paid for with profound loss.
Don't stop at just watching — explore The Exorcist in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what The Exorcist is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.
Read a complete plot summary of The Exorcist, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.
Track the full timeline of The Exorcist with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.
Discover the characters, locations, and core themes that shape The Exorcist. Get insights into symbolic elements, setting significance, and deeper narrative meaning — ideal for thematic analysis and movie breakdowns.
Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about The Exorcist: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.
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