“The Exorcist” is one of the most iconic horror films of the 20th century. Undoubtedly, it’s a movie that left a lasting impact on the genre and paved the way for a slew of films directly inspired by its legacy. However, it had been a long time since a direct sequel to “The Exorcist” was made… until now.
“The Exorcist: Believer” has just been released as a film that serves as a direct sequel to the original movie. However, it doesn’t just delve into the world of “The Exorcist” but also goes further with its execution, filled with references that catch the attention of those who have seen the original film. Below, we present some of the most striking references.
The same characters
One of the key aspects of ‘The Exorcist: Believer’ is that it brings back the characters from William Friedkin’s original film. Linda Blair, the possessed girl from the original movie, returns as an exorcism expert after writing a book and making various television appearances. But she’s not the only one who reappears in the film.
‘The Exorcist: Believer’ also brings back Ellen Burstyn, reprising her role as Chris McNeil, the mother of the exorcized girl. How did they manage to get her to accept the role? She herself recounts, ‘I received many offers to star in a new installment of The Exorcist, and I always said no. This time they offered me a lot of money, and still, I said no. Then they told me they would double the offer, and that’s when I said I would think about it.’
The same soundtrack
Of course, a film in ‘The Exorcist’ series wouldn’t be the same without the wonderful soundtrack by British composer Mike Oldfield. For ‘The Exorcist: Believer,’ a new version of the original melody has been created to adapt it to modern times without losing any of its impact.
Repeated sequences
But where we see the strongest connection between both films is in the direction. David Gordon Green, a devoted admirer of Friedkin, has used direct shots and similar sequences from the original movie to recreate the experience. While sometimes they are just nods, they undoubtedly serve as a wonderful gift for fans of the original feature.
