Watch The Exorcist: Believer

"The Exorcist: Believer" (2023) is an eerie continuation of the iconic Exorcist narrative, delving into a fresh tale of demonic possession, albeit with a nostalgic touch to its precursor, "The Exorcist" (1973). Directed by David Gordon Green, who also co-wrote the screenplay with Peter Sattler, this film is billed as the sixth installment in the franchise, blending horror with a mystery-thriller aura over a runtime of 1 hour and 51 minutes​​.

The haunting narrative unfolds in Haiti, where a newlywed photographer, Victor Fielding, experiences a life-altering tragedy. A catastrophic earthquake severely injures his pregnant wife, Sorenne, compelling a heart-wrenching decision to save either his wife or their unborn child, Angela. Fast-forward thirteen years, a faith-lost Victor, now a single father in Georgia, faces a mystifying ordeal when Angela and her friend Katherine vanish post-school into the woods, attempting to perform a séance to communicate with Angela's deceased mother​.

Their disappearance sparks a frantic three-day search, culminating in a bewildering find in a barn; the girls, though traumatized with peculiar burns on their feet, seem relatively unharmed. However, a sinister reality unfolds as Angela starts exhibiting violent, convulsive behavior, while Katherine disrupts a church service with an eerie outburst, hinting at a malevolent possession that's taken hold of them. Their worsening conditions, marked by escalating burns, drive Victor into a desperate quest for a remedy, guided by a memoir from Chris MacNeil, who endured a similar ordeal with her daughter, Regan, in 1973​​.

Victor's pursuit leads him to Chris, whose expertise in exorcism propels them into a perilous confrontation with the dark forces tormenting the girls. The harrowing narrative unfolds as Chris, Victor, and a group of ecclesiastical figures from diverse cultural backgrounds venture into an ecumenical exorcism, defying the skepticism of the local Catholic diocese. Their collective endeavor symbolizes a fusion of faiths against the backdrop of menacing evil, entwined with a quest for redemption and a fight against an unseen, diabolical adversary​​.

The film further explores the psychological and spiritual tumult embroiling the characters, portraying a vivid dichotomy of faith and skepticism amid a chilling atmosphere of fear and uncertainty. Notably, the film reintroduces characters from the original "The Exorcist," building a narrative bridge to the past while introducing a new, eerie chapter of demonic confrontations and exorcism lore. Despite a rich narrative, critics felt the film lacked fresh ideas and scares, reflecting a mixed reception with an IMDb rating of 5.0/10, yet its box office performance grossed over $109 million, indicating a resonating appeal to horror aficionados and franchise loyalists​.

"The Exorcist: Believer" not only pays homage to its iconic predecessor but also ventures into a modern-day tale of fear, faith, and the perennial battle between good and evil, offering a riveting yet terrifying cinematic experience.

The Exorcist: Believer is a 2023 horror movie with a runtime of 2 hours and 1 minute. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 4.8 and a MetaScore of 39.