The Exorcist

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Overall episode#171Source sheet order

Movie year19731970s

Tomatometer78%Critics’ score

Metacritic83View score

Roger Ebert4/4Original star rating

DirectorWilliam FriedkinHorror / Thriller

FROM THE CONVERSATION

What they said about the movie

The episode argues that The Exorcist is the first modern scary movie: a shockingly real, hugely influential, word-of-mouth phenomenon that still holds up because it takes its horror completely seriously. The hosts frame it as a turning point for horror, ratings culture, pop culture, and 1970s filmmaking more broadly.

Based only on this episode’s transcriptTimes approximateSome speakers unidentifiedExplore the connections

In this conversation

Sean Fennessey

Chris Ryan

WHY IT WORKS

What made it rewatchable

01It creates fear through realism rather than fantasy, making the horror feel believable and contemporary. Opening minutes
02The first 10 minutes in Iraq work as a strong table-setting prologue that adds to Marin's mythology. About 48 min
03The film contains iconic shock scenes that still land, especially Reagan's outbursts and the exorcism itself. About 32 min
04The craft remains impressive, especially the sound design, lighting, makeup, and framing of key scenes. About 40 min
05Its pop-culture footprint makes rewatching rewarding because so many jokes, references, and parodies trace back here. About 16 min

WHAT DID NOT WORK

Their main criticisms

minorThe first 10 minutes are slow and may test modern viewers. Opening minutes
minorSome special effects feel dated by modern standards. Opening minutes
moderatePauline Kael's critique was that the movie felt phony and emotionally unconvincing. About 24 min
moderateExorcist II is described as a notorious failure and worst-aging sequel entry. About 48 min

SCENES THEY KEPT COMING BACK TO

Standout moments

positive

Iraq prologue / Marin's quest

The opening in Iraq establishes Marin as a seasoned, serious exorcist and gives the film its mythic frame.

Opening minutes

Favorite

Reagan at the party

Reagan publicly urinates after warning the astronaut, showing the movie's mix of shock and dark humor.

About 32 min

Favorite

Reagan's first possession outburst

The child suddenly starts swearing and behaving violently, signaling the film's escalation.

About 32 min

Favorite

Crucifix scene

The bedroom crucifix sequence is treated as the movie's biggest scare and one of its most shocking moments.

About 32 min

Favorite

Detective visits Chris McNeil

The detective's understated explanation of Burke's death plays as one of the film's best acted scenes.

About 32 min

Favorite

Final exorcism

The climactic exorcism is described as relentless, exhausting, and one of the best final stretches in horror.

About 40 min

WHERE THEY DISAGREED

The biggest debates

They partly agreed Opening minutes

Does the opening Iraq prologue belong in the film?

Speaker not identified
Thinks it starts oddly and may not be necessary, though it still works.

Sean Fennessey
Believes it is a purposeful table-setter that adds realism and mythic scale.

They partly agreed About 24 min

Is the ending neatly wrapped up or ambiguous?

Sean Fennessey
Argues Pauline Kael misread it; the film remains ambiguous about the demon and Karras.

Speaker not identified
Suggests the movie could be seen as a more straightforward resolution before Sean pushes back.

They agreed About 8 min

Which 1970s films defined modern movies?

Speaker not identified
Builds a list of 1972-1977 movies that became templates for later genres.

Sean Fennessey
Adds that the decade's biggest movies were also the most influential and laments the era's end.

They agreed About 48 min

Who should have played Karras or Chris McNeil?

Speaker not identified
Walks through alternate casting such as Pacino, Stacy Keach, and Jane Fonda.

Sean Fennessey
Insists the chosen casting is better and that famous stars would have made the movie less effective.

19 People discussedActors, directors, writers, and producers

very favorableWilliam FriedkinSean Fennessey: Praised as a genius, documentary-like stylist, and apex-mountain director whose film made his reputation. Opening minutes

favorableWilliam Peter BlattyChris Ryan: Credited with insisting on the prologue and describing the movie as making audiences feel alive. About 16 min

favorableLinda BlairDiscussed as an iconic child star whose performance and image became deeply embedded in pop culture, though her later life was rough. About 8 min

very favorableEllen BurstynSean Fennessey: Praised for naturalistic, emotionally precise work, especially in her scene with the detective. About 32 min very favorableJason MillerSean Fennessey: Celebrated as the ideal choice for Karras, bringing the right seriousness and non-famous quality. About 40 min favorableMax von SydowChris Ryan: Admired for his aged, iconic presence and the unforgettable entrance that matches the poster image. About 40 min

favorableMercedes McCambridgePraised for the demon voice performance and the extreme process used to create it. About 56 min

favorableRoger EbertCited as one of the critics who gave the movie four stars and liked it. About 24 min criticalPauline KaelSean Fennessey: Referenced as the famous negative reviewer who thought the film was phony and emotionally manipulative. About 24 min

favorableLee J. CobbChris Ryan: Praised for his detective scenes, especially the subtle conversation with Ellen Burstyn. About 32 min

mixedStacy KeachMentioned as an early casting possibility for Karras who would have been a notable alternative. About 48 min · medium confidence

neutralAudrey HepburnNamed as an early casting possibility for Chris McNeil. About 48 min · medium confidence

neutralJane FondaDiscussed as a casting option who rejected the movie harshly. About 48 min

neutralShirley MacLaineMentioned as another rejected candidate who later regretted passing on the role. About 48 min

neutralMarlon BrandoDiscussed as a rejected casting option for Marin that Friedkin feared would overpower the film. About 48 min favorableAl PacinoMentioned as a possible Karras who would have made the role fascinating. About 56 min neutralPaul SchraderReferenced in connection with later Friedkin work and a general discussion of uneven filmographies. About 1:12 · medium confidence neutralGeorge C. ScottReferenced as the star of Exorcist III during a brief tangent. About 1:04 · medium confidence

criticalRick SpringfieldMentioned in a discussion of Linda Blair's teenage dating history, which the hosts treat as uncomfortable. About 1:04

10 Conversation takesSpeakers shown only where the transcript identifies them

Sean FennesseyLoved it

Calls it the scariest movie ever made because it treats its horror as real.

Opening minutes

Chris RyanLoved it

The Exorcist

Says it still holds up and becomes especially effective once you accept it as horror, not just spectacle.

Opening minutes

Sean FennesseyLoved it

Friedkin's documentary-style direction

Praises Friedkin for shooting genre films like documentaries, making the impossible feel real.

Opening minutes

Chris RyanLoved it

The first possession outburst

Describes Reagan's sudden profanity and escalation as deeply unsettling and effective.

About 32 min

Speaker not identifiedLoved it

The detective interview with Chris McNeil

Highlights the scene as Ellen Burstyn's best performance moment.

About 32 min

Sean FennesseyLiked it

The opening Iraq prologue

Argues the prologue is a deliberate table-setter that gives the film scope and mythology.

About 48 min

Chris RyanLoved it

Sound design

Says the sound mix aged best and constantly makes viewers uneasy.

About 40 min

Chris RyanLoved it

Makeup and effects

Admires how the makeup and creature work still feel effective even when you can see the seams.

About 40 min

Speaker not identifiedLoved it

The final exorcism

Treats the final 20 minutes as a relentless, all-time horror payoff.

About 40 min

Sean FennesseyLoved it

William Friedkin

Says Friedkin's career is hard to overrate even if The Exorcist set a bar that complicated his legacy.

About 1:12

5 ThemesThe larger ideas in the discussion

Realism as horror

The film scares by making impossible events feel like documentary reality.

Opening minutes

1970s movie revolution

The episode places The Exorcist inside a run of defining 1970s films that established modern templates across genres.

About 8 min

Word-of-mouth cultural event

The movie became a must-see phenomenon because people felt left out if they had not experienced it.

About 16 min

Faith versus evil

The film is treated as a serious crisis-of-faith story, not just a possession movie.

About 16 min

Craft and intentionality

Nearly every choice is presented as meticulously designed, from lighting and sound to casting and makeup.

About 40 min

25 Facts and referencesProduction notes and other movies mentioned

Production note

The film made about $441 million on a $12 million budget.

About 32 min

Production note

It received 10 Oscar nominations and won for adapted screenplay and sound.

About 32 min

Production note

Mercedes McCambridge altered her voice using raw eggs, chain smoking, and whiskey.

About 56 min

Production note

William Friedkin used extremely aggressive directing tactics, including firing blanks and slapping actors.

About 56 min

Production note

The Exorcist Steps in Georgetown became a tourist attraction.

About 48 min

Production note

The film's opening prologue was reportedly filmed in Iraq to establish Marin's mission and the reach of evil.

About 48 min

Production note

Friedkin considered several major stars for the leads, but the final cast was chosen to avoid overpowering the story.

About 48 min

Production note

Exorcist III is summarized as featuring Karras's body and the Gemini killer in a very different sequel setup.

About 1:04

Mentioned with uncertainty

The host jokes that a 'Toyota Pazuzu' was released in 1975.

About 48 min · low confidence

Production note

Linda Blair dated Rick Springfield when she was 15, which the hosts discuss as uncomfortable.

About 1:04

Rosemary's Baby

Compared unfavorably for feeling more dated than The Exorcist.

Opening minutes

The French Connection

Cited as Friedkin's documentary-like precursor and a model of tense realism.

Opening minutes

Jaws

Used as another proto-modern blockbuster and as a comparison for apex-level influence.

About 8 min

Godfather

Part of the 1970s blueprint run that defined modern cinema.

About 8 min

Star Wars

Mentioned as a film that expanded the idea of movie universes and merchandise.

About 16 min

Close Encounters of the Third Kind

Included in the 1977 wave of influential movies.

About 8 min

The Conjuring

Used as a modern horror comparison whose artificiality makes The Exorcist seem more real.

Opening minutes

Halloween

Cited as an early horror film influenced by The Exorcist's buildup of everyday realism.

Opening minutes

The Sting

Discussed as the Best Picture winner in a stacked Oscar year and a same-day release rival.

About 32 min

Midnight Cowboy

Referenced in the discussion of rating-system oddities and X ratings.

About 32 min

SNL Exorcist parody

Mentioned as an iconic Richard Pryor sketch that helped spread the movie's phrases.

About 8 min

Fear of God

A making-of documentary mentioned by Chris Ryan as a source for Blatty's quoted comments.

About 16 min

The Big Picture

Referenced when the hosts say Sean can be heard there and are cross-promoting network podcasts.

Opening minutes · medium confidence

The Watch

Referenced as another Ringer podcast in the intro/outro network cross-promo.

Opening minutes · medium confidence

Taxi Driver

Mentioned in the larger 1970s influence discussion and again as a role Jason Miller later declined.

About 8 min

10 Running jokes and short linesRecurring bits captured from the conversation

Pazuzu jokes

The hosts repeatedly joke about Pazuzu as a mobile, terrifying demon and riff on his name, travel, and dating history.

About 8 min

Priest month

Bill jokes that priest-centric movies are in season for the show, tying into the film's Catholic themes.

About 1:04

Sean's craft enthusiasm

Bill teases Sean for loving craft categories like sound design, lighting, and makeup.

About 40 min

Split pea soup / Exorcist imagery

The movie's vomiting and possession imagery becomes a joke source for real-life references.

About 16 min

Eight Millimeter / Friedkin future projects

The conversation veers into future Rewatchables prospects like Cruising, Jade, and Eight Millimeter.

About 1:12 · medium confidence

Speaker not identified

“Your mother sucks cocks in hell”

Opening minutes

Chris Ryan

“It still very much holds up”

Opening minutes

Sean Fennessey

“I think it's the scariest movie ever made”

Opening minutes

Speaker not identified

“The power of Christ compels you”

About 32 min

Speaker not identified

“It's Jaws before Jaws”

About 16 min

MAKE IT A MOVIE NIGHT

Where to watch

UNITED STATES

Checking where The Exorcist is available…

WHAT TO WATCH NEXT

Movies to watch before and after.

Three movies to watch before The Exorcist, and three to watch next.

Finding six movies…Three to watch first and three to watch next.

ON THE MIC

3 voices on this episode

Bill SimmonsThe Rewatchables

Chris RyanThe Rewatchables

Sean FennesseyThe Rewatchables

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