Lidya Jewett in “The Exorcist: Believer” —UNIVERSAL PICTURES INTERNATIONAL
Fifty years ago, “The Exorcist”—dubbed by some as “the most terrifying horror film in history”—landed on the big screen and shocked audiences around the world. From the veins of the original film comes “The Exorcist: Believer,” a new chapter of the horror franchise that will once again shock today’s viewers to the core. The film is produced by Blumhouse and helmed by David Gordon Green, the team known for resurrecting the hit “Halloween” franchise.
In the film, two teenage girls, Angela (Lidya Jewett) and Katherine (Olivia O’Neill), face grave danger when they are possessed by a Mesopotamian demon called Lamashtu. This happens after they set foot into the woods one afternoon on a school day and unknowingly brings home something evil with them.
Tw0 families vs demon
Victor Fielding (Leslie Odom Jr.) is Angela’s dad, who lost his wife in a Haiti earthquake while being pregnant with Angela. Since then, Victor devoted his life raising Angela on his own. Meanwhile, Katherine’s parents, Miranda (Jennifer Nettles) and Tony (Norberto Leo Butz), are devout Christians with unshakeable faith who are pillars of their church.
With totally different backgrounds, the two families soon find themselves facing off with the demon to save the girls’ lives.
For Green, the film allowed him to investigate a long-held interest. “I’ve grown up with a fascination of religions of all sorts,” Green says. “When I see a movie that has a religious theme, I’ll often research or read more about it.”
Although the 1973 film relied primarily on a Catholic interpretation of possession, “The Exorcist: Believer” examines it from the perspective of multiple faiths.
From Universal Pictures International, “The Exorcist: Believer” opens on Oct. 4 and will have midnight screenings (beginning 12:01 a.m.) in major cinemas on opening day.