The Exorcist

Saw this tonight for the very first time.

What an amazing film.

We watched the Director’s cut. And, what better thing to do, than watch it with my good friends - the Hammer House of Horror connoisseurs - Kevin and Errol.

For years I wouldn’t go anywhere near this film - why was that? Some primeval fear about things we can’t control; things that lie outside the confines of modern psychology?

Truth is, I’ve been building myself up to watch this all week. But, why on earth did I need to ‘build’ myself? Didn’t need to for The Conjuring or Insidious 2. Why has this film lodged so powerfully in our collective global psyche?

It really is an astonishing film. 1973? Come again…1973? Atmosphere, acting, special effects, intensity and…real…palpable…fear. Linda Blair was incredible. I mean…how on earth did she act that?

It’s a subject matter we don’t like to discuss. 

Taboo. 

Modern psychiatry places it emphasis on finding a biological cause for psychopathology, and there has been some progress in establishing the relationship between genetics, chemical imbalances, neuronal pathways and mental disorders. Evil spirits, fallen angels and demoniacs are sooooo sixteenth century.

But, are we so arrogant to think that we have the complete picture? Does science have all the answers? Is it possible that the supernatural  can play a part in our existence and - quite rightly - mess with our rigid, preconceived notions of how this world and universe should work?

My good friend, who regularly takes his anti-psychotic medication, is now living a more fulfilled life. He no longer hears ‘Chukker’ in his head. Hail to the drugs. Seriously.  Biological treatment has worked without treating the cause. But, that doesn’t matter to my friend, and quite rightly so.

But that’s Schizophrenia. 

What about the other ‘stuff’?

What about the case in Indianapolis (Jan 2014) where the boy walked backwards up the wall during an exorcism (witnessed and attested by police officers, a social worker and a psychologist).

What on earth?  

Or to be more accurately rephrased: What not of this earth?

I’m so glad I watched this film, and I’m still not quite sure about what it is that’s impacted me so deeply about it. Is it a girl under deep distress? Is the possibility of true evil? I’m hoping the answers will come in the next week.

The Exorcist makes my TOP 5 films of all time, and without any doubt, is the best Horror movie that has ever been made. Go watch it, or go watch it again.

Peace and sweet dreams

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