Exorcisms in Movies

pkuchnicki

pkuchnicki

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Location
St. Louis
Saw a really good and creative version of the exorcism movie type. The movie is titled, The Exorcism of God ) played on Amazon Prime (not sure where else). I have been a fan of this movie genre for years and thought the 1973 version, The Exorcist, was one of the best ever. Last night's viewing added a creative new thread (the exorcist must be without sin - guess that explains why there are no or so few) and the exorcist must also have done all the penance required to be absolved of their sin). Otherwise, the demon comes back as powerful as ever. If they are sinless or haven't done their penance, the demon can come back and exorcise God from the human.

This movie really has some creative elements and provides great entertainment. I personally don't find these types of shows to be the least bit scary. In fact, thinking back, I believe the first and only time I was ever scared by a movie was when my parents took me to see Creature from the Black Lagoon, my first ever movie. When the monster reaches up out of the water to snatch down that stork (?), I nearly jumped into mid air!

If you see it and enjoyed it, would love to hear your thoughts.
 

Here's a list of the movies I have seen in this genre. Some really great ones.
The Exorcist (1973)
Exorcist II The Heretic (1977)
The Possessed (1977)
The Exorcist III (1990)
Exorcist The Beginning (2004)
Dominion Prequel to the Exorcist (2005)
Deliver Us from Evil (2014)
The Vatican Tapes (2015)
The Seventh Day (2021)
The Exorcism of God (2022)
 
I enjoy horror movies, however, because of my spiritual background I am inclined to avoid demons & devils as opening a doorway into darkness. On the other hand I like dark movies, supernatural, horror, comedies, psychological thrillers etc.
 
The Exorcist (1973) was great but I don't like the genre as a whole. I guess I used to. I enjoy a good slasher movie now and then. Don't really watch it for the gore and excitement but for the mystery aspect of it.
 
I like the exorcism movies for a lot of reasons. One is, what is it really telling us exists and how behind the phenomena. For example, in the old testament, there is a warning not to consult the dead or reach out to them. That always left me wondering, why? So it must be possible if there is an injunction against it (if you believe in the spirituality of the bible). And HOW does that happen? How can you communicate? Is there another dimension? Is there a space-time at play here. As you can tell, in retirement, I have too much time on my hands.
 
I used to enjoy these films but with all the negativity in the world, I feel directed to promote peace, love and humor. :) It's true, this genre can be a portal for nasty activity. I did read a very old book recently titled The Sentinel. Sometimes reading is easier for me to take than a movie on the same subject.
 
We have Amazon Prime, but I'm not paying $6.99 to rent a movie of this kind. The description suggests the classic dogmatic premises, the title had, to me at least, implied something more thoughtful.

I did think the 70s version of original Exorcist movie was well done. But not a favorite genre tho i have very eclectic tastes in books and movies (and music).

Creature From the Black Lagoon? Did not scare me, and i swam in a river all the time when young. In fact, i sympathized with the creature.
 
The tv show “Supernatural“ is intriguing, at the same foreboding, I can’t watch much of it without screwing with my head.
 
Mr. Ed said:
The tv show “Supernatural“ is intriguing, at the same foreboding, I can’t watch much of it without screwing with my head.
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Recently started rewatching it, as i'd tired of it when it got too foxused on Christian dogma. Tho it did always tip its hat at other theologies. Mostly i enjoyed the dynamic between Sam and Dean.

But then a bunch of my first run shows came back so still haven't watched it all, tho i cheated and watched the finale.
 
feywon said:
We have Amazon Prime, but I'm not paying $6.99 to rent a movie of this kind. The description suggests the classic dogmatic premises, the title had, to me at least, implied something more thoughtful.

I did think the 70s version of original Exorcist movie was well done. But not a favorite genre tho i have very eclectic tastes in books and movies (and music).

Creature From the Black Lagoon? Did not scare me, and i swam in a river all the time when young. In fact, i sympathized with the creature.
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That reminds me. My parents had friends from the old country who were caretakers at a cemetery when I was in grade school. We used to go and play out there in the dark all the time and we never saw anything weird and were never afraid. In fact, we used to play hide and seek out there till late at night. But the Creature from the Black Lagoon, naw, no way!
 
In many ways, I don’t put much stock in religion or religious matters as most beliefs and rituals are far fetched and believable. Faith is the basic foundation for Christianity, however, with increased scrutiny on my part, I cannot support matters of faith without further truth.
 
chic said:
I used to enjoy these films but with all the negativity in the world, I feel directed to promote peace, love and humor. :) It's true, this genre can be a portal for nasty activity. I did read a very old book recently titled The Sentinel. Sometimes reading is easier for me to take than a movie on the same subject.
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Reading is not much easier for me due to my very visual imagination. But it is easier to put a book down if getting too intense than to pause or totally stop watching a movie.

When i was pregnant with daughter (i turned 37 twenty days before i had her) i found once i got to a certain point in a Stephen King.or more often i was reading Dean R. Koontz, i had to finish reading the book or all night long i'd dream alternative endings to it. Sometimes they were close to the authors', but that doesn't make for restful sleep. So after the 3rd or 4th time i gave up reading them for a while. When i did go back to them, it no longer happened. The family joke is the baby wanted to know. She loves the genre.
 
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You take your stories very seriously. I used to devour books, but I stopped reading when I realized that I could get more stories in x amount of time than it takes me to read a book. Saw a lot of Stephen King's stuff (a lot was seriously cheesy, but some good). Know about Dean Koontz, but never read anything or recall seeing any shows.
 
pkuchnicki said:
You take your stories very seriously. I used to devour books, but I stopped reading when I realized that I could get more stories in x amount of time than it takes me to read a book. Saw a lot of Stephen King's stuff (a lot was seriously cheesy, but some good). Know about Dean Koontz, but never read anything or recall seeing any shows.
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I preferred Koontz to King. My sons preferred King. By age 9 or so (twins) they both could compare/contrast the two authors better than many adults i knew, and explain what appealed them about King. My favorite King novels were Dolores Claiborne because the POV of the narration forced him to be more to.the point, and Lisey's Story for a multitude of reasons.

Koontz's The Corner of His Eye and the first Odd Thomas book my faves. Interestingly both men are able to write a variety of women well but often have strong female main Characters and both were were raised by mostly single Moms.
 
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Geezer Garage said:
Being raised Catholic was scary enough for me. I felt the same way as feywon about the creature from the black lagoon, when I saw it as a youngster.
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I saw the original 1973 Exorcist movie with my then boyfriend and his roommate when i lived i Honolulu. The roomie, Gary, was Catholic and visibly shaken as we exited the theater on gorgeous tropical night. My BF, George, was a Tlingit Indian from Canada. Gary was slightly ahead of us on the tourist crowded sidewalk. I grabbed George's arm and said "Don't!!!" very firmly when i realised George was about to startle his friend.

As it was Gary barely slept for 3 nights, keeping his light on all night. I got him to come out on the lanai with me and talk, basically talked him.down from being so anxious and scared. I used both my knowledge of his religion and my experience with the supernatural to get thru to him.
 
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Fyrefox said:
For alternative takes on Creature from the Black Lagoon themes, I highly recommend the films The Shape of Water, and Cold Skin. They both explore encounters with intelligent aquatic humanoid creatures, against which man emerges as the real monster… 🙀

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I've had The Shape of Water on my list on HULU for weeks but haven't mustered up the courage to watch because i surmised who the real monsters are and we see so much of that in reality.

Hadn't heard of Cold Skin, but will see what i can learn about it.
 
feywon said:
I've had The Shape of Water on my list on HULU for weeks but haven't mustered up the courage to watch because i surmised who the real monsters are and we see so much of that in reality.

Hadn't heard of Cold Skin, but will see what i can learn about it.
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The Shape of Water is quite charming and heartwarming if you can get past a few bloody scenes.
 
@RFW i bit the bullet and watched The Shape of Water just now. More good moments than sad or upsetting. Doug Jones (he plays Saru on Star Trek: Discovery) did phenomenal job as the amphibian. Ending not unexpected but it was satisfying.
 
@Fyrefox Have to thank you for bringing Cold Skin to my attention. It is cuurently on several streaming channels including Roku itself and i just watched it.
 

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