Most folks know of William Friedkin’s 1973 classic The Exorcist, but fewer know of the vastly underrated 1990 Exorcist 3 which was directed by the author of The Exorcist novel, William Peter Blatty. Blatty also wrote the novel “Legion” upon which the Exorcist 3 is based, and was given the chance to direct the film after the disastrous run of The Exorcist 2, which we all hope we could forget, all apologies to Linda Blair (who did all she could to salvage that film).
The fact that The Exorcist 2 was such a massive disappointment and just a generally awful film really affected the potential success of The Exorcist 3 when it first debuted, and that is a shame because it is a movie that deserves a lot more credit.
For as much as The Exorcist was a horror film, The Exorcist 3 is a true psychological thriller and whodunnit with horror elements being a main driver of the plot. The Exorcist, for its time, ramped up the shock factor with its graphic depictions of gore and the torment of a 12 year old girl, but The Exorcist 3 took a different path, focusing on the aftermath of the events of the original Exorcist and the failure of the demon Pazuzu to kill Regan MacNeil.
What makes The Exorcist 3 so unique is the ability to blend the horror elements of the original with the hard boiled detective angle provided by the really great acting of George C. Scott. Scott really brings a depth to the Kinderman character in terms of his humor, emotion, and range. Scott’s interplay with Father Dyer (played by Ed Flanders who was great in Salem’s Lot) is especially amazing, as they discuss everything from death, the occult, to woman’s fashion.
But it’s no surprise that it’s Brad Dourif who really steals the show as the Gemini Killer, as his scenes really are the best and most tense in the entire film. When you throw in a really commanding performance by Nicol Williamson (I love him in Excalibur!) I feel like the actors in this film get far too little credit for their great performances.
In sum, though the original Exorcist is undoubtedly a classic, the Exorcist 3 is a supremely underrated film that deserves more publicity because of its amazing cast and unique approach as both a hard boiled detective and horror film.