(Updated 09/29/2023)
THE EXORCIST became an astonishing hit that rewrote the rules for horror movies when it first opened just after Christmas in 1973. This fall, THE EXORCIST: BELIEVER will continue the story, and in doing so rewrites much of what we know about THE EXORCIST story.
There have been sequels to THE EXORCIST, obviously, but none has quite lived up to the soul-shattering effect of the original movie. (Still, THE EXORCIST III is a terrific movie and well worth seeking out especially if you’ve never seen it.) But THE EXORCIST: BELIEVER ignores those movies, and stands as a direct sequel to the original movie.
If that approach sounds familiar, it’s because it’s the same thing that was done with the recent trilogy of HALLOWEEN movies. This time, it’s also being done by the same people. David Gordon Green, the director of the recent HALLOWEEN trilogy, is a writer and director on this sequel as well. Here’s everything you need to know about THE EXORCIST: BELIEVER, including the new trailer.
When Does The Exorcist: Believer Come Out?
Universal Pictures will release THE EXORCIST BELIEVER in movie theatres on October 6. (This movie was originally set to release on October 13, but pulled forward a week when Taylor Swift's concert movie was announced. We do love the idea of an ExorSwift double-feature, and you'll still be able to do that when THE ERAS TOUR opens!)
Watch the New Trailer for The Exorcist: Believer
The new trailer for THE EXORCIST: BELIEVER is online now. While the first trailer outlined the story, introduced the characters, and set up the movie's unblinking tone, this new one does a lot more to connect this sequel to the original EXORCIST. It's also a scarier trailer!.
What Is The Exorcist: Believer About?
When two girls disappear for a time — and then start to exhibit strange and terrifying behavior after returning — their parents are desperate for answers. Eventually, demonic possession rises as a possible cause. The fact that one girl, dirty, disheveled, and covered in wine, strolls into a church and up to the altar during mass yelling "the body and the blood!" helps cement that idea.
One girl's father tracks down Chris MacNeil, whose daughter, Regan, had been possessed in THE EXORCIST. And so a multi-generational battle between good and evil begins, with a vengeful demon seemingly seeking retribution for being expelled from Regan MacNeil decades earlier.
The Cast of The Exorcist: Believer
We've mentioned that Chris MacNeil returns from THE EXORCIST, and indeed she is played once again by Ellen Burstyn, reprising her role. The cast of this sequel also features Leslie Odom Jr., Ann Dowd, Lidya Jewett, Olivia Marcum, Raphael Sbarge, Jennifer Nettles, and Okwui Okpokwasili.
David Gordon Green Directs The Exorcist: Believer
After teaming with producer Jason Blum on the three recent HALLOWEEN movies, David Gordon Green signed on to direct THE EXORCIST: BELIEVER. This movie is also planned to be the first of three films, and it looks like there's a good chance that Green will direct all three.
Green co-wrote the script with Peter Sattler based on a story by Scott Teems, Danny McBride, and Green. Michael Simmonds, who was the cinematographer on the HALLOWEEN movies, is behind the camera once again, too.
The Next Exorcist Movie
The sequel to THE EXORCIST: BELIEVER has already been announced. (Remember up above we mentioned that this was planned as the first of three movies?) The second film in the story cycle will be called THE EXORCIST: DECEIVER, and Ellyn Burstyn is already set to reprise her role. It's planned for an April, 2025 release.
THE EXORCIST: BELIEVER opens on October 6.
All images courtesy of Universal Pictures.