The Exorcist: Believer — Why John Carpenter Thinks It’s a Missed Opportunity

The horror world is still buzzing, or perhaps more accurately, groaning, about the recent release of The Exorcist: Believer. Directed by David Gordon Green, the man behind the recent Halloween reboot trilogy, this film was supposed to be the resurrection of a classic. But instead of rising like a phoenix, it seems to have sunk like a stone. Now, John Carpenter, the legendary director of iconic films like 1978’s Halloween and 1982’s The Thing, weighs in on why he thinks the film didn’t live up to its potential.

Carpenter’s Candid Take

In a recent interview with The Los Angeles Times, Carpenter shared his thoughts on the film’s reception. “I like what David did when he made the three ‘Halloweens.’ I loved No. 2 [‘Halloween Kills’]. Thought that was fabulous. I heard ‘The Exorcist’ really didn’t cut it. That could be a kickass movie. I don’t understand how you can screw that up,” said Carpenter. It’s worth noting that Carpenter hasn’t actually seen the film yet, but his comments reflect a broader sentiment: The Exorcist: Believer is a missed opportunity.

The Sequel’s Struggle to Balance Old and New

John Friedkin’s original 1973 Exorcist film remains a horror classic, setting a high bar for any follow-up. David Gordon Green’s reboot/sequel aimed to “introduce new audiences to the franchise while also appealing to those with a relationship to the original stretch of films.” However, it appears that the film failed to strike this delicate balance.

“A common sentiment in reviews is that Green’s attempts to go back to the franchise’s roots come at the expense of really adding anything new or fresh,” which makes the movie feel like a retread of old themes and ideas. Ellen Burstyn reprised her role as Chris MacNeil, but even her return couldn’t save the film from its lackluster reception.

The Missing Element: Genuine Terror

The original Exorcist was groundbreaking in its horror elements, setting a standard that few films have managed to meet. “It’s hard to overstate just how groundbreaking and genuinely horrifying the original Exorcist was in 1973,” and unfortunately, the new movie fails to capture this essence. While there is one scare involving Chris that is genuinely shocking, the film overall lacks the rawness and novel sense of dread that made the original a classic.

The Financial Fiasco

To add insult to injury, Universal shelled out a staggering $400 million for the rights to the franchise. Given the film’s poor box office performance and critical reception, it’s safe to say that this investment hasn’t paid off. “All of this has culminated in a fairly lackluster reception to the movie commercially,” making it a financial disappointment on top of its creative shortcomings.

The Final Word

In the world of horror, few voices carry as much weight as John Carpenter’s. When he says a film had the potential to be “kickass” but failed, people listen. While The Exorcist: Believer had all the elements to be a modern horror classic, it seems to have missed the mark on almost every level. Whether it’s the failure to balance nostalgia with innovation, or the lack of genuine scares, the film serves as a cautionary tale for future reboots. As Carpenter puts it, it’s hard to understand how such a promising premise could be so thoroughly “screwed up.”