The Exorcist: Believer

Cast View all

	Lafortune Joseph	Fisherman #1
	Leslie Odom Jr.	Victor Fielding
	Gastner Legerme	Fisherman #2
	Tracey Graves	Sorenne Fielding
	Marie Michelle Bazile	Craftsperson
	Rodrigue Lucien Louissaint	Mirror Salesman
	Albert Wollf II Saint Felix Nolasco	Young Boy in Haiti
	Viergeue Charles	Spiritual Reader
	Prince Jayden Constant Felix	Kid at the Beach
	Jake Arsene Joseph	Kid at the Beach
	Yomayli Joseph Louisimus	Kid at the Beach
	Dieunanne Hercule	Mother Crying
	Eliseo Antonio Paredes	Haitian Doctor
	Gardy Helve	Haitian Doctor
	Lidya Jewett	Angela Fielding
	Danny McCarthy	Stuart
	Ann Dowd	Ann
	Norbert Leo Butz	Tony
	Rory Gross	Tyler
	Olivia O'neill	Katherine
	Norah Elin Murphy	Hannah
	Jennifer Nettles	Miranda
	Lariah Alexandria	Deshannah
	Patrick Roper	Teacher
	Ian Godlewski	Polish Exchange Student

Crew View all

Director	David Gordon Green
Writer	Peter Sattler, David Gordon Green, Scott Teems, Danny McBride
Producer	Stephanie Allain, Jason Blum, David Gordon Green, Mark David Katchur, Julian Lawitschka, Danny McBride, Christopher Merrill, Nate Meyer, Gamal Palmer, Brian Robinson, David Robinson, James G. Robinson, Jennifer Scudder Trent, Ryan Turek, Atilla Salih Yücer
Musician	Amman Abbasi, David Wingo
Photography	Michael Simmonds

Personal

Notes

My quick rating - 5.0/10. The Exorcist: Believer is the kind of horror sequel that feels more like a contractual obligation than a passion project. Directed by David Gordon Green, this entry attempts to revive the legendary Exorcist franchise with a new tale of possession and parental desperation but ultimately lands as a middling, formulaic flick that fails to justify its resurrection.
The story follows Victor (played by Leslie Odom Jr.), a single father still grieving the loss of his wife, now raising his daughter Angela on his own. When Angela and her friend disappear for three days and return with no memory of what happened, it quickly becomes clear that something sinister has taken hold. Their disturbing, synchronized behavior echoes the infamous MacNeil case from fifty years ago—yes, that exorcism—and this paves the way for the film’s big nostalgic pull: the return of Ellen Burstyn as Chris MacNeil.
Seeing Burstyn reprise her role is a genuine treat, especially for fans of the 1973 classic. She brings gravitas and warmth to the film, even if the script doesn’t give her nearly enough to do. In fact, this is a recurring issue throughout Believer—capable performances are let down by shallow material. The makeup on the two possessed girls is solid and effectively eerie, but the scares? Minimal. Tension? Lacking. It’s more of a slow-burning procedural that builds up—predictably—to the final exorcism showdown.
And that’s the problem: it all feels too safe, too by-the-numbers. The film relies heavily on the familiar “how far will a parent go” trope, but never pushes into deeper or more disturbing territory. The ending does throw in a bone for longtime fans, and the use of Mike Oldfield’s “Tubular Bells” over the credits is a welcome nod, but these are fleeting moments of nostalgia in an otherwise forgettable package.
What The Exorcist: Believer seems most guilty of is using its legacy characters and franchise name as a way to cash in without doing the thematic or cinematic heavy lifting that made the original such a cultural milestone. It doesn’t have Friedkin’s boldness, Blatty’s philosophical weight, or even a memorable moment that could linger past the credits.
Out of respect for the original and its late director William Friedkin, this could easily be rated more harshly. But there’s enough competent acting, decent production design, and a serviceable (if predictable) arc to call it passable. Still, it’s a far cry from anything worthy of The Exorcist name.
Verdict: A by-the-book horror sequel with a few nostalgic sparks, but mostly a hollow echo of past terror.

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