The Exorcism

Cast View all

	Russell Crowe	Anthony Miller
	Ryan Simpkins	Lee Miller
	Sam Worthington	Joe
	Chloe Bailey	Blake Holloway
	Adam Goldberg	Peter
	Adrian Pasdar	Tom
	David Hyde Pierce	Father Conor
	Tracey Bonner	Regina
	Marcenae Lynette	Monica
	Joshua John Miller	FX Guy
	Hallie Samuels	Hayley (Makeup Person)
	Hannah Black	2nd Crew AC
	Samantha Mathis	Jennifer Simon
	Anna Maria Reyer	Hair Stylist
	Jayden Fontaine	Young Anthony
	Zach Padlo	Dark Figure
	Chad Michael Baird	Film Crew Grip
	Marc Bellinger	Additional Set Electric Crew
	Ron Blake	Pedestrian
	Drew Broderick	Producer
	Maxwell Highsmith	Actor in the Makeup Chair
	Michelle Huddleston	Partygoer
	Kimberly	Civilian
	Keeley Kollmann	Feature Costume Department
	Mimi Marquis	Scripty

Crew View all

Director	Joshua John Miller
Writer	M.A. Fortin, Joshua John Miller
Producer	Bill Block, Ben Fast, Andrew Golov, Dan Lawler, Aaron Levine, Padraic McKinley, Scott Putman, Kevin Williamson, Thom Zadra
Musician	Danny Bensi, Saunder Jurriaans
Photography	Simon Duggan

Personal

Notes

My quick rating - 4.6/10. It has an interesting idea with a troubled actor spiraling during the shooting of a supernatural horror film, blurring the lines between his past addictions and potential sinister forces. Despite the potential for a gripping narrative, the movie unfortunately falls flat in several key areas. My first thought was how in the world they convinced Russell Crowe to take on the lead role. Crowe's performance is by far the standout element in an otherwise bland film, providing a level of gravitas that the story sorely lacks. His portrayal of the struggling actor lends the character a depth and complexity that kept me engaged, even as the plot meanders. Ryan Simpkins, playing the estranged daughter, delivers a commendable performance as well. She effectively conveys the confusion and concern of a daughter torn between fear for her father's relapse and suspicion of darker forces at work. The dynamic between Crowe and Simpkins is one of the film's few highlights, adding a layer of emotional resonance.
The movie does offer a few well-executed scares, primarily through the use of unsettling imagery. These moments are fleeting, however, and not enough to sustain the tension or excitement needed for a compelling horror film. The slow pacing further detracts from the experience, with long stretches that fail to build suspense or advance the plot in a meaningful way. What I did find interesting is the exploration of addiction as a form of possession. This metaphorical approach is thought-provoking, drawing parallels between the protagonist's struggles with substance abuse and the demonic influences he faces. Unfortunately, this concept is not fully developed, leaving it feeling more like a missed opportunity than a central theme. Overall, the flick is a mediocre film that benefits from high production values and strong performances from its leads but is ultimately let down by a lackluster story and sluggish pacing. It’s a movie that had the potential to be much more, but despite its few bright spots, it doesn't quite deliver the compelling horror experience I was hoping for.

Tags

Links