Name: The Exorcist
Genre: Drama, Horror
Duration: 122 min
Cast: Ellen Burstyn, Max von Sydow, Linda Blair

Oscar · 2Globe · 4

Spoiler-free premise

Actress Chris MacNeil seeks medical and spiritual help after twelve-year-old daughter Regan undergoes terrifying physical and behavioral changes.

Read expanded premiseLonger, still spoiler-free

While filming in Georgetown, actress Chris MacNeil watches daughter Regan develop violent seizures, altered speech, and impossible behavior that medical tests cannot explain. Troubled priest and psychiatrist Damien Karras is asked to investigate before veteran exorcist Lankester Merrin arrives.

Why it belongs

The Exorcist makes supernatural horror credible through medical procedure, domestic realism, sound, and Burstyn and Miller's exhausted search for help.

Read expanded why it belongsThe fuller editorial case

Ellen Burstyn and Jason Miller ground belief in desperation rather than certainty. Georgetown streets, hospital machines, cold breath, attic noise, bedroom confinement, Mike Oldfield's sparse theme, and practical effects assemble escalation from observed detail.

Major award record

Metadata only · zero points in 40/40/20

Academy Awards2 wins1974 · official ceremony record ↗

Writing (Screenplay—based on material from another medium)1974 · William Peter Blattyofficial ceremony record ↗

Plus 1 additional win

Golden Globes4 wins1974 · official film record ↗

Best Motion Picture - Drama1974 · Exorcist, Theofficial film record ↗Best Director - Motion Picture1974 · William Friedkinofficial film record ↗Best Screenplay - Motion Picture1974 · William Peter Blattyofficial film record ↗Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in any Motion Picture1974 · Linda Blairofficial film record ↗

Totals include every recorded competitive win. Only Picture or top-film honors, Direction, Screenplay, and lead or supporting performances are named.

The Exorcist

Double Feature