Parent reviews for The Exorcist (2024)

Any parent should keep this movie away from kids. It may be a classic, but it’s a mature classic. This movie is very complex when it comes to religion, but also incredibly scary to some people to this day. When I saw it, I found it shocking after seeing it and thinking about how both the story and the horror develop slowly, bit by bit, which makes it more scary to many audiences. Regan’s look gets worse and worse throughout the film, but what’s more scary is the sound. The demons inside Regan sound scary and Regan even talks to one of the ministers in his mother’s voice, who died during the film. This is one of the incidents that makes it not for the faint of heart. What makes it scary most of all, though, are the scenes involving Regan possessed and lying in her bed not moving or saying anything. The audience members don’t know what she’s going to do next: just talk quietly, make noises, or go on a loud rant. However, it is dated, being from 1973, and therefore may not be exceptionally scary to today’s audiences. The film is very well-made, especially for a early ‘70s film, but it is not for everyone, and it is not like any other film I have ever seen, not only because of its mature and complex themes and the fact that it took a lot of time to get scary and to the story, but also because it is extremely unpredictable.

Too much violence

Too much swearing

Very scary to much sex too much swearing to much voilence to much drinking

Too much violence

Too much sex

Too much swearing

Too much drinking/drugs/smoking

People claim that this is one of the scariest horror movies of all time but for me at least it wasn’t that bad. The gore is much less than in modern horror flicks and it’s not that scary. It is however quite good.

18+!!!! I’m sorry but there is literally a child M@$terb@eing!!! ADULTS ONLY!!!

Too much violence

Too much sex

Too much swearing

Katherine R. Parent of 8, 10, 14, 18+, 18+ and 5-year-old

Ahhh. The Exorcist. A classic horror film. It's fantastic. Only apply my review (13+) if your child is not easily scared. This movie is a little frightening even for teens. If your child is easily scared, wait 'till 15. If they are SUPER easily scared, definitely wait 'till 16-17. Some adults were afraid of this movie but those people watched it back when it came out and it was very realistic back then. I know an 11-year-old who watched and is probably one of the most well-behaved kids I know. Also if your child is sensitive to that stuff, wait for sure. Violence and scariness: 8/10. There are frightening images and scenes, and grotesque features depicted on the main character's (Regans,) face. Not surprising because The Exorcist follows the story of a girl named Regan MacNeil who is possessed by a demon called Pazuzu. Romance, sex, and nudity: 7.7/10. There are a lot of scenes like this in the film. One, Regan urinates on a carpet in the beginning and says, "You're going to die up there." There is another scene a little later in the movie when Regan, possessed by Pazuzu repeatedly and ruthlessly stabs her vagin* with a small metal crucifix. This is one of the most iconic scenes but also the most frightening. Regan's mother, Chris tries to stop her but Regan punches her in the face with a loud WHACK sound, and blood is shown on her face. Regan/Pazuzu also propositions priests. Swearing: 8.8/10. There is A LOT of swearing. Believe me. There are great role models though. Father Merrin and Father Karras (the priests,) demonstrate great compassion and selflessness for Regan. Both of them die trying to save her though. Karras sacrifices himself to the demon to save Regan, Merrin dies off-screen but his corpse is shown after Regan kills him. All in all, great film. Just make sure your child has the requirements filled out. I'll be reviewing other horror films, thank you for Reading. Asher out.

Educational value

Great role models

Too much violence

This movie deserves a -10. Nothing Regan didn't do In the Exorcist. Waste of money

Too much violence

This movie is extremely disturbing, scary, vulgar, and definitely not for kids! However, I disagree strongly with CSM for saying that there are not positive role models in this movie! In fact, aside from the Demon and Burke, the rest of the Characters are very decent and heroic people who are great role models.Chris is a strong and successful single Mother faced with an unspeakable situation, and is willing to do anything she can to save her Daughter's life! Despite not being a Religious person, after seeing the supernatural evil displayed by her possessed daughter, she is open minded enough to seek help from the Catholic Church. The irony is, she has to convince a skeptical Priest that the possession is real.Which brings me to Father Karras, a very nuanced character struggling with his belief in Science and his Faith. He is an intelligent, compassionate man, who despite his prestigious credentials and education is still willing to face an evil he has little experience with to save a young girl. He lacks Father Merrin's experience, but ultimately gives his life to save a child and defeat the evil despite seemingly impossible odds.Speaking of Father Merrin, despite his illness and advanced age he willingly walks into a situation that he likely knows will result in his death because he realizes that he is one of the few people in the World capable of dealing with the situation. He is kind to Chris and a great mentor to Damien despite the limited time he interacts with them. Even the Police Lieutenant, despite being a bit bumbling, is smart enough to know that something deeply sinister is afoot, and does what he can to help. The servants also stick around to help out.I think there are TONS of good role models in this movie, and it's one of it's strengths. It's why the movie is still powerful despite somewhat dated effects. The movie is Rated R, and obviously has tons of violence, sex, swearing, etc. I didn't check those boxes, because I feel rating already reflects that.

Great role models

Too much swearing