Movies

The Exorcist: Believer’ Shocks as Streaming Hit on Starz After Disastrous Theatrical Debut!

BBG News

When it was revealed that David Gordon Green would be creating not just one, but two sequels for the movie “The Exorcist,” there was much anticipation for a thrilling new installment in one of cinema’s scariest franchises. However, things didn’t quite turn out as planned. But now, after nearly two years, it appears that the top spot on the Starz streaming chart is being haunted by “The Exorcist” sequels.

The film titled ‘The Exorcist: Believer’ serves as a direct follow-up to the original movies, featuring the return of Ellen Burstyn and Linda Blair, similar to how John Carpenter’s ‘Halloween’ franchise was revived. However, unlike the decline in quality experienced by Green’s ‘Halloween’ trilogy over time, ‘The Exorcist: Believer’ did not enjoy the same level of critical acclaim.

The film premiered in theaters in October 2023, receiving harsh criticism from critics and mixed feedback from viewers. Despite earning $137 million at the box office, which more than doubled its initial budget of $30 million, the outcome was still considered a letdown, causing plans for a potential trilogy to be abandoned. However, about two years later, the movie is now receiving positive responses on its new streaming platform, demonstrating yet again that any film can find its audience through streaming.

Mike Flanagan is Rebooting ‘The Exorcist’ Franchise Again

Among all filmmakers, Mike Flanagan seems exceptionally well-suited to avoid the flaws present in Green’s movie. With his extensive horror resume on Netflix, he has already demonstrated his skills effectively. Currently, he is marketing the non-horror Stephen King movie titled “The Life of Chuck“. Following that project, Flanagan plans to work on adaptations for a new series of Carrie and The Dark Tower, among other endeavors.

Previously, Flanagan had discussed his motivation behind undertaking the project of revitalizing the legacy of “The Exorcist,” explaining:

As a devoted cinephile, I must confess that “The Exorcist” left an indelible mark on my young soul. At a tender age, I had the misfortune of witnessing this cinematic masterpiece, and it undeniably haunted me for years to come. The subsequent sequels, prequels have been attempted, yet none have managed to capture the raw terror and psychological depth that the original achieved so brilliantly. To attempt a remake of “The Exorcist” seems futile; the story is timeless, and no one could ever hope to surpass or improve upon the chilling tale as it was originally told.

You need to undertake a fresh approach, yet one that resonates and aligns with the original, without aiming to overpower or supplant it. Instead, it should be an entirely unique addition, neither a repetition nor a recreation of what has been done before.

Working on a fresh addition to any widely recognized intellectual property (IP) can sometimes be a tough maze to maneuver, even for veteran directors and scriptwriters. Lately, we’ve seen some blockbuster franchise comebacks that have made a big impact, like “Top Gun: Maverick,” but also some that didn’t quite meet expectations, such as “Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny.” Fans will need to be patient until at least next year to find out if the new “Exorcist” spinoff can wipe away memories of “Believer,” or if it’ll end up frying socks in the underworld instead.

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2025-06-04 03:03

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