The Exorcist: Believer - My Thoughts.

[@DaveMcRaeOfficial]

NOTE: A viewer mentioned the reason Regan and her mother no longer speak is because of the book. Regan was mortified when it was released and went into hiding. I totally forgot about that. This DOES help to add some context to the final scene with her and her mother, but still, so much potential not realized and although very cool, an underwhelming cameo for me.

[@supertenor2767]

Yeah. Gail Weathers/Sydney

[@Frankenberry]

Yeah the subtext was there, it just wasn't fleshed out very well, in my mind thats another good indication that my theory about the movie that was intended being cut all to hell is probably right.

[@VerisimilitudeFilms1]

The one I'm really waiting for is Dave's thoughts on GODZILLA: MINUS ONE

[@oscarv2556]

I found the film to be better than expected to be honest, it had good moments, not many jumpscares which I really liked. I appreciate how it relied on being creepy and unsettling.

[@vampirascoffin870]

😂😂😂😂😂😂 stop it this movie sucked!

[@Frankenberry]

Same here... there was so much trash talk before it even came out, that I left the theater pleasantly surprised.

[@oscarv2556]

@@vampirascoffin870 nah it wasn’t half bad. It was generic AF though.

[@brianmeen2158]

Unsettling? I didn’t feel a moment of that.. it was a generic possession movie to me

[@estelasayeed5608]

@@brianmeen2158too generic imo, it didn’t really add anything new to the story and it being a direct sequel the the original was a big mistake, they did it with Halloween and it was pretty good but it didn’t work with the Exorcist, I don’t see the sequel doing better honestly..

[@jacebales2951]

I have definitely been waiting for this! Thanks, Dave.

[@itsharryhagen]

For me, the last 4 DGG films (Halloween Trilogy & Exorcist Believer), the movies start off good, and then, take a nose dive (Like Dave said) in the second half. This is especially true for Halloween Kills and Exorcist Believer. Both movies start off really good (especially Kills with the flash back), and then it’s like, something is lost for the second half.

[@ScaredStraightProductions]

Most of his movies are like that. 2018 was really simplistic and was passable as a horror movie which I think was the reason why it did well. Kills had kills for the horror fans but alienated audiences with the lack of plot. Ends was different and people didn't like it because of marketing and mislead.

[@vampirascoffin870]

​​@@ScaredStraightProductionstrue thank u!!!!

[@jimbowlan5804]

@ScaredStraightProductions I think a lot of movies are today are like that my favorite franchise predator the predator was like that I really liked the beginning but once it got to the hybrid stuff and autism stuff it lost me especially in fox’s studio mandated last half

[@Frankenberry]

I thought believer was "good".... The first two Halloween movies I loved... The last one I hated. I felt like it could have been a MUCH better movie without the Corey sub plot. It would have been ok for him to be in the movie, and maybe people pointing fingers at him THINKING he was a copycat killer... But the lack of Michael for most of the movie, and the fact that they had him beat up by a nerd that can't even stand up to some bullies is ridiculous.

[@itsharryhagen]

@@Frankenberry Funny thing is, Corey is not the subplot. Michael is the subplot!

[@Worth8755]

Is it true the DGG stepped down as Director of these films?

[@mjslawrence9554]

It was confusing from day one that Blum didn't choose a more suitable director after sinking 400 mill into this. I enjoy the Halloween franchise but never would have chosen Green for this franchise. So now what are they going to do...

[@jimbowlan5804]

Blum house didn’t spend 400 million universal and peacock spent the money universal saw what the last 3 Halloween movies did so they expected a bigger return on the exercist they probably think it’s a big franchise where only 1 and 3 are good 2 and the prequels suck and the show was good Halloween franchise has more good movies and the liscense they paid was alot less

[@amdusias2978]

Dave! If you ever get interested I’d love to know what you would have done had you directed this movie.

[@sixtwooneninety4865]

Yes. Mike Flanagan is in talks currently.

[@nu-metalfan2654]

If I was doing an Exorcist movie, i would base it as realistic as possible (what I mean is as realistic to folklore as I could) and to not fall into the same old tired tropes you see in every Possession movie. Amityville 2: The Possession got it right with the possession aspect of things. I hate when a Possession based Horror movie comes out and it’s the same old tired shit of them starting to act like an animal, or convulsing, levitating, doing the spider walk shit, vomiting etc etc. The reason why Amityville 2: The Possession did everything right was because they did none of that stuff, when the son had been possessed he was behaving like a human just doing wicked things and enticing his family to do wicked things, which is very realistic to folklore. What writers, studios and directors fail to understand when making a Possession based Horror movies, is that Evil behaves more human like than we think.

[@ScaredStraightProductions]

We all knew this movie was gonna be shit when burstyn said she didnt like the movie and she only did it for the money.

[@Smoothy4doctor26]

But the chart says we have to do this and this and that so DO IT! 😂

[@christophermcintyre7934]

1st half of this movie was solid 2nd half desyroyed it..when the mother talks crap about the Church...these priests saved your daughters life and you shit on them..that whole thing made zero sense and the movie went down from there

[@aaronclick6388]

Dave, I agree with you on what this film did right and what it did wrong. It wasn’t the dumpster fire that many negative opinions would have one believe (no pun intended). But it wasn’t very good. Therefore, I do think calling it “fine” might be giving it a little bit more credit than it deserves. I’ll put it this way, I don’t see myself ever rewatching it-or at the very least, not for a VERY long time.

[@MrBibi86]

*I'm sad we don't have another Halloween movie to look forwards to*

[@kevindustin396]

There's more to life than Halloween. Let it go and tune in to watch Dave for other things. You may learn something.

[@Frankenberry]

After the last one, I think that may be a good thing. The franchise can't take too many more shit sandwiches.

[@MrBibi86]

I watch all of Dave's videos@@kevindustin396

[@MrBibi86]

2018 and Kills were good @@Frankenberry

[@rossm7071]

Spot on take Dave. I completely agree. Your demon possession cliches and people reactions were hilarious. Just like cowbells, More Tubular Bells please. lol

[@GarganoA]

Nice to see you take this one on. I pretty much agree with everything you said, including the fact that not only is this not the worst film ever, it's not even the worst in the Exorcist franchise. Totally agree.

[@jimbowlan5804]

Is worse than the prequels

[@Frankenberry]

I've got a different opinion than most... I didn't think it was bad, and I didn't think it was great. I do however think it was the best "sequel" outside of Exorcist 3. To paint a better picture of where I'm at, and where I'm coming from, The original is my favorite film of all time. Not my favorite "Horror movie" of all time... My favorite FILM of all time. This one I think was just "Good". The first half was great, and the second half was OK. But here's where I differ from most. I feel like this film probably WAS GREAT at one time. I feel like it's been cut way back. I don't think we're seeing a lot of what DGG intended to put on the screen. It feels to me, like maybe the studio cut it all to hell for time and content. We are in the age of Wokeism, so I can easily see the Studio cutting a lot of the shocking, controversial things like those we saw in the original, and I also feel like they wanted to keep it shorter.. probably even shorter than what we DID end up with. I feel like another 30 minutes of exploration could have really benefited the film. And we DEFINITELY needed more horror and craziness from the demon. Still, at the end of the day I thought it was a "good" film. The Linda Blair cameo was pointless. Would I have liked to see her have a bigger role? Absolutely... But, with the little bit we got at the end, I just felt like it was supposed to be fan service, but really all it did, in my case anyway was say.. "Why even waste the casting money on her for that??? " .

[@jimbowlan5804]

@Frankenberry It’s not my favorite horror movie but it’s up there at least in my top 15 iam more sci-fi horror and slashers but 1 was really the only horror movie that freaked me out but 3 is actually my favorite of the series but I think 1 is the better movie I just find doriffs and George c Scott’s performance better then the first films cast

[@jimbowlan5804]

If the studio made cuts I don’t think it was from the producers lookin at the production companies involved and who the producers are woke isn’t really there thing is it possible absolutely but if it did happen it probably came from universal

[@Frankenberry]

@@jimbowlan5804 They wouldn't necessarily have to be woke... they could still be worried about putting out something that would cause them outrage from the woke culture out there these days. It's pretty much taken over every part of society. It does kinda seem like folks have about had their fill of it though. You can only feed people shit sandwiches for so long before they say "Enough". I pray that happens sooner rather than later, because this stuff is absolutely destroying society. It's the enemy of everything "good".

[@thomascone5236]

I really enjoyed Believer 👍 I do think it’s a shame DGG isn’t coming back for the next one.. I feel if it was released before ENDS that ENDS would be more satisfying IMO.

[@josephaaron4985]

I'll check out on Prime while stoned one of these days lol

[@OLIMERCER87]

A great breakdown for every detail to what was good and what wasn't. I felt it was an ok enough entry, yet the girls and junior's performance was the strongest delivery's. The astranged family unit was broken between Chris and Regan MacNeil, because Chris went against Regan. By writing her book yet it was a slightly lousy excuse in my opinion for why they didn't speak to each other for 50 years.

[@jbeach12078]

agree, it was ok. like i stated, seen better and seen worse. hows thing, hope all is well.

[@OLIMERCER87]

@@jbeach12078 Definitely agree yet i'll still add it to my collection. Things have been a little stressful regarding one of my original I.P concept pitches. Links to a certain actress. Yet after dealing with these links and competing transfers for a VIP fan card. It soon turn high bar suspicious when they extended the ending payment requirements in order for me to legally work with her and her managements appountatlly which Is highly suspect. Plus the way her so called managements spoke to me was un professional expecially regarding the strange back pedal from my video call chat meeting request. Says who are you are you the CEO now Oliver making dates sep a, side don't get to conferment if it wasn't for your connection you would be kicked out of this chat so I'm cancelling this meeting. I was like sir I'm a respectful, kind, caring, loyal straight up guy, so I'm absolutely confused by were you are coming from here. Of course it went on and on how there was better ways by going about this. Your not even this that the other i won't repeat it all because it was to long, absolutely disgusting behaviour and ridiculous overall towards me. 😒 As a so called management you don't do that so it's obvious red flags right out the gate.

[@jordanstevenson4887]

Exorcist Believer was an entertaining movie but would i say its up there with the original Exorcist or even just an amazing horror movie?, no where near it. The problem is theres so many possession movies out there that it becomes run of the mill, sort of what you expext to see and you become desensitized to it. The double possession thing , I hadn't seen before. I liked that as it ups the stakes.

[@Frankenberry]

Theres not any modern horror movies I'd put on the level of the original. As much as I enjoyed Hereditary, I wouldn't even put that movie on the same level as "The Exorcist"

[@b.z.7618]

I was very disappointed in one particular scene: When Chris MacNeil is at her kitchen table talking about her daughter's excorcism, she literally complains about not being a part of the exorcism and basically shits on the memories of the two priests who saved her daughter. She even complained about the "patriarchy." I couldn't believe they would be so disrespectful to the priests who not only saved her daughter, but sacrificed their own lives to do so.

[@Frankenberry]

Yeah that was just stupid...Gotta admit I rolled my eyes at that one.

[@HeFoundAgartha]

been waiting for this

[@Andrew_Stephens1911]

I don't know if they are going to continue the series now with a new director but maybe The Exorcist Believer sequel can bring something new to the table, cause honestly this movie was not it, better than 2 and 4 but that's it

[@amysson5151]

These directors and producers put out product with minimal effort because they know the horror community will eat up anything they produce. If we quit putting money into these things, they’ll quit producing substandard material. The producer and Director can hop from product to product like they’re playing leapfrog, but as a fan of horror movies, I only have so many dollars to spend on so many movies. If I’m not getting a product as good as the original exorcist, let’s say, then I’m not putting my resources into it. That includes money or time. Or word-of-mouth support. They crucified another franchise. My peace of mind is knowing that I didn’t participate in it. Halloween kills and Halloween ends should’ve been a clear sign how the exorcist: believer was going to turn out. Blasphemous.

[@Bobby_Hall]

I have the same opinion, Dave. There wasn’t really anything special about Believer but it’s also not the dumpster fire it’s made out to be. It’s an okay modern horror movie. I also agree that how they treated Ellen Burstyn’s character seemed disrespectful. There were other ways they could’ve put her in the hospital if that’s what they wanted to do. What they did just seemed incredibly f*cked up. Imagine if they had done that to Laurie Strode in the new Halloween trilogy.

[@Frankenberry]

You know how it is nowdays... people either have to love it or hate it. It's gotta be the greatest movie ever, or the worst piece of shit ever made. Its a real problem these days and it's cost a lot of good movies a lot of money at the box office.

[@amysson5151]

I just finished watching it. When Chris McNeil uttered the word patriarchy, I lost all respect for Blumhouse and David Gordon Green and everybody else associated with this movie. They’re not making movies, they’re making political statements. Weak. Cash grab. Buzz word buttholes. I’m done with them. Besides that, there were other plot holes that were stupid, but it’s not worth me wasting my time on it. They’re finished.

[@MACABREMASKS]

People crapped on this movie so bad that I was like oh ok that wasn't too bad lol, I like the message at the end, which made the movie much better for me overall

[@barrycline6374]

I think it was mediocre as a stand alone movie but almost insulting as an exorcist sequel. I do think a24 would’ve been a better fit, it sounds a bit stereotypical but someone like Ari aster or guillermo del toro would’ve been a much better fit for a director

[@mikemc5221]

This was just your typical somewhat boring possession movie using fan service to tie it to the original. I give it 2 out of 10 as an Exorcist movie but 5 as a typical possession movie.

[@jbeach12078]

it was either going to be a huge box office hit or the flop, it was. i think, this was because the expectations of the film was too high. personally, i enjoyed it, it was ok. i've seen better and i've seen worse.

[@SomethingThatSCREAMS]

Cool, but does anyone think that "it's fine" is good enough for him to keep directing these huge properties? I don't. Does DGG bring much of anything impressive to the table? Did he skillfully steer the ship on Halloween? Where are these supposed filmmaking skills that made him standout in the first place? They aren't really on display in my opinion. Outside of the Shape himself, and getting John Carpenter to score it, I dont feel like he brought this breath of fresh air that we were hoping to get. Maybe you could argue 2018 was fairly well done, but after that? We got disjointed storytelling, underwhelming performances, and shitty dialogue. And Believer felt very much the same. Directors with far less hype behind them have done much better.

[@mw7967]

His films are well shot. Beautiful cinematography.

[@SomethingThatSCREAMS]

Well shot, sure. Beautiful? I wouldn't go that far. The lighting and cinematography on Believer looked exactly like his Halloween films. Those warm saturated colors looked nothing like The Exorcist should look. Go back and watch the original and Exorcist 3 and compare. Night and day.

[@mw7967]

@@SomethingThatSCREAMS Fair enough. My point is that he excels in the area of cinematography. One of his first films...Joe, staring Nicolas Cage is an excellent example. I agree, regarding the exorcist and exorcist 3, by the way.

[@JtMills]

I 💯% agree.

[@capitalcitygoofball1987]

Okay movie until Ellen Burnstyn show up, then totally shits the bed. Question for a filmmaker. I enjoyed Hello Billy, but in Hollywood is there simply NO MORE 32mm FILM IN EXISTENCE? Must I see horror that looks like someone shot it on an iphone?

[@JtMills]

I love your reviews, but I tend to feel like you aren’t harsh enough on some of these run of the mill horror titles because you don’t wanna come off as a “hater”. It’s ok to say they are bad if they are, and this movie was just BAD. It’s a sequel to THE EXORCIST, we should not have such low standards to accept it being so painfully generic, cliched, and dull. About half way through, it was like they cut 30 minutes of character drama out of the movie to get right into the exorcism, like it’s just accepted they are obviously possessed. I’m glad they brought back Ellen Burstyn just to claw her eyes out after 10 minutes. Respect your opinion, but it’s a terrible movie.

[@Out-Cast75]

I ha e no interest in watching it, the O G is it for me.

[@sergioribeiro7725]

Truly the worst horror sequel of all time. A disrespectful hunk of dogshit.

[@sergioribeiro7725]

@gaba-goo3733 never watched Night Swim. Also I said worst horror “SEQUEL”. Please go back to school and learn to read.

[@brentcoin7600]

Chris wrote a tell all book about Regan's possession and it ruined their relationship. Regan felt betrayed and went into hiding. This film has so much potential. While I liked Chris's character I had huge hopes that Blair would've been in the film as one of the main characters. A lot of the film was left on the cutting floor. Again there was so much potential but didn't deliver. I liked the film and have watched it multiple times. Linda has expressed interest in starring in Deceiver if fans helped her with her animal charity. However, to my knowledge the film has been shelved at the moment.

[@DaveMcRaeOfficial]

Thank you. I remember that now. It helps to add context, but still an underwhelming cameo nonetheless. There was, like you said, the potential for so much more.

[@BIadesMan]

It’s not a great movie it’s just meh 🫤.I won’t watch it again anyway.It’s way better than the second.good video Dave.👍