Taylor Swift's Unexpected Role: Healing Child Actors Through the Power of Music in The Exorcist

Summary

The young stars of The Exorcist: Believer found comfort in listening to Taylor Swift to recovering from filming intense scenes.

The film took the lessons from previous errors into account and placed a high priority on ensuring the safety and well-being of its young actors. As part of this effort, Linda Blair was invited to serve as an advisor. Recognizing the distressing and emotionally taxing content of specific scenes, the director stressed the significance of providing the girls with regular intervals to rest and regain their composure.

Director David Gordon Greene, who helmed The Exorcist: Believer, shared an interesting revelation about the film's young stars, Lidya Jewett and Olivia O'Neill. During intense scenes, Jewett and O'Neill found solace in Taylor Swift's music, using it as a means to emotionally recover. In the movie, the actresses portray Angela and Katherine, two girls grappling with demonic possession. Seeking assistance for their afflicted children, their parents turn to Chris MacNeil, played by Ellen Burstyn, who has previous experience with possessed youngsters. Consequently, The Exorcist: Believer made certain that Jewett and O'Neill felt at ease while filming. In a recent interview with Forbes, Greene expounded upon how the girls handled the dark and intense scenes, acknowledging the emotional toll it took on them. At times, they would halt filming and listen to and even dance to Swift's music in order to disassociate from the harrowing situations they were portraying. Interestingly, it's worth noting that Swift's The Eras Tour movie caused The Exorcist: Believer to alter its original release date from October 13 to October 6, making the use of Swift's music in the film somewhat ironic. Review Greene's statement below:

Credit is rightfully owed to Lidya Jewett and Olivia O'Neill for their exceptional performances as the two girls. Throughout the filming process, there were numerous moments that genuinely terrified us, particularly during the intense climactic sequence," reflected the director. "Whether it was due to their unwavering dedication to their characters, the emotional depth they brought while fully immersing themselves in the role, or the physical strain of wearing prosthetics, we often had to pause, regroup, and release the tension. It was necessary to reset the atmosphere, shake off the energy, and uplift ourselves by indulging in some Taylor Swift tunes and dancing our way out of it.

The Exorcist: Believer Learned From Past Mistakes To Protect Its Child Stars

The Exorcist: Believer closely resembles the original film in the franchise as it brings back Burstyn and focuses on two young girls who are possessed. Like its predecessor, it aims to shock, horrify, and disgust the audience. However, these elements raised concerns about the safety of Jewett and O'Neill on set, given the alleged curse associated with The Exorcist. Numerous injuries, accidents, and even deaths occurred during its production, leading many to believe in the curse.

Some of the "curse" could be attributed to the lack of safety precautions and inadequate protection on set. Unfortunately, Blair fell victim to the hazardous working conditions of The Exorcist, resulting in a fractured spine from being strapped to a violently shaking bed. This fracture eventually caused scoliosis and had long-term implications for her health. Additionally, Blair experienced a lack of protection, facing death threats due to the controversial nature of the film. Fortunately, The Exorcist: Believer appears to have learned from the franchise's past mistakes and prioritized the safety and well-being of its child actors.

One of the key strategies it employed was inviting Blair to be an advisor on set. This allowed her to draw from her personal experiences and guide the cast and crew in effectively portraying Jewett and O'Neill's intense moments in The Exorcist: Believer. Furthermore, considering Greene's remarks, the film made sure not to overwhelm Jewett and O'Neill. While Blair's past as a child actor may have had its challenges, The Exorcist: Believer's commitment to improve the treatment of its young stars offers some solace.