The Exorcist: Unveiling a Shocking Twist: What [SPOILER] Means for the Future of the Franchise?

The Exorcist: Believer, a direct sequel to The Exorcist directed by David Gordon Green, has proven to be a successful film at the box office, despite receiving mixed reviews from both critics and fans. The return of Ellen Burstyn as the iconic character Chris MacNeil in the new film, heightened expectations among audiences. Green, known for his work in the horror genre, including the recently completed Halloween trilogy, caught the attention of Universal with the box office success of all three films. As a result, he was hired to direct three Exorcist legacy sequels. In a similar approach to Halloween, these sequels would disregard the events of the previous films and take place 50 years after the original classic directed by William Friedkin.

Before his death, Friedkin had expressed criticism of the planned trilogy and consistently threw shade at anyone attempting to replicate the success he achieved with the initial film. Notwithstanding his reservations, the film managed to attract a noteworthy ensemble, joining Ellen Burstyn in the new installment. However, Burstyn was not the sole returning cast member from the original, leaving fans curious about the impending impact of a surprise cameo at the film's conclusion on the future of the franchise.

What happens in the film to bring Linda Blair's Regan back?

The Exorcist: Believer introduces fresh characters and a completely original storyline. Two teenage girls, Angela and Katherine, venture into the woods for a mysterious ritual. They vanish for a duration of three days and inexplicably reemerge in a distant barn. Their strange behavior indicates a sinister possession, prompting Angela's father, Victor, to seek guidance from Chris MacNeil. Chris had previously endured a similar terrifying experience with her daughter Regan, as depicted in the first Exorcist movie.

Chris has written a book about her daughter's possession, but Regan has stopped talking to her as a result. Chris is unsure about Regan's whereabouts and whether she is still alive. Despite this, she agrees to assist Victor, and they decide to visit Katherine, Angela's friend, who is causing paranormal disturbances at the family home. The demon at the house recognizes Chris and mocks her about Regan. Shockingly, the demon ends up attacking Chris by stabbing her eyes with a crucifix. Chris is quickly taken to the hospital, where she remains while preparing for the climactic exorcism.

Towards the end of the film, Chris returns from the hospital where she is still recovering from her injuries. Unexpectedly, Regan visits her mother, potentially offering a chance to reconcile their relationship. The audience is surprised to see Linda Blair reprising her iconic role after stating for years that she would never play the character again. It was later revealed that Linda Blair was involved in the production of The Exorcist: Believer as a consultant and was assisting the two actresses portraying possessed teenagers, drawing from her own experience in the original movie. However, she maintained that she had not been approached to star in the new film.

What could this mean for the direction of the Exorcist franchise?

The shocking conclusion of The Exorcist: Believer sets the stage for an exciting future for the franchise. The highly anticipated release of The Exorcist: Deceiver in 2025, followed by a third installment, holds great promise. While David Gordon Green has kept quiet about Linda Blair's involvement in the sequels, the heartwarming reunion of Chris and Regan in the final moments of the film hints at potential storylines to come.

Although the film primarily centers around new characters, such as Victor and Angela, it cleverly maintains the legacy of the series rather than starting from scratch. The success of legacy sequels heavily relies on the presence of original characters, as exemplified in David Gordon Green's Halloween trilogy, where Laurie Strode remains the core focus.

Chris and Regan re-uniting in The Exorcist's ending can be seen as a form of closure for both characters, providing them with a happy ending. However, if they do not return, it would be a missed opportunity to delve deeper into their stories. While Linda Blair did reprise her role as Regan in Exorcist 2: The Heretic, the movie received negative feedback from critics and failed to do justice to her character in this follow-up to the acclaimed horror film. This new trilogy offers Linda Blair the chance to give Regan the farewell she truly deserves in this franchise, and also assist the next unsuspecting victim. It would be immensely satisfying to witness her confront the demon that possessed her all those years ago, ultimately defeating it once and for all. The potential for this character is boundless, making a sequel centered around Regan a promising direction for the franchise, particularly in light of the mixed reviews garnered by the initial installment. The Exorcist revolutionized the horror genre, and it is vital for the upcoming sequels to pay homage to its legacy.