Summary
- The Exorcist: Believer is a direct sequel to the original film, featuring the return of Ellen Burstyn as Chris MacNeil.
- The trailer reveals that the sequel will explore a synchronized double possession storyline, setting it apart from the original.
- By combining new and old concepts, The Exorcist: Believer aims to honor the legacy of the original while delivering a unique and interesting horror experience.
The Exorcist: Believer trailer reveals the return of Ellen Burstyn as Chris MacNeil. From the Halloween trilogy director David Gordon, the latest entry in The Exorcist franchise looks to stand out from past installments by serving as a direct sequel to the original 1973 movie. Other than Burstyn reprising her role as Chris MacNeil for the first time, which has increased anticipation for the film, The Exorcist: Believer cast also includes Hamilton's Leslie Odom Jr., The Handmaid's Tale's Ann Dowd, and country music star Jennifer Nettles.
Now, Universal has released the official trailer for the horror sequel ahead of The Exorcist: Believer release date later this year. Check it out below:
At three minutes long, the trailer reveals the basic premise of the sequel as two girls, Angela (Lidya Jewett) and Katherine (Olivia Marcum), disappear in the woods for three days and return possessed by a demonic spirit with no memory of what happened to them. Desperate to find a cure, Angela’s father Victor (Odom, Jr.) seeks help from a familiar face who had a similar experience, Chris MacNeil, the mother of the demonically possessed Regan from the original Exorcist.
How The Exorcist: Believer Will Set Itself Apart From The Original
The Exorcist has exerted a significant influence on popular culture and is widely regarded as one of the best horror films ever made. However, its sequels have failed to live up to the original, especially Exorcist II: The Heretic, which is conversely considered one of the worst horror films ever made. As a direct sequel to the original, The Exorcist: Believer is tasked with honoring its lofty legacy while also setting itself apart from the original uniquely. The Exorcist: Believer trailer reveals it will attempt to accomplish that with a synchronized possession.
While the original film focused on Regan's possession, The Exorcist: Believer will introduce the idea of a synchronized double possession. In the trailer, Angela and Katherine's hearts even beat in perfect synchrony. However, the demon possessing the two girls seems to be the same one from the original, Pazuzu, since Chris tells the possessed Katherine, "We've met before." With this combination of new and old concepts, The Exorcist: Believer should be able to set itself apart while also honoring the original film when it releases in theaters on October 13.
Source: Universal
