Butchered by its studio and misunderstood on release, the 1990 horror sequel The Exorcist III hides one of the genre’s most chilling villains, a character who may serve as inspiration for Mike Flanagan’s upcoming franchise revival, The Exorcist: Martyrs. The film, directed by William Peter Blatty, the author of the original novel, has earned cult status over the years and is a prime candidate for revisiting this Halloween.
William Friedkin’s The Exorcist is lauded for its disciplined approach to horror, blending supernatural terror with themes of faith. The Exorcist III adopts a similar tone, exercising restraint until it unleashes its full horror. The film is based on Blatty’s 1983 novel Legion and is set 15 years after the events of the first film. Lt. Kinderman, portrayed by George C. Scott, investigates a series of murders that mirror those of the Gemini Killer, a man executed on the same night Father Karras died saving Regan MacNeil.
The investigation takes a personal turn when Father Dyer is murdered, and the prime suspect is a catatonic patient who has recently awoken claiming to be the Gemini Killer. This patient is revealed to be possessed by the same demon that killed Karras, who is now inhabiting Karras's deceased body and seeking revenge. This premise allows Blatty to explore themes of doubt and mental illness, blurring the lines between possession and psychological breakdown.
The Gemini Killer is uniquely terrifying due to the dual performance of Brad Dourif and Jason Miller. Dourif’s portrayal is theatrical and chilling, with the character exhibiting a disturbing joy while dissecting his murders, even while confined to a straitjacket. The demon also employs morphing voices, shifting between masculine and feminine, old and young, creating an alien and monstrous effect. The film was subject to significant studio interference, leading to reshoots and a climax that Blatty felt compromised his vision. Dourif himself has expressed dissatisfaction with the final cut, calling it a "mediocre film" due to the studio-mandated changes.
Despite these production challenges, The Exorcist III's blend of police procedural and demonic horror, particularly its complex villain, is now recognized for its brilliance. Mike Flanagan's The Exorcist: Martyrs appears to be building upon this foundation, with its trailer hinting at a story that directly engages with the themes and structure of Blatty's sequel. The film is currently streaming on Prime Video.