Tools for this page
Print

Exorcist: The Beginning

(2004, Rated R, Horror, Starring Stellan Skarsgard, James D'Arcy, Remy Sweeney)
  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

    (Flash is loading. If this text does not disappear you need to install the latest flash version)

    Not age appropriate for kids under 16, age appropriate for kids over 18; suggested age 16.
  • Is it any good?

    1.0
  • Common Sense says

    Brutal. Not for kids.

Why We Rated This iffy for Ages 16–18

What to watch out for

  • Messages:

    Characters are racist and misogynist -- and the film shows more vivid violence against Africans.
  • Violence:

    Sickening graphic scenes including hyenas mauling a small child and baby born dead and covered in maggots.
  • Sex:

    The beautiful doctor faces harassment, and sex and violence mix in the final showdown.
  • Language:

    Not too terrible until the very end when a possessed character spews a number of profanities at once.
  • Consumerism:

    Not an issue.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    There's some heavy drinking.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About Exorcist: The Beginning

Parents need to know that from the opening scene of bloody bodies stabbed and crucified across Kenyan soil, viewers are in for a brutal blood bath. Know that there is very graphic violence including a child being mauled by hyenas, a dead baby covered in maggots and someone slitting his throat.

Read our full review by InternLogin

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about violence in horror films. How much is necessary, and how much should be left to the imagination? Are films with more guts and gore scarier than more subtle films?

Want more? Get Common Sense recommendations delivered to your inbox.

Our Members Say

Have you seen it? Review It!

  • What did you think about Exorcist: The Beginning?
  •  I think this movie is

    for ages

  •  I also give it

  •  Any concerns?

  •  Any highlights?

  •  Love it? Hate it?

  • or to post a review

Most Recent Reviews

  1. Kid Reviewer Age 11
    Lives in Maryland
    I rate this title on for age 11 and give it 4.0

    Soz

    Ignore my post below it was the wrong exorcist.

  2. Kid Reviewer Age 11
    Lives in Maryland
    I rate this title on for age 11 and give it 4.0

    good

    I liked the movie but it kinda scared me at one point and i saw it on tv so it probably wasn't as bad as the real movie but it was creepy so little children would have nightmares.

  3. Teen Reviewer Age 14
    Lives in Florida
    I rate this title iffy for age 17 and give it 5.0

  4. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in Ohio
    I rate this title on for age 5 and give it 5.0

  5. Kid Reviewer Age 12
    Lives in Washington
    I rate this title iffy for age 2 and give it 2.0

    boo

    I did not like it at all!

More Great Stuff For Your Kids

  • Now Playing

    Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs

    Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs

    Age-apropriate 3-D food adventure doesn't fully satisfy.

  • Tech Tip

    How to help them think more ... and want less.Making the Sale

    How to help them think more ... and want less.

  • Book of the Week

    Million-Dollar Throw

    Million-Dollar Throw

    Another Lupica sensitive dad/son sports story.

  • Issue Spotlight

    The 10 Most Violent Video Games (And 10 Alternatives)

    The 10 Most Violent Video Games (And 10 Alternatives)

    Our video game experts weigh in.

  • Download This

    The Twilight Saga: New Moon Soundtrack

    The Twilight Saga: New Moon Soundtrack

    Dark, cool tunes OK for kids too young for the movie.

Give Us a Minute, Get a Lot of Common Sense!
  • Age-appropriate best bets for your kids
  • Weekly email alert with the latest picks, reviews & advice
  • Post your own reviews and share them with friends

This will never be displayed to others.
Your email will never be displayed to others.
Your password should be 6-10 characters long.
A screen name protects your privacy
To post a review or comment you must become a Common Sense Member. It's easy!

Set-up your account
This will never be displayed to others.
Your email will never be displayed to others.
Your password should be 6-10 characters long.

Choose a screen name
It will appear when you post your own reviews and recommendations.
A screen name protects your privacy

Tell us your children's ages
You'll see the movies, games, books, shows, music, and sites our editors select just for them. As your children get older, our picks will grow with them!Why we ask for this
We never display your children's names, (or nicknames) to anyone, but you. Providing your children's ages allows us to personalize information on our site, so you get better information, faster.
is
until
(optional)
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
Add another child

We can make Common Sense just right for you. With a little info about you and your family, you'll get the most out of our site.

Set-up your account
This will never be displayed to others.
Your email will never be displayed to others.
Your password should be 6-10 characters long.

Tell us your children's ages
You'll see the movies, games, books, shows, music, and sites our editors select just for them. As your children get older, our picks will grow with them!
Why we ask for this
We never display your children's names, (or nicknames) to anyone, but you. Providing your children's ages allows us to personalize information on our site, so you get better information, faster.
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
Add another child

Choose a screen name
It will appear when you post your own reviews and recommendations
A screen name protects your privacy
Register to add this school to your profile. You'll be able to see and share reviews from parents, teachers, and kids at your child's school.
I'm already a Common Sense member.
Kids under 13 must use a screen name