Parents' Guide to

The Last Exorcism

By Jeffrey Anderson, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 16+

Tense "documentary" has some blood, lots of scares.

Movie PG-13 2010 87 minutes
The Last Exorcism Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

Community Reviews

age 13+

Based on 9 parent reviews

age 17+

Interesting

I liked it I think it was good. I would to recommend for kids under 16. Umm just as an FYI since it’s not in the view thing. But under violence they do take the baby out of her and throw it in the fire.
age 18+

PASS ON THIS TASTELESS MOVIE FRAUD.

This is a very deceptive, disturbing and psychotic approach to movie making of any kind. It leads anyone to believe it is a documentary but in fact is nothing but a movie pretending to be a documentary. Because of this approach, this movie has absolutely no value except as far as talent goes but just a circus of masters of deception. I don't like fraudulent behavior, misleading information or otherwise deceptive practice of any kind. This is a new door opening up in the movie business that shouldn't be promoted or applauded. What a scam. Just a perfect mirror of the chaotic scam that is escalating in society. Talking about the "Devil, master of Deception" this is certainly a model for that subject to say the least. If it presented itself as a movie mocking a documentary, it still would be short of any entertainment value. The subject matter ranges from a exorcism to violent incest. Not a movie that should be viewed by anyone with any moral compass.

This title has:

Too much violence
Too much sex

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (9):
Kids say (23):

Like The Blair Witch Project and Paranormal Activity before it, THE LAST EXORCISM employs the very effective "fake documentary" format. This elevates the drama to a much more immediate, visceral level, and it also brings a great side effect. All three movies tend to focus on implied horror rather than explicit horror; since that leaves something to the audience's imagination, the result is much more chilling than all the violence and gore in the world.

The movie loses points for being one of the later examples of a now-familiar genre, but it does have a highly charismatic flawed hero in Fabian's Cotton Marcus. Thankfully, the movie gives him enough time to come to life before the scary stuff kicks in. The character's crisis of faith and his curiosity and confidence make him someone worth re-visiting, should there ever be a sequel.

Movie Details

  • In theaters: August 27, 2010
  • On DVD or streaming: January 4, 2011
  • Cast: Ashley Bell, Iris Bahr, Patrick Fabian
  • Director: Daniel Stamm
  • Studio: Lionsgate
  • Genre: Horror
  • Run time: 87 minutes
  • MPAA rating: PG-13
  • MPAA explanation: disturbing violent content and terror, some sexual references and thematic material
  • Last updated: April 22, 2023

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