Common Sense Media Review
Demons and more scary stuff in uninspired but fun remake.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 15+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
The Exorcist
What's the Story?
In THE EXORCIST, Father Tomas Ortega (Alfonso Hererra) is the dedicated, compassionate leader of a suburban church. When parishioner Angela Rance (Geena Davis) confronts him with her suspicions of a demonic presence in her home, he reluctantly investigates. At first, it appears that Angela's problems are quite ordinary. Her husband's (Alan Ruck) dementia strains familial bonds while her older daughter, Katherine (Brianne Howey), deals with survivor's guilt in the wake of a fatal car accident. Before Tomas can dismiss Angela's claims entirely, he receives what he believes to be a divine message, pointing him to Father Marcus Keane (Ben Daniels). Upon meeting him, Tomas realizes that Marcus' recent experience in failing to exorcize a demon from a little boy has been haunting his own dreams. When Tomas actually witnesses the demonic entity in Angela's house, Marcus is drawn to try to help him rid her family -- and the world -- of an evil that's responsible for both of the possessions.
Is It Any Good?
This continuation of a tale that's already spawned two film sequels is well made and acted but doesn't offer anything new to audiences familiar with exorcism stories. In the 1973 film this series uses as a jumping-off point, audiences were shocked by the graphic depiction of a young girl's deterioration under demonic possession; critics were shocked that a horror film could be so well made. Over the years, The Exorcist has become even more revered.
The shock value of the brief, but intense, possession scenes will probably hold appeal for teen fans of the horror genre. Geena Davis and Alan Ruck are both solid actors that elevate the pretty paint-by-numbers plot. These characters and their relationships with each other are the strongest part of the series, which does address issues of morality and responsibility. Younger viewers may find The Exorcist unsettling, as the demons primarily attack the young, and authority figures can't help as much as they'd like.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how conditions such as dementia and mental illness were once attributed to demonic possession. When did medical science finally reveal the real explanations for these afflictions? Why do people believe in the supernatural?
Families can also talk about watching scary TV shows and movies. Is it fun? Or does it give you nightmares? Why do different people respond differently to scary stuff?
TV Details
- Premiere date : September 23, 2016
- Cast : Alfonso Herrera , Ben Daniels , Hannah Kasulka , Brianne Howey , Kurt Egyiawan , Alan Ruck , Geena Davis
- Network : Fox
- Genre : Drama
- Topics : Fantasy
- TV rating :
- Last updated : October 1, 2025
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by
Suggest an Update
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate