58: The Exorcist: This Isn't Mario

Welcome to Everything Trying to Kill You, the comedy podcast that talks about horror movies! In episode 31 about William Friedkin’s film, The Exorcist, your hosts Mary Kay, Mary, and Rachel talk with the incredible author Clay McLeod Chapman, and they answer important questions like these:

What demon voice WOULD NOT work on you? Was this movie scary? Were there any big surprises for you when you watched this movie for the first time? Did you prefer the director’s cut (the “version you’ve never seen”) or the original? Are backbends in general also horrifying for you, or is it just Mary Kay? Why would you pace the narrative so slowly (or would you)? What exactly happened with Father Karras’ mother? Whose story is this? Why set the bookended part in Iraq? Which exorcist is THE exorcist? Does Father Karras’ qualification as a psychiatrist make the events scarier? What was the scariest special effect? What about the ACTUAL murderer? What about the last rites? How does the convention of the movie parallel with that of real-life Catholicism? Have you been to The Exorcism stairs in DC? Why is it important that Reagan is 12 years old? When Reagan comes downstairs during the dinner party… is the demon acting yet? Is it okay that there was an actual teenage girl playing the role of a possessed girl? Why wasn't Mercedes McCambridge credited for her vocal performance? Is Father Karras the anchor? Why is he a boxer? On a 1-to-10, how glad were you that the origins weren't in Ancient Egypt, but in a historically plausible place? How does Father Merrin die? Was the production actually cursed? 

The Exorcist (1973)– Directed by William Friedkin and written by William Peter Blatty. Performances by Linda Blair,  Ellen Burstyn, Max von Sydow, Jason Miller

Genre: Horror, Supernatural, Thriller, Suspense, Exorcism

Where to watch: Amazon Prime (for free!)

Summary: A visiting actress in Washington, D.C., notices dramatic and dangerous changes in the behavior and physical make-up of her 12-year-old daughter. Meanwhile, a young priest at nearby Georgetown University begins to doubt his faith while dealing with his mother's terminal sickness. And, book-ending the story, a frail, elderly priest recognizes the necessity for a show-down with an old demonic enemy. Written by Andrew Harmon  

Links: 

Buy The Remaking by our lovely guest, Clay McLeod Chapman
Let’s talk about The Rite by Matt Baglio, if you want to know more about exorcisms.
Check out the original trailer for The Exorcist!
Buy your host Mary Kay McBrayer's book, America's First Female Serial Killer