The Exorcist

On-set accidents, accusations of satanism, and the deaths of crew members gave the adaptation of William Peter Blatty’s novel a reputation as a cursed production. The Exorcist hypnotizes and unnerves from its very first shot, revealing that evil can lurk anywhere – even within the body of an innocent girl. Something disturbing is happening to Regan, the daughter of renowned actress Chris MacNeil. She spews obscenities, becomes violent, and her convulsing body seems to be controlled by an unknown force. When doctors are powerless to help, her mother turns to the titular exorcist. To this day, Friedkin terrifies audiences with exceptional precision, proving that the devil is in the details – and in the patient construction of tension. Masterful use of light, nauseatingly realistic practical effects, and Linda Blair’s demonic makeup cement the film’s timeless status. No horror film has yet surpassed The Exorcist in the number of Oscar nominations it received (8).

Daria Sienkiewicz

William Friedkin (1935–2023) was one of the most influential American filmmakers, a master of action and horror cinema. His breakthrough, The French Connection (1971), won five Academy Awards and revolutionized the action genre with its raw aesthetic and dynamic editing. The Exorcist (1973) redefined horror, becoming one of the most iconic films of all time. In Sorcerer (1977) and Cruising (1980), he explored tension, paranoia, and moral ambiguity. His uncompromising style and realistic storytelling cemented his status as a defining voice in modern cinema.