Early Exorcist: Believer reactions are in, and according to a report from World of Reel, the film had a less-than-stellar showing in front of test audiences.
What were early reactions to Exorcist: Believer?
In the report, it’s mentioned that early reactions for David Gordon Green’s planned sequel to the horror classic have been “not good.” A screening took place this week in New York City, and according to both the report and other insiders on Twitter, audiences didn’t like the film whatsoever. Most early reactions seem to suggest the film is too long and “not scary.”
While the film isn’t set to release for some time, early testing being as bad as it is alleged to be isn’t great. Still, both reports note that potential reshoots could help salvage the film, which did feature “one excellent jump scare” according to Twitter user and insider ViewerAnon.
The Exorcist: Believer serves as a direct sequel to the original horror feature, which was adapted from William Peter Blatty’s novel. Halloween’s David Gordon Green directing from a screenplay he is co-writing with Scott Teems, Danny McBride, and Peter Sattler.
Oscar-winner Ellen Burstyn is returning to the franchise for the upcoming films, reprising her iconic role as Chris MacNeil over 40 years since the original film debuted in 1973, for which she received an Oscar nomination for Best Actress. Joining Burstyn are Oscar nominee Leslie Odom Jr. (Hamilton, One Night in Miami), Emmy winner Ann Dowd (The Handmaid’s Tale), Raphael Sbarge (Once Upon a Time), Jennifer Nettles (Harriet), and newcomers Lidya Jewett and Olivia Marcum.
The sequel is produced by Jason Blum, David Robinson, and James Robinson, with Green, McBride, Couper Samuelson, and Stephanie Allain executive producing. It is a co-production between Blumhouse and Morgan Creek Production, with Ryan Turek overseeing the project on behalf of Blumhouse.
The original The Exorcist centered around the sudden demonic possession of a 12-year-old girl named Regan (Linda Blair) after encountering an old Ouija board. In a last attempt to save Regan, two Roman Catholic priests (Max von Sydow and Jason Miller) are enlisted to conduct an exorcism on her.