Fan Fest News

News for Fans, By Fans!

Fan Fest Takes a First Look at ‘The Exorcist’ Coming Soon to Fox

Every soul is a battlefield

Fear not horror fans; your favorite scary movie is safe! The Exorcist, premiering on Fox on September 23rd is terrifying, attention grabbing, and full of moments that make you jump out of your seat; but it is not an attempt to outdo or replicate the 1973 classic film – it’s got a presence of its own.

When chatter spread about Fox premiering a television show coined The Exorcist it was greeted with mixed emotions. Some fans were excited and curious at the prospect of taking such a classically horrifying story and turning it into a series. Others were almost outraged thinking this was an attempt at duplicating the horror film to end all horror films and they had no desire to mess with cinematic greatness.

The truth is, after experiencing the pilot episode of The Exorcist, you’re guaranteed to be blown away. It’s not just the incredible cast and the dedication to their characters, the twists and turns in the plot, but more-so the fact that it is absolutely not reminiscent of the original film – except in the ways it has to be.

Not only are there fresh aspects to this series; like two priests and seemingly more than one possession, there is a new type of horror brought in that mirrors social changes from the 1970s to now. It bares the question, is it possible that a demon isn’t always an obvious evil force, but sometimes hides deeply within a loving spirit, only showing its evil to taunt and to tease? Is it possible that even those who attend church on Sunday and shake the hands of a priest can have a demon at the root of their soul?

Alongside Father Tomas and the Rance family you see that these questions have answers far more complex than they’re prepared to handle, especially when the priest himself is worried he’s still not heard his true calling. These layers, and more, begin to be exposed as another storyline is intricately woven into the mix. Another priest, Father Marcus is seen in Mexico calling demons out of the living and waging a war within himself in the process. Should he live by the strict code of the Vatican or step outside the lines to try to truly save a life?

The deeply rooted emotion in every character, from the priests to the family members and even the lesser focused on characters is fear; fear of losing loved ones, losing oneself, and the fear of being wrong about everything they’ve ever known.

THE EXORCIST: L-R: Geena Davis and Alfonso Herrera in THE EXORCIST coming soon to FOX. ©2016 Fox Broadcasting Co. Cr: Chuck Hodes/FOX
THE EXORCIST: L-R: Geena Davis and Alfonso Herrera in THE EXORCIST coming soon to FOX. ©2016 Fox Broadcasting Co. Cr: Chuck Hodes/FOX

The fear for viewers seems to evolve differently for each person which is what makes The Exorcist easily one of the scariest television shows ever made. Some viewers will find themselves in the strong but troubled mother, the father who has lost the core of himself, the sister who looks like she has it altogether or the one who is visibly falling apart. They may mirror the priest who fears he’s spent so much time doing the wrong thing or the one who feels like no matter how hard he tries, he won’t ever truly fulfill his purpose.

From the beginning of this episode to the very last scene, viewers are taken for an absolute rollercoaster ride of emotion.  The sounds in the walls of the home, the exorcism taking place in a dream sequence that actually turns out to be a series of flashbacks that connect the lives and souls of both priests, and the several spirits who appear to be touched by a darker evil than anyone has known will reel in any horror fan and have them wanting more; and this is only the first episode.

Regardless of the reason you tune in each week, The Exorcist is a show you’ll feel compelled to keep watching, not only because of the characters and their deeply woven inner struggles and not just because the fear from the series is almost tangible; but because of the pieces of yourselves you find alongside the journey the characters themselves are on.

Tune in to Fox on September 23rd at 9 pm and be prepared to embark on one of the scariest storylines ever brought to television.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *