This Underrated ’90s Horror Sequel Will Haunt You—Stream It Free Now!

by

There’s a compelling case that “The Exorcist” directed by William Friedkin is the best horror movie ever made, and it’s also one of the greatest films overall. Given its exceptional quality, it might be understandable for someone not to attempt watching any of its sequels. This skepticism intensifies when we consider the poor reception that “Exorcist II: The Heretic,” directed by John Boorman, rightfully received. To make matters worse, the two versions of the prequel are dull, and even David Gordon Green, who had recently done a fantastic job with his “Halloween” trilogy, couldn’t bring justice to “The Exorcist.” In this way, “The Exorcist,” despite being a singular masterpiece, has faced numerous challenges in transforming into a successful franchise, much like how “Jurassic Park” struggled.

Actually, it’s worth noting that there is an exceptional sequel to the movie “The Exorcist” that remains largely unnoticed and underrated.

What Is The Exorcist III About?

15 years following the MacNeil home incidents, Detective William F. Kinderman finds himself drawn back into an investigation that hints at supernatural involvement. Previously portrayed by Lee J. Cobb in the initial film, George C. Scott takes on the role of Kinderman in this sequel. The case appears to involve a resurrected serial killer, who continues to terrorize the living.

Previously comatose in a mental health facility, a patient now exhibits clarity and insists he’s the infamous serial killer, called the Gemini Killer. As more of his fellow patients mysteriously disappear, Detective Kinderman is increasingly persuaded by what he had once deemed unimaginable.

As a movie buff, I’ve got to say that the events in this hospital are getting weirder by the minute! It’s not just Patient X who seems to be possessed by the infamous Gemini Killer; it appears there are others too. And to make matters worse, one of these possessions has taken a shocking turn – attacking Kinderman’s family.

To add fuel to the fire, there’s something eerily familiar about Patient X – he reminds me of Father Damien Karras. You know, the guy who took a tumble from a window fifteen years ago following that ill-fated exorcism? It’s like I’m watching a twisted replay of history repeating itself.

What Makes The Exorcist III Such a Terrifying Gem?

In most cases, when a sequel or follow-up tries to resemble the primary event from the original film, it often fails to deliver. For example, the presence of Linda Blair in Exorcist II seemed less about developing her character and more about attracting audiences. Similarly, like other elements of the movie, Regan MacNeil’s role in it was puzzling and inconsistent with the storyline.

As a devoted movie enthusiast, I’d like to introduce you to William Peter Blatty, the brilliant mind behind the novel that ignited the flame for the original film. But his contribution doesn’t stop there; he also penned the script for Friedkin’s adaptation. His creative prowess didn’t rest there either, as he wrote another powerful novel titled “Legion“, which later served as a significant inspiration for “The Exorcist III“. Guess who was not only responsible for the screenplay but also stepped behind the camera to direct this masterpiece? You guessed it – the inimitable William Peter Blatty.

In a second and final directorial stint, following a decade since his previous venture with “The Ninth Configuration”, William Peter Blatty returned to the helm for “The Exorcist III”. Similar to its predecessor, this third “Exorcist” film is often overlooked (though “The Ninth Configuration” can drag in certain parts), yet it remains underappreciated. The one area that falters slightly is the forced exorcism sequence towards the end of the movie.

However, the version of the movie with the third-act exorcism scene wasn’t the one that William Peter Blatty originally envisioned. On the contrary, he was unhappy that the studio compelled him to include aspects that made it more like the famous 1973 film. Despite these differences, they don’t fundamentally change the viewing experience. In fact, most viewers actually favor the cinematic release version.

In the Director’s Cut, Brad Dourif is the sole actor portraying “Patient X,” whereas in the original release, both Dourif and Jason Miller play the role. This dual casting might seem confusing, but it doesn’t detract significantly from the overall experience. Notably, both versions of the film boast one of the scariest jump scares ever seen on screen.

Watch the theatrical version of “The Exorcist III” on Tubi for free. If you’re interested in the Director’s Cut titled “Legion,” Scream Factory’s Blu-ray offers an affordable option and attempts to reintroduce footage that was previously believed to be lost.

Read More

2025-04-06 05:40