The “meta” approach can go wrong in so many ways, especially in the horror genre. Sometimes it can be overly cutesy and clever, which ruins the scares. Other times, it can just be an unnecessary gimmick that gets in the way of the suspense. Fortunately for The Exorcism, it enhances the overall experience.
The Exorcism was written and directed by Joshua John Miller, the son of Jason Miller, who famously played Father Karras in The Exorcist. It stars Russell Crowe as an actor named Anthony Miller who is starring in a remake of The Exorcist (which is coyly called “The Georgetown Project). Miller is fresh out of rehab and needs a hit. After filming commences, he soon starts exhibiting odd behavior which leads everyone, including his daughter (Ryan Simpkins) to suspect he’s fallen off the wagon. The truth is, he’s actually been possessed by a demon.
There are various levels of the meta storytelling here. Yes, this kind of “reel” vs. “real” thing isn’t exactly new. Yes, we know Crowe will be battling not only personal demons, but real ones as well. Your tolerance for this sort of thing will depend on your mileage. Film scholars will undoubtedly be looking for nuggets of truth here about the making of the real Exorcist, especially since Miller is so close to the material. However, he wisely keeps the nods to the original to a minimum and keeps the focus on the drama with Crowe. He also delivers a couple of finely tuned jump scares and gives the film plenty of atmosphere. The exorcism finale has a surprising amount of kick to it too.
The fact that Crowe just starred in The Pope’s Exorcist the year before sort of adds to the meta nature, even though this was filmed before. He is very good in both his "down and out" actor mode as well as in his possessed form. Adam Goldberg is amusing doing a watered down Friedkin and Sam Worthington turns up for a bit as Crowe’s younger co-star. It’s David Hyde Pierce who steals the show as a world-weary priest serving as a technical advisor on the movie who must step up and perform the titular rite. It was also cool seeing Miller’s Near Dark co-star Adrian Pasdar popping up as well.
AKA: The Georgetown Project.
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