One of the most well known horror films has made its way to television just in time for Halloween. “The Exorcist” on FOX mimics the terrifying 1973 film with a modern day twist. 

Said to be the greatest horror film ever made, “The Exorcist” broke box office ratings when it was released and frightened audiences across the nation in 1973. 

Loosely based on true events, a young girl named Regan MacNeil, begins to experience levitation and speaking in tongues. Her mother seeks medical attention for her daughter, but a local priest believes she is possessed by the devil. 

The priest then asks the Catholic church for permission to perform an exorcism. This horrifying film was nominated for several academy awards, winning two. Four decades later, it has passed its legacy down to a TV series.

Set in Chicago 40 years after the events shown in the original film, the audience is introduced to two very different priests. The priests are polar opposites of each other, but they share the same goal; helping the Rance family. 

Angela Rance (Geena Davis) feels that there is a presence in her home. After hearing voices in the walls as well as odd things occurring around the house, she seeks help from Father Thomas (Alfonso Herrera). 

Although this particular line of work is out of his league he reaches out to a man who appears in his recurring dreams, Father Marcus. Father Marcus is antipodes to Father Thomas. He is a priest gone rogue after an incident that occurred while performing an exorcism.

The first few episodes were very surprising and have already thrown in some plot twists. The show goes back and forth from the lives of both priests to the lives of the Rance family. Not only are we introduced to the priests, but we also become familiar with the Rance family. 

The Rance family is comprised ofAngela Rance, her two daughters Katherine (Brianne Howey) and Casey Rance (Hannah Kasulka) along with her husband Henry Rance (Alan Ruck). The audience gets a sense of how things used to be in the the Rance family prior to Katherine’s accident and Henry’s head injury. 

As well as how they are dealing with their more recent difficulties and possible demonic presence who has latched itself onto one of their children.

Director Rupert Wyatt, known mostly for his direction for “Rise of the Planet of the Apes” and “The Gambler,” intends to make some connections back to the original film. 

Within the first few episodes he makes reference to the film, but plans to make the show its own thrilling experience. Davis originally starred in “Beetlejuice” and “Stuart Little” and delivers a much more powerful performance in this role compared to any other role she’s played. The audience can really feel her fear for what is happening and what may happen next.

The realistic sound effects of snapping bones and ripping flesh make it difficult for the audience not to cringe or even shudder away from the screen. The demonic voices make one feel like they’ve entered the seventh level of hell. However, the plot of each episode keeps us wanting more. It isn’t long until we uncover our eyes and are pulled right back into the gruesome, horrifying, yet oddly enjoyable show.