The Exorcist: Believer (2023)

Time to conclude the 'Exorcist' franchise... for now... with a look at the controversial, poorly-received legacy sequel helmed by David Gordon Green. Is this a misunderstood masterpiece, or another 'Halloween Ends'? For that matter, was 'Halloween Ends' a misunderstood masterpiece? It's hard to get a handle on Green--but that doesn't mean we're not going to try.

Look, we all knew it had to come to this eventually. A parody of 'The Exorcist' starring Linda Blair herself, opposite none other than Leslie Nielsen as the priest who exorcised her, with color commentary by pro wrestler and future Governor of Minnesota Jesse 'The Body' Ventura? How could anyone possibly resist? So yes, let's all see Linda Blair get 'Repossessed', as the Devil comes back for another round and tragedy becomes comedy becomes farce.

So after making a prequel to 'The Exorcist', hating the movie you got, and having it totally reshot only to see your revised and revamped version bomb at the box office, what else is there to do? Well, for the producers at Morgan Creek, there was always the option of releasing the first version of the prequel you made and seeing if people liked that any better. So let's look into Paul Schrader's initial version of the 'Exorcist' prequel, with the same Father Merrin but a whole host of changes, and see how this one turned out.

Oh look--we're back in Amityville again! But this time we've gone back in time a little, Walkmans and 80s cars and Blondie posters notwithstanding, to take a look at the horrifying crimes that caused the Lutzes so much trouble. So join me and Tommy Lee Wallace and a host of non-union crew members from Italy as we tackle a fictionalized version of the DeFeos and all the horrors they endured!

Just to clarify - this was the 'Exorcist' prequel that was made second but released first, not the 'Exorcist' prequel that was made first but released second. Who directed it? What was the antagonist? Did I Don't Know play third base? All these questions and more will be answered in the latest episode of Half Price Horror!

It's always the same with kids these days, isn't it. "Aww gee Dad, can't I have just one more exorcism before bed?" "Okay, but this is the Last Exorcism." And then they get up five minutes later and they're insisting they're still possessed. Sure, it's cute, but you can't wait until they grow out of it....none of that is related to the 2010 mockumentary 'The Last Exorcism', but don't worry--you've got a whole episode on that to listen to! So tell your kids to go back to bed and have their exorcism in the morning, and listen to Half Price Horror!

"I remember a rose... and falling down a long flight of steps." So begins William Peter Blatty's endeavor to sequelize his own novel, and it's safe to say it's an attempt that bears the distinctive stamp of its creator. So what does that mean? Well, listen to the episode and you'll find out!

Look, when it came to calling people in the 80s there were only two options--the Ghostbusters, and 976-EVIL. This is the movie about the folks who picked wrong, and if you want a fun campy silly 80s horror schlock spectacular then this is the film for you!

The deep dive into the 'Exorcist' franchise continues, with underloved and underseen sequel 'Exorcist II: The Heretic' getting its time to shine! Is it a misbegotten failure to replicate the grim intensity of the original, or is it actually a pretty typical 70s sci-fi thriller with the era's usual emphasis on ESP, paranormal powers, and the next step in human evolution? Time for you to take a listen and find out!

Naturally, this is a podcast that embraces all the various incarnations and aspects of Elvira, Mistress of the Dark. So rather than get mired in 80s nostalgia forever, Half Price Horror is taking a look at the 2010s incarnation of the Movie Macabre and a 1971 movie Elvira covered for it, the infamous exploitation cheapie 'I Eat Your Skin'!