The Exorcism of Emily Rose

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Alex B @AlexBioni Aug 2 Faith on Trial The Exorcism of Emily Rose is a surprisingly original horror movie. Instead of being just another exorcism film, it blends supernatural horror with a courtroom drama. The acting is strong, especially Jennifer Carpenter as Emily. I liked how the movie lets the courtroom testimony play out, then shows us the events instead of simply telling us. It keeps you questioning whether everything has a supernatural or logical explanation, and I enjoyed hearing both sides argue their case. There are also a few creative camera shots that build the tension. While the premise is unique, both the horror and courtroom elements can be a little cheesy and predictable. At its core, it is still a familiar exorcism story, but the courtroom angle keeps it engaging. If you're expecting nonstop horror, this isn't that kind of movie, and that's okay. See more KarthiK P. @madkarthi Jun 17 It is a very intense and interesting movie. But the story didn't really get deep enough into the actual horror elements or the background. The main character of Emily Rose is played by Jennifer Carpenter. It is totally surprising to see her in this film. I really like the way she acted here. Her physical performance and expressions during the possession scenes are incredible. ​It is definitely an interesting watch. But I went into it expecting a lot of jumpscares throughout the runtime. It does not have that many typical horror scares. Instead it focuses more on the legal court drama side. But it is still okay because the intensity and the standout acting make it worth watching. See more Circus E. @COS.ENT85 Apr 9 Underrated horror film about demon possession 8/10 See more Marco L @decatur555 Mar 23 The Exorcism of Emily Rose has an interesting idea on paper, but in practice it feels far more like a courtroom drama than an exorcism movie, and neither side is strong enough to fully carry it. The performances are solid, especially Laura Linney’s, and there are a few isolated moments with some real unease. But the film spends too much time in legal and philosophical debate without building enough tension, atmosphere, or emotional pull. It wants to be thoughtful about faith, science, guilt, and truth, yet it often feels as if it is stretching a concept that sounds better than it plays. Watchable in parts, but overall rather dry and disappointing See more kish b @RT00429023 Nov 17 ★★★★☆ The Exorcism of Emily Rose is a rare horror film that dares to be both terrifying and thoughtful, blending courtroom drama with genuine supernatural dread in a way that still feels unique twenty years later. Loosely inspired by the real-life case of Anneliese Michel, Scott Derrickson crafts a story that refuses to tell you what to believe. Half the film is a tense legal battle (Laura Linney and Campbell Scott are phenomenal as opposing attorneys), and the other half is pure, skin-crawling possession horror. The exorcism scenes themselves are some of the most viscerally disturbing ever filmed: Emily contorted at impossible angles, speaking in multiple voices, her body battered by forces science can’t explain. Jennifer Carpenter’s performance is flat-out astonishing; she’s terrifying, heartbreaking, and completely committed (those 3 a.m. "demonic episodes" still make me sleep with the lights on). What elevates it above typical possession fare is how seriously it treats faith, doubt, and the gray area between mental illness and something genuinely evil. The final courtroom monologue about choosing how we interpret miracles vs. tragedy still gives chills, and the closing title card revealing what really happened to the priest hits like a punch to the soul. Four stars: one for the scares that still work like hell, one for the performances that sell every second, one for the bold refusal to give easy answers, and one because it somehow made demonic possession feel… tragically human. Smart, scary, and surprisingly respectful. 8/10. Evil is real. Belief is complicated. This movie nails both. ✝️😈⚖️ See more Kyle C @kylekc Nov 7 I went into this thinking it was going to be your standard possession-horror and early on it does give major The Amityville Horror vibes: isolated farmhouse, creeping dread, mysterious priest, etc. The initial mystery around Emily is engaging. What happened to her? What’s real and what’s psychological? That part I liked. The legal-drama angle is also a strong point. The film pits the skeptic lawyer against the believer and makes a reasonably convincing case for both sides, keeping you constantly questioning. I liked the subplot around Erin’s guilt and doubts, especially in relation to her previous trial. It gives the story a useful undercurrent beyond simply “girl is evil-possessed”, though it could have used more fleshing out still. The scenes where Emily is paralysed and contorted are definitely creepy! Not top-tier by any stretch, but effective in context, so props to Jennifer Carpenter for her physical acting there. Where the film falters is the join between the horror and the courtroom story. The horror side feels a bit safe, with jump scares and familiar tropes rather than fresh terror. And while the legal angle is thought provoking, it’s just got such a distinct vibe from the horror side that it feels disjointed. Furthermore, the filmmaking sometimes strikes as amateurish. It’s not awful, but it lacks polish and deeper nuance. Also, I kept thinking the filmmakers should have leaned harder into the atmosphere of it being Halloween (which ends up as more of a passing mention) or something to add to the creep factor. The plot does ask interesting questions: faith vs science, belief vs proof, and the final verdict is a bit of a turn I didn’t expect and, giving the movie some bite. But overall, Emily Rose fails to effectively blend its genres and leaves it pretty forgettable. See more Read all reviews

The Exorcism of Emily Rose

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