Editor’s Note: The following contains spoilers for The Exorcism.
The Big Picture
In The Exorcism, Russell Crowe’s troubled actor Tony becomes possessed while shooting a demonic horror film, leading to intense supernatural chaos on set. The demon Molech preys on Tony’s traumatic past, invoking eerie Catholic imagery to fuel his possession. Tony must confront inner demons and banish Molech to save his daughter and find redemption in a hopeful ending.
An Homage
Joshua John Miller’s The Exorcism may not officially be a canonical entry in the influential Exorcist franchise, but it’s clearly a respectful homage. The movie follows the filming of the fictional horror film “The Georgetown Project,” which seems to follow a very similar plot to 1973’s The Exorcist. When the film’s lead actor Adrian Pasdar falls to his death on set under suspicious circumstances, he is quickly replaced by troubled actor Tony Miller (Russell Crowe). Tony steps into the role of a priest hired to exorcise a demon out of a teenage girl’s body. As “The Georgetown Project” begins filming, the set is plagued by paranormal activity no one can explain, mirroring decades of rumors around allegedly cursed sets like those of The Omen and The Exorcist. A diabolical spirit looms over this shoot with a particular interest in Tony.
Troublesome Beginnings
The film opens with the lead actor of “The Georgetown Project” being attacked by an unseen force, causing him to fall to his death off the top of the film’s set. Replacing the lead is washed-up but now sober action star Tony Miller, a traumatized widower with a strained relationship with his rebellious teenage daughter Lee (Ryan Simpkins). Director Peter (Adam Goldberg) believes that Tony’s real-life struggles will translate successfully into his role. The stakes are high; Tony lands the role and forces his recently suspended daughter Lee on as a P.A., where she instantly connects with young actress Blake (Chloe Bailey), who plays the possession victim in the film-within-a-film.
A Strain On Set
The audience learns that Tony suffered abuse from a priest when he was an altar boy. This explains his frosty first meeting with the film’s cleric consultant, Father Conor (David Hyde Pierce), even on day one. While sitting in makeup, he gets a nosebleed and flashbacks of traumatic childhood memories flood him. Later at home, Tony starts behaving strangely; his disturbing performances prompt increasing directorial abuse and bizarre behavior at home. Lee blames it on stress and medication lapses until it becomes clear Tony’s behavior cannot be so easily explained—Tony has become possessed.
Molech: The Ancient Demon
The crew confronts Molech, deeply associated with child sacrifice. Molech’s iconography is ubiquitous throughout the film: bull-headed figures holding children appear frequently. The association between Molech and Catholic Church abuse history is hinted at through flashbacks and traumatic memories Tony faces under possession.
Descent Into Possession
Before Tony ever steps foot on set, there’s already demonic activity. Cast and crew debate Tom’s mysterious death but later find his script covered in ominous symbols, foreshadowing further disturbances. Tony’s possession coincides with traumatic childhood flashbacks linked deeply with Molech’s influence.
Tony’s Struggle And Redemption
Eighteen days into shooting, demonic possession is in full force. Peter exploits Tony’s trauma for dramatic effect which triggers further supernatural chaos and violence. Lee discovers Tony in full possession mode on set and gains an upper hand by attacking him with a cross.
Father Conor awakens and challenges the demon to inhabit him instead. This transference ultimately frees Tony, who then invokes saints and strikes Molech down with a cross—vanquishing him permanently.
This defeat leads to a potentially bright future as Tony reconciles his relationship with Lee.
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