Top 10 Scariest Exorcist Moments

“The Exorcist” (1973)
It’s a scene that’s been referenced and parodied countless times! The power of this scene has compelled us to watch it again and again. But it remains incredibly haunting! The sight of Regan levitating off the bed is one of the most famous visuals from the original movie. There are also several smaller details that give the scene its chilling effect. For example, a slash appears across Regan’s leg when Father Merrin sprays it with holy water. And the actors’ breaths are visible in the air, thanks to director William Friedkin having cooled the set to −20 °F. As Regan breaks free of her bonds and claws at the air, even Merrin falls silent - speechless in the presence of such great evil.

“The Exorcist” (1973)
When we think of “The Exorcist,” we often think first of the exorcism sequences. But the movie is filled with other creepy moments, and this is undoubtedly one of them. In this scene, Karras and a language specialist listen to an audio recording of the demon speaking. The sound is incredibly unnerving, especially when we learn that it’s actually speaking in English - just in reverse. This is yet another great detail that adds a layer of unearthly surrealism to the possession. And just when we’re sufficiently creeped out, the world’s loudest phone begins to ring, giving us the jump scare of our lives.

“The Exorcist” (1973)
While all the medical professionals in the film are at a loss as to what’s going on with Regan, Dr. Klein gets an up close and personal view of her possession - and it ain’t too pretty. Dr. Klein is rushed over to the MacNeil to address Regan’s latest episode, only to walk in on her violently thrashing about in her bed against her own will. Linda Blair’s fear is palpable in this scene, as the actor was actually injured due to improperly fixed safety equipment. But Regan’s fears become everyone else’s when she backhands the doctor and shows off her new vocal chops. From there, Regan makes some pretty horrendous gestures, at which point Chris can only despair at what her daughter has become.

“The Exorcist” (1973)
A child’s bedroom is supposed to be a safe space. And that’s what makes the demon’s activities in Regan’s room so scary. The first signs of Regan’s possession could be dismissed as psychological. At a party, she urinates on the floor and tells a guest that he’s going to die. But when a troubled Chris puts her to bed, the bed begins violently shaking by itself. “The Exorcist” is masterfully paced, and this is the troubling visual that kicks off far more troubling stages of possession. It’s a boundary of sorts, ending the calm first act and serving as a dire portent for things to come.

“The Exorcist III” (1990)
While most of the attention deservedly goes to the original “Exorcist,” the third is also a surprisingly decent horror flick with its own cache of solid sequences. In this one, Lieutenant William F. Kinderman quietly surveys the patients in a mental health unit. The tension builds throughout the scene, especially when someone spies on the cop through a darkened room. But then comes the really creepy moment - an elderly woman crawling on all fours across the ceiling. It’s a horrifying visual - not only is the concept creepy, but the woman moves with a supernatural speed that’s more akin to a spider. It’s a great visual effect, accompanied by a haunting score.

“The Exorcist” (1973)
After realizing that her daughter is unwell, Chris becomes desperate and takes Regan to the hospital. And it’s here where some of the film’s most iconic scares take place. One sees Regan laying on a bed and opening her eyes in fear before a brief glimpse of the demon Pazuzu flashes across the screen. The face comes out of nowhere, and it’s enough to chill the blood. But perhaps the most infamous sequence is Regan’s angiography. The scene has been praised for its realism but criticized for being too disturbing, especially as it involves a young girl. Author and screenwriter William Peter Blatty has reportedly never watched it, and according to him, it was this scene that upset theatergoers the most.

“The Exorcist” (1973)
As the movie’s title suggests, “The Exorcist” is first and foremost the story of Father Damien Karras - following his crisis of faith and character development in the face of evil. It’s established early that Karras has lost his spirituality, and this is made worse by the death of his mother. In a surreal dream sequence, Karras dreams about her, emerging from a subway station. She mouths some indistinct words before descending back down. The atmosphere is wickedly foreboding, especially thanks to its sound design. It’s an eerily accurate representation of a nightmare.

“The Exorcist III” (1990)
When William Friedkin left “The Exorcist III” during pre-production, author William Peter Blatty got his own chance to direct - and gave us one of the best jump scares in horror history. In a long take that lulls viewers into a false sense of security, a nurse goes about her business in a hallway. The camera placement, drawn out pacing, and lack of sound contribute to a sleepy atmosphere. But that’s when Blatty hits you with a terrifying noise and the sight of a figure wielding shears behind the nurse. It still gets us, even when we know it’s coming!

“The Exorcist” (1973)
It’s crazy to think that the spider walk was cut from the theatrical version. For years, fans debated whether it even existed! Film critic Mark Kermode found the deleted footage in the Warner Bros. archives and it was restored for the director’s cut, released in 2000. It has since become one of the movie’s most famous scenes, and for good reason. The spider walk was performed by stuntwoman Ann Miles, who crawls down the stairs on all fours. And backwards, no less! As if that visual wasn’t scary enough, Regan then screeches and reveals a mouth full of blood.

“The Exorcist” (1973)
If there’s one scene “The Exorcist” is known for, it’s the infamous crucifix sequence. Hearing her daughter’s desperate cries, Chris runs up to Regan’s room - only to find her performing an unspeakable act with a crucifix. She rushes to stop Regan, but the possessed girl slaps her down to the floor. As if that wasn’t disturbing enough, Regan turns her head around to face backwards, accompanied by a sickening crunching noise. The scene’s power to shock endures to this day, so we can only imagine how powerful it was in 1973. It’s an iconic, horrific, and absolutely terrifying sequence.


Which of these scenes terrified you the most? Let us know in the comments below!