Iffy for 14+
Tense "documentary" has some blood, lots of scares.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that The Last Exorcism is a fictional horror movie shot in documentary style, much like The Blair Witch Project and Paranormal Activity. It's not as relentlessly scary as those R-rated films -- there's a long setup before anything horrific happens -- but once it does get going, it can be very violent and highly disturbing. Though there's some blood and plenty of "jump" scenes, most of the horror is suggested rather than shown, but that actually makes it all the more vivid to the viewer's imagination. There's discussion of a character with a drinking problem, as well as talk of potential rape and incest.
- Families can talk about the film's violence. How much was actually shown? Was it more or less scary not being able to see everything?
- Does the "documentary" format make the film more or less scary?
- Is Cotton Marcus a good person, or is he a bad person who's deceiving people? What does he learn over the course of the film?
The good stuff
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Messages: Despite its subject matter, this isn't a very spiritual film -- but it does find some good things about human beings. A cynical minister who has lost his faith agrees to let a documentary crew film a fake exorcism to prove that demon possession doesn't really exist -- but when his ceremony fails to help the victim, he does stick around to continue to try to help her.
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Role models: Cotton Marcus starts off a bit like a snake oil salesman; he's a minister who has been preaching his whole life but no longer believes in what he says. But when trouble plagues the fake exorcism he sets up for filmmakers to record, he keeps risking his life to try to help the victim. By the end of the film, he comes across as quite heroic and perhaps may have even regained his faith.
What to watch for
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Violence: A teenage boy's face is slashed off screen; viewers see lots of blood. In one scene, Nell borrows the camera and takes it out to the barn, where she proceeds to slaughter a cat; the footage is shaky and not much is visible, but it's still a gruesome scene. There's lots of scary imagery, ranging from violent drawing, to Nell suddenly rushing at the camera. In another scene, she twists her neck and back in unholy directions. She also breaks her own fingers while possessed. Some characters are beaten to death -- the footage isn't entirely clear, but it's very suggestive. The subject of rape is addressed.
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Sex: It's revealed that the teenage Nell is pregnant (it's suggested that the baby is her father's, but later a teenage boy is blamed for the deed).
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Language: "Jesus Christ" is used as an exclamation. Other language includes "damn."
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Consumerism: Not an issue
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Drinking, drugs and smoking: Nell's father is said to be a drunk, though viewers never see any evidence of this.
Fan Reviews provided by
3
not a scary movie at all by geegee49
if u want to be scared then dont go see this movie. like a lot of these reviews say its documentary style. the story to me is interesting but left me with no real conclusion like a lot of people. i like hearing other people's view on religions concerning demons which is why i rated the movie so-so. i think mostly everyone rated this movie a Oh No because when u see the trailer, movie posters, and movie summary you're duped into thinking you're going to be gripping onto your partner during the movie cause its soooo terrifying....and its not terrifying at all. Unsolved Mysteries if u ever watched it back in the day is scarier. Oh well this summer hasnt really had too many good movies unlike last summer. Atleast I got 40% off the tix when i saw this movie :-)
2
Unlike some "oh no's", I do think this movie.... by lovestalentmoviefan
...had a watchable story,and I WAS interested,until the non-conclusion!!!! There was no ending at all,nothing explained! It appears as if they got someone barely involved in the story to film some half-baked activity to take up more minutes,and call it good.WHICH IT WASN'T. I feel incredibly ripped off. The whole theatre did,at least the people around me.Not scary at all. A couple trailer 'lures' left out. It did have potential to be better than BW or PA. I hated PA,but compared to the disappointing ending of this mistake,I would rather see Pa again!. Do Not Waste Your Money.
4
Exactly As Advertised by DJTREE2 The Sequel
The advertising for this film lays out exactly what you get from it, the documentation of a preachers final exorcism. If you watched the trailer, or read any print about it, you would have known that it was... ah, forget about it.
People are bashing this movie because they weren't scared, or because it was "documentary style", or because it was filmed from the first-person. Research your options before going to the theater if you don't want to be disappointed.
The only misleading thing I've seen is the image with Nell seemingly clinging to the walls. In the movie she is atop a bookcase or shelf of some type. The advertise presented the film as a bit of a mystery, and it is. The only thing is it gives you all the answers, but like the good Reverend the movie-goer will likely dismiss them as foolishness.
That's the good thing about this movie, it makes you think and examine your beliefs. The tag line about believing in God and the Devil works well for this film.
1
Do not waste your time... by Havoc571
This is one of those anticipated films that leave you in complete and utter disappointment. There were no guide lines, just something that was written while some one was on the toilet. I was excited at first because it had Eli Roth's name on it but, I was wrong this time. The ending was GOD awful and left your mind thinking WTF? Too many variables to pick how it should have gone and why it would happen if not just the question why? It would be a great thing to take your girlfriend to if you would like her to cuddle and be with you the rest of the night, otherwise there is no point. There are few movies that I hate with a passion and now this one is top of the list, almost as bad as some of M. Night Shamylan's movies. Was completely unreal and the plot was never found...
1
Please stay home - do not even watch on cable by A Stray Dog
I created this account just to try and save one person the waste of time and money I just went through. I went to see this movie with my daughter and she agrees. We were highly disappointed. Many people booing at the end, some even tried to get a refund. I cannot remember a worse movie.
My five word review: WOULDN'T EVEN WAIT FOR CABLE.
Go buy a tank of gasoline and drive around listening to the radio with whoever was going to watch this with you. Go and share a drink, go buy the exorcist, mow your lawn, wash your pet, or your windows - do anything but spend money on this movie.
Stay home.
When it comes on cable, watch lifetime or home shopping network instead. They are both more scary, more interesting and a better use of cable bandwidth.
1
So bad we walked out by lkmolina
We walked out when they killed the cat.
1
I CREATED A FANDANGO ACCT JUST TO WARN YOU HOW CRAPPY THIS MOVIE IS by djsilver
I JUST LEFT THE THEATER AND WAS SO DISAPPOINTED I CREATED THIS ACCT JUST TO TELL YOU WHAT A WASTE OF TIME THIS WAS. MAN, THEY REALLY SUCK YOU IN WITH THE TRAILERS AND THE "CRITICS" LIKE ROLLING STONE AND OTHERS MUST BE ON THE PAYROLLS OF THE BIG STUDIOS OR THEY ARE JUST COMPLETE F-ING RETARDS. SAVE YOUR MONEY AND YOUR TIME. WHERE IS MY DAMN REFUND AND MY 2 WASTED HOURS OF MY LIFE???? SOMEBODY OWES ME!
3
A little disappointing by jennlevi
This movie is not what I expected...Im glad that I didnt pay for the tickets! Its done as a documentary and there wasnt even an exorcism performed and the ending leaves you guessing! Overall it was ok but I liked the others much better!
1
Five Word Review by orangejelibeanz
Number One Comedy ofthe Year
1
Do not waste your time by MzThing0
This movie was a rip off of The Exorcism of Emily Rose, in fact they used the same words during the "exorcism" It also took scenes and ideas from the movie Paranormal Activity and finally Rosemary's Baby. I couldn't wait to see this movie being a big fan of mythology, but after seeing it I was utterly disappointing. Along with several of my friends that I went to see it with, we all decided the movie was not scary and a horrible waste of money!!!!!!!!!!!!!