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The Exorcism of Emily Rose
2005 122 min United States of America PG-13 16+
★5.9
Crime, Drama, Horror, Thriller
Director: Scott Derrickson
Trailers
Description
When a younger girl called Emily Rose dies, everyone puts blame on the exorcism which was performed on her by Father Moore prior to her death. The priest is arrested on suspicion of murder. The trial begins with lawyer Erin Bruner representing Moore, but it is not going to be easy, as no one wants to believe what Father Moore says is true.
Budget:
$19M
US Gross:
$75.07M
Worldwide:
$145.17M
Starring
Laura Linney
Actor
Tom Wilkinson
Actor
Shohreh Aghdashloo
Actor
Awards
Saturn Awards 2006
— Best Horror Film
MTV Movie & TV Awards 2006
— Best Performance in a Horror/Thriller
Saturn Awards 2006
— Best Actress
MTV Movie & TV Awards 2006
— Best Performance in a Horror/Thriller
MTV Movie & TV Awards 2006
— Breakthrough of the Year
Key opinion
The Exorcism of Emily Rose is widely recognized as an unconventional hybrid that blends intense horror with a serious courtroom drama. While opinions differ on whether the film leans too heavily into legal proceedings at the expense of scares, there is a strong consensus regarding the high quality of the performances and the intellectual depth of its inquiry into faith versus science.
| Acting | Jennifer Carpenter’s physically demanding performance as the possessed protagonist is a standout achievement that anchors the film's horror elements. | |
| Originality | The film successfully carves out a unique identity by effectively fusing the supernatural thriller genre with a grounded, contemplative legal drama. | |
| Theme | The script provokes genuine intellectual engagement by forcing the audience to weigh rational medical explanations against spiritual interpretations of suffering. | |
| Direction | The courtroom setting is effectively staged, providing a tense, realistic framework that contrasts sharply with the chilling, atmosphere-driven possession sequences. | |
| Pacing | The shift in focus from traditional horror to courtroom debate is divisive; some find the legal narrative compelling and thoughtful, while others feel it undermines the film's pacing and scare factor. |