50 years later, ‘The Exorcist’ continues to possess Hollywood’s imagination, reflecting our obsession with evil

The film went on to gross nearly $450 million worldwide. Movie Poster Image Art/Getty Images by Regina Hansen, Boston University When the “The Exorcist” premiered 50 years ago, in December 1973, some theatergoers fainted or broke down in tears. A few even vomited. The film, which cast a young Linda Blair as a girl claiming to be possessed by the devil, was an almost instant success, with moviegoers waiting in line for hours to secure tickets. It went on to gross over US$440 million worldwide. The horror film eventually received two Oscars, for Best Sound and Best Adapted Screenplay. In the 50 years since, the cultural fascination with Satan has persisted. But as religiosity has waned, popular portrayals of Satan have also changed. Rather than embody pure evil, Luciferian characters that are complicated – even likable – have emerged. Cinema’s dance with the devil The devil has never been a stranger to the movies. He appeared as early as 1896, in Georges Méliès’ “The House of the Devil, a three-minute silent film. Just five years before the release of “The Exorcist,” Roman Polanski’s “Rosemary’s Baby” told the story about a young woman, played by Mia Farrow, who was carrying Satan’s...