‘Exorcist’ update a fine character study

Ever since William Peter Blatty’s “The Exorcist” shocked the film-going world in 1973, the concept of exorcism was dragged kicking into the spotlight. One can currently speculate that it would take perhaps the quartering of an infant to garner that type of gasp-inducing sentiment among our ever increasingly desensitized populace, but in 1973, it was creepy stuff. Last week’s release, “The Last Exorcism,” was going to have a very tough road to travel if it hoped to make waves among the jaded horror film faithful.

“The Last Exorcism” is a supposed documentary focusing on one Cotton Marcus (Patrick Fabian). An evangelical minister, a showman and a troubled soul, Marcus has decided to invite a film crew to follow him on an exorcism. Groomed from an early age to preach, Rev. Marcus views the work he has performed as a service rather than a scam. He feels that the ends have justified the means and that he has been able to deliver peace to troubled souls.

Marcus and the crew, comprised of cameraman Daniel (Adam Grimes) and sound tech Iris (Iris Bahr), pick a random letter from the reverend’s P.O. box requesting help in the form of an exorcism. The group sets out for the Sweetzer farm to collect its footage, and equally as important, to collect the payment for services rendered. The film has a great backstory and strong casting. This carries it through what some horror fans may view as a slow beginning. As in “The Exorcist,” we are dealing with a main character, a man of God, going through a crisis of faith. He is flawed, but at the root of it all, a good man. It gives a small glimpse into the culture of evangelical Christianity in the South and the showmanship required of a good preacher to keep the crowds coming in. For as the reverend himself alludes to in the film, the church does not run on faith alone.

Upon arrival, this unlikely triumvirate find a family suffering from the recent loss of its mother. The son, Caleb (Caleb Landry Jones), hides behind a cloak of sarcasm. The father, Louis (Louis Herthum), has handed his life over to a very severe form of Christianity and home schools daughter Nell (Ashley Bell) in order to keep her from the evils of the outside world. Bloody clothing points to Nell as the perpetrator of recent livestock mutilations, and Louis wants his daughter exorcised. The innocent 16-year-old is not aware of visiting any of these horrors upon the farm’s beastly residents, and her eyes convey a true cry for help. The reverend obliges. However, his best intentions and desire to show the true face of exorcism lead to more and ghastly scenarios placing all in the way of harm until finally there is no true answer, only more questions.

“The Last Exorcism” is a frightening ride. Arrival at the final destination could have been stronger, but it does not detract from the overall work. Excellent script and direction coupled with some “Blair Witch”-inspired camera work culminate in several fulfilling high-tension scenes. Ultimately, just as in the “The Exorcist,” it is the story of a preacher. Fabian’s Marcus is a study in troubled faith. It is a surprisingly complex character to be found in what could have been just another shallow horror film. Despite several scenes of true savagery, the film is a strong study of all the characters involved.

Though definitely not for all, “The Last Exorcism” delivers as promised. It is a fascinating journey with Rev. Marcus as he learns that the faith he follows is not black and white, but rather many shades of gray. Father Karras, Scranton’s own Jason Miller, couldn’t have done it any better himself.

Rating: W W W