The Exorcism of Emily Rose

What Is It?

This is a bizarre movie about a court case. It is a standard format. We see the lawyers chosen and hired. Then the case goes on, each side presenting their interpretations of the situation followed by a scene of the event they were describing with the slant of the particular presenter.

This becomes interesting when you find out that the court case is a negligent homicide case against a Catholic Priest. It seems that under the Priest’s council, Emily Rose and family decided that her condition was not epilepsy, but demonic possession. They then stopped her medication in favor of an exorcism…. An exorcism that didn’t work. Soon after, she was dead. And now the priest who tried to save her puts his freedom on the line simply to use the court procedure to tell Emily’s story. A story that is based on a true court case that happened in Germany

How Was It?

I am impressed. This took the indie-film making credo and used it to its highest degree. It used plenty of special effects, but never relied on them. Rather the tense and scary mood of the film relies on its cast, script and director to deliver the goods, with effects added as spice.

This movie takes you to places you may have never wanted to go, but gives you reason and hope for bringing you there. I had read that the goal of writer director Scott Derrickson was to make believers question their beliefs and doubters doubt their doubts… I only know my reaction, but he has a firm shot of making his goal a reality with this film.

Is It Good For Kids?

(Spoiler) It is true that most of the horror effects are similar to those used in “Batman Begins.” With Batman’s “Scarecrow,” similar effects were done much more graphically and intense. But as I mentioned earlier, there was a lot more than special effects going into the horror feel.

(Summary without Spoilers) This is a scary movie and will give kids nightmares.

For a complete breakdown of what is on the screen, check www.ScreenIt.com.

How about Spiritual Issues?

Everything in this movie is a spiritual issue. (Slight Spoiler) The judges final ruling has a lot of Christian symbolism (More of a spoiler) Within the letter that Emily wrote to the priest, she explains that she believes that God is allowing this so that Emily can, sacrificially, show the world that the spiritual realm is real.

(Total Spoiler) In the closing arguments the prosecution asserts that all of this can be explained away by scientific means. The defense then offers a compelling summary of the movie. She explains that whatever you believe, there is either a God or there is not, a devil, angels, demons, or there are not. She tells you that you don’t have to believe everything the way the priest does, but would you consider the idea that there is a supernatural realm. The lawyer and the movie ask us to take some time and just consider: Is it possible that these things exist?

This is a perfect Pre-Evangelical movie.

What Is Your Recommendation?

If you can take creepy, see the movie, bring friends, and plan on going out for dinner afterward because you will have a lot to talk about. (It’s scary, not gory. You will be able to eat.) You are made the jury, now you need to go deliberate.

You can now watch the FULL MOVIE on Hulu!

Tags: baptist, batman, bible, catholic, christian, court, demon, drama, evangelical, exorcism, Germany, god, jail, Jesus, lawyer, murder, possession, pre-evangelical, priest, Scott derrickson, special effects, supernatural, the day the earth stood still