The Exorcist - is it actually that scary?

[Anonymous]

When I was a kid I saw this movie and it destroyed my life. I was terrified and slept with the light on - when I slept at all - for probably a couple of years. I'm a naturally anxiety prone person anyway and seeing this movie kicked off a whole series of anxious, obsessive behaviors in me....

Is it really that scary? By today's standards? I'm not a horror film watcher. I'm wondering if I could, pardon the expression, slay my demons if I watched this again and found it silly, bad effects, whatever. Or is it truly as terrifying as I remember?

Thanks!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:When I was a kid I saw this movie and it destroyed my life. I was terrified and slept with the light on - when I slept at all - for probably a couple of years. I'm a naturally anxiety prone person anyway and seeing this movie kicked off a whole series of anxious, obsessive behaviors in me....

Is it really that scary? By today's standards? I'm not a horror film watcher. I'm wondering if I could, pardon the expression, slay my demons if I watched this again and found it silly, bad effects, whatever. Or is it truly as terrifying as I remember?

Thanks!

Yes. But that's just one person's opinion.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:When I was a kid I saw this movie and it destroyed my life. I was terrified and slept with the light on - when I slept at all - for probably a couple of years. I'm a naturally anxiety prone person anyway and seeing this movie kicked off a whole series of anxious, obsessive behaviors in me....

Is it really that scary? By today's standards? I'm not a horror film watcher. I'm wondering if I could, pardon the expression, slay my demons if I watched this again and found it silly, bad effects, whatever. Or is it truly as terrifying as I remember?

Thanks!

Yes. But that's just one person's opinion.

+2

[Anonymous]

I love horror movies. I’d say 7/10 on a scary level. The Ring is the one movie that scared the sh*t out of me when I was in high school and I had to sleep with the tv on for over a week!

[Anonymous]

I'd recommend watching a 2 minute clip of it and see how you react. If it feels campy, watch a little more. Also, don't watch with music. The music always makes me SO tense!

[Anonymous]

Yes, it is actually that scary.

[Anonymous]

I'm almost 50, and I saw it as a kid. Till this day, that is the only horror movie I am still afraid of. I can watch all kinds of horror movies, but that one still scares the beejezus out of me. Maybe it's because I am a religious person. Yes, the effects are a bit cheezy compared to today's standards, but it still no less scary, IMO.

[Anonymous]

Are you me? I watched it alone when I was a tween. I am a cradle Catholic, so the movie was a true story to me. I suffered nightmares for months, prayed the Our Father and Hail Mary non stop and have never forgotten it. I rewatched it when I was in my 20's and a recovered Catholic/agnostic. I may have been stoned. Still scared the living crap out of me. I will never watch it again.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I love horror movies. I’d say 7/10 on a scary level. The Ring is the one movie that scared the sh*t out of me when I was in high school and I had to sleep with the tv on for over a week!

+1 on Ring

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes, it is actually that scary.

I remember hearing that people who saw it in theaters fainted and many ran out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:When I was a kid I saw this movie and it destroyed my life. I was terrified and slept with the light on - when I slept at all - for probably a couple of years. I'm a naturally anxiety prone person anyway and seeing this movie kicked off a whole series of anxious, obsessive behaviors in me....

Is it really that scary? By today's standards? I'm not a horror film watcher. I'm wondering if I could, pardon the expression, slay my demons if I watched this again and found it silly, bad effects, whatever. Or is it truly as terrifying as I remember?

Thanks!

I think it's scary, but regardless, it doesn't really seem worth putting yourself through the trauma of watching it again.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I love horror movies. I’d say 7/10 on a scary level. The Ring is the one movie that scared the sh*t out of me when I was in high school and I had to sleep with the tv on for over a week!

+1 on Ring

Omg the Ring is terrifying and also a great movie. Scared the shit out of me. Still does even though I'm 20 years older.

[Anonymous]

I saw it when I was a kid, too, and I can't bring myself to watch it as an adult. So let us know when you find out, OP.

[Anonymous]

I remember going to see it with my friends during the re-release in the theater and had to hold in my laughter. One of my friends had a similar reaction to you.

So...it's legit scary, but I think the age makes it less scary than it use to be.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:When I was a kid I saw this movie and it destroyed my life. I was terrified and slept with the light on - when I slept at all - for probably a couple of years. I'm a naturally anxiety prone person anyway and seeing this movie kicked off a whole series of anxious, obsessive behaviors in me....

Is it really that scary? By today's standards? I'm not a horror film watcher. I'm wondering if I could, pardon the expression, slay my demons if I watched this again and found it silly, bad effects, whatever. Or is it truly as terrifying as I remember?

Thanks!

Yes. Absolutely. No question. It's not the special effects that make it terrifying - it's the pacing, the music, the plot - the special effects are secondary to all of that.