I have been asked, mostly by my spouse, what it is about the film of "The Exorcist", that drives me to view it multiple times every year. I cannot put it in a nutshell....except to dreamily express the thrill of watching a fantastic tale unfold slowly, from a believable beginning. And, as an agnostic/atheist, I still look upon the ritual and pageantry of Catholicism with admiration and wonder, from a purely artistic and cultural perspective.
All of these elements were first, and beautifully written down in this dark but humanistic novel. The author gratefully acknowledges his education by Jesuits as a major force in his love of learning....and, three very different, lovingly portrayed characters of Jesuit priests are central in "The Exorcist".
The lovely girl, Regan, the Demon, the mother, Chris McNeill, the warm and funny detective, Kinderman...all such well-drawn characters.
See the director's cut of the film, read the book, and be exorcised of the ordinary.