The Exorcist III (1990)
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A detective investigates a series of gruesome murders linked to a deceased serial killer and a priest's past.
The story
Fifteen years after the events of the first film, Lieutenant William F. Kinderman investigates a series of bizarre and gruesome murders in Georgetown. The crimes bear the hallmarks of the Gemini, a serial killer who was executed years prior. As Kinderman delves deeper into the investigation, he discovers that the murders are linked to the death of Father Damien Karras. The investigation leads him to a psychiatric ward where he encounters a patient who claims to be the Gemini Killer, suggesting a supernatural connection between the current violence and the past possession of Regan MacNeil.
Full plot (contains spoilers)
In Georgetown, fifteen years after Regan MacNeil's exorcism, Father Joseph Dyer and Lieutenant William F. Kinderman reminisce about Father Damien Karras. A series of murders occurs, including a youth whose head is replaced with a statue's head and a priest who is decapitated. Kinderman discovers the murders match the modus operandi of the executed Gemini Killer. Dyer is murdered and his blood is collected in bottles. Kinderman visits a psychiatric ward and meets a patient who claims to be the Gemini Killer; the patient is actually Damien Karras, possessed by the Gemini Killer. Kinderman learns that the victims are linked to the Regan MacNeil case. It is revealed that 'The Master' (Pazuzu) took the spirit of the Gemini Killer and placed it in Karras's body as revenge for the Regan exorcism. The Gemini Killer uses other patients to commit murders. Eventually, Father Paul Morning arrives to perform an exorcism. During the ritual, 'The Master' takes over Karras's body, mutilating Morning. Kinderman attempts to euthanize Karras, but Karras briefly regains free will and begs Kinderman to shoot him. Kinderman kills Karras, freeing him from both the Gemini Killer and Pazuzu. The film ends with Kinderman and Sergeant Atkins watching Karras's funeral.
- First release year
- 1990
- Runtime (minutes)
- 110
- Production countries
- United States
- Original languages
- English
- Directors
- William Peter Blatty
- Writers
- William Peter Blatty · screenplay
- Cast and characters
- George C. Scott · Lieutenant William F. Kinderman; Ed Flanders · Father Joseph Dyer; Jason Miller · Damien Karras (Patient X); Scott Wilson · Dr. Temple; Nicol Williamson · Father Paul Morning; Brad Dourif · James Venamun (The Gemini Killer)
- Genres
- supernatural; psychological horror
- Themes
- Faith; Possession; Revenge; Justice
- Tone and mood
- Haunting; Intense; Literary; Chilling
- Premise and plot tags
- Supernatural Horror; Crime Thriller; Religious Horror; Serial Killer
- Source material / true-story basis
- Legion (1983 novel)
- Franchise connections
- The Exorcist
- Reception
- The film received mixed reviews from critics but gained a cult following over time and is now largely considered the best sequel of the franchise.
- Reported review scores
- Rotten Tomatoes · score: 60% · review count: 47; CinemaScore · score: C · scale: A to F
- Awards and nominations
- Saturn Award · Best Supporting Actor · Nomination; Saturn Award · Best Horror Film · Nomination; Golden Raspberry Award · Worst Actor · Nomination (Loss)
- Production trivia
- The Gemini Killer was based on the real-life Zodiac Killer.; The film became a focal point of the trial of serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer.; The film was originally intended to be a standalone adaptation of the novel Legion.
Film metadata comes from the open sources listed in Credits & Contact. Catalogue details may be incomplete.
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