The Exorcism of Emily Rose: Rating: 1 star

A young woman is possessed by an evil spirit, thanks to the corruptive influence of the University of Minnesota. Wait, what?

The Exorcism of Emily Rose (2005)
2005 · R · Horror
Reviewed September 13, 2006

Yet another film that wants to be The Exorcist, this movie tries to be daring and different by utilizing a “choose your own scenario” style: is young Emily Rose truly possessed by evil spirits, or is she just an unmedicated loon? More importantly, why should I care? Because, proclaims the movie, she GAVE HER LIFE so that SKEPTICS LIKE YOU would BELIEVE!… and there goes the much-vaunted objectivity. Of course, there’s the obligatory no-nonsense atheist (Laura Linney as a lawyer, alliteratively) who goes from heathen to holy in two hours flat — call me a stubborn pagan if you will, but it’d take more than a cheap locket and a funny smell to convince me of God’s existence. The acting is unremarkable, but props must go to the actress who plays Emily, who puts Linda Blair to shame with her contortions and grimaces. It’s almost worth watching just for her (literally) twisted performance… almost, but not quite. It’s a bad horror movie and an even worse philosophical drama; rewatch The Exorcist instead.