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The Exorcist poster

Is The Exorcist OK for Kids?

Horror
17+
R⭐ IMDb 8.1 / 101973 · 2h 2m
William Friedkin● Script verified

Where to Watch

United States

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What's In It

Based on the actual screenplay
🗡️Violence
Extreme▼
Moments in the script, mildest → most intense
0
Cartoon / Comedic
0
Action & Peril
2
Injuries & Death Shown
3
Graphic & Disturbing
  • Burke Dennings is found dead at the bottom of a flight of steps with his head turned completely around to face backwards, implied to be caused by the demon.
  • Regan undergoes violent convulsions and displays supernatural strength during her possession episodes, thrashing and contorting unnaturally.
  • Regan scratches and injures herself repeatedly during her possessed state.
  • Father Karras is physically attacked and tormented by the possessed Regan during the exorcism ritual.
  • The climactic exorcism sequence includes an implied violent death; the overall tone treats violence as horrifying and consequential rather than action-oriented or thrilling.
💬Language
Extreme▼
Moments in the script, mildest → most intense
0
Mild Words
(damn, hell)
26
Moderate
(ass, b**ch)
0
Strong
(sh*t)
54
Extreme
(f**k)
  • The f-word is used extremely frequently (28 instances), often screamed by the possessed Regan in obscene, blasphemous contexts.
  • Godda**/goddamned appears 11 times, s**t appears 5 times, and the c-word (c**t) appears 3 times, all in extreme/shocking contexts.
  • B**tard (3) and a** (4) are also used; hell (7) and Christ/Jesus Christ (19) appear as moderate exclamations throughout.
  • This is among the most profanity-heavy classic horror films, with the demon's dialogue specifically designed to shock via obscenity.
👻Scary Scenes
Extreme▼
Moments in the script, mildest → most intense
0
Mildly Tense
0
Startling Moments
2
Genuinely Scary
3
Deeply Disturbing
  • The initial revelation of Regan's demonic possession and dramatic personality change is deeply disturbing to witness.
  • Regan's grotesque physical transformations and unnatural abilities (contortions, supernatural strength) are genuinely frightening.
  • The demon impersonates Regan's dead mother specifically to psychologically torture Father Karras, a disturbing and emotionally manipulative sequence.
  • Levitation and other supernatural phenomena occur during the extended exorcism ritual, which also includes demonic taunting and blasphemy that is sustained and deeply unsettling.
  • Scary content is resolved only through the priests' sacrifice and Regan's apparent liberation, but the journey there is unrelentingly tense with no comic relief.
💕Romance
Moderate▼
Moments in the script, mildest → most intense
0
Crushes & Holding Hands
0
Kissing & Dating
1
Suggestive
0
Sexual Content
  • Chris MacNeil's relationship dynamics with Burke Dennings are touched on, with her daughter Regan asking if she'll marry him.
  • There is no depicted physical romance or sexual content in the film.
  • Romance is a minor subplot, not a focus of the story.
🍺Substances
Moderate▼
Moments in the script, mildest → most intense
1
Mentioned in Passing
1
Shown Casually
1
Featured Prominently
0
Glorified or Abused
  • Regan is prescribed multiple psychiatric medications, including Ritalin (a stimulant) and Thorazine (a sedative), shown as part of failed medical attempts to explain her condition.
  • At a social gathering, alcohol is discussed casually, and Father Merrin accepts brandy despite his doctor's orders, a small character detail rather than a glorification of drinking.
  • Chris explicitly states she doesn't smoke marijuana, a brief passing mention with no depiction.
⚡Stimulation
Extreme▼
Moments in the script, mildest → most intense
0
Gently Engaging
0
Exciting
2
Intense
1
Overwhelming
  • The full exorcism sequence is an intense, prolonged sensory experience combining physical struggle, demonic manifestations, and ritualistic prayer.
  • Regan's possession episodes feature violent, unnatural movements and screaming that build sustained tension.
  • The climactic exorcism is overwhelming, layering multiple supernatural events with character deaths in rapid succession.
  • This film's slow-burn dread followed by intense sensory sequences is not suitable for sensory-sensitive viewers of any age.

Parents also checked

The Exorcist — Heads Up for Parents

Despite being a well-known 'classic,' parents should be aware the film contains an extremely high volume of extreme profanity (54 instances of extreme-level words including f-words and the c-word) delivered by a possessed child, which may be more shocking than expected given the film's reputation as prestige horror.

About The Exorcist

A young girl named Regan MacNeil becomes possessed by a demonic entity, and her desperate mother turns to two Catholic priests to perform an exorcism to save her. The film is a slow-building, deeply unsettling horror classic that mixes graphic physical horror with intense religious and psychological themes.

⚠️
Watch with your child
The extended exorcism sequence, extreme profanity from a child character, and disturbing psychological content (the demon impersonating Karras' dead mother) are heavy even for older teens 16+, and a parent's presence is recommended to contextualize the religious themes and process the disturbing imagery.

Family Takeaways from The Exorcist

What it gets right

  • ✓The film portrays a mother's unconditional love for her child through Chris MacNeil's relentless efforts to save Regan.
  • ✓It shows a priest wrestling honestly with his faith and grief, as Father Karras confronts his doubts while trying to help Regan despite his own crisis of belief.

The Exorcist Cultural & Values Guide

Cultural & Values Guide

Faith & Religion
●Christian themes

The film centers on Catholic priests performing an exorcism ritual, exploring Catholic faith, theology, and the authority of the Church as central themes.

●Religious mockery depicted

The demon possessing Regan engages in extended blasphemy and demonic taunting during the exorcism ritual, directly mocking religious figures and Christian faith.

Cast:Ellen BurstynLinda BlairJason MillerMax von SydowLee J. Cobb

Is The Exorcist Appropriate for Your Child's Age?

✗Age 5: Not recommended for 5-year-olds
✗Age 8: Not recommended for 8-year-olds
✗Age 10: Not recommended for 10-year-olds
✗Age 12: Not recommended for 12-year-olds
✗Age 13: Not recommended for 13-year-olds
✗Age 15: Not recommended for 15-year-olds
✓Age 17: Generally appropriate for 17-year-olds

Individual children may vary — use your judgment.

Parents also ask about The Exorcist

  • Is The Exorcist appropriate for a 17-year-old?
  • Does The Exorcist have violence?
  • Is The Exorcist OK for kids?
  • What is the age rating for The Exorcist?

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