John Carpenter Speaks On Latest Blumhouse Reboot: “I don’t understand how you can screw that up”
Blumhouse and Universal Pictures already have a lot to contend with when it comes to the recently released The Exorcist: Believer. Despite a decent box office showing this past weekend, the film’s performance is nowhere near where it needed to be to justify the reported $400 million Universal spent securing the rights to the franchise.
Worse still, the critical reception has been largely negative, with our own review saying the film “fundamentally misunderstands its source material and has nothing of any real substance to say.” There are two more of these things on the way, though it certainly doesn’t help that horror maestro John Carpenter isn’t convinced it can work.
In an interview with The Los Angeles Times, John Carpenter, with regard to The Exorcist: Believer’s disastrous critical reception, had this to say:
“I like what David did when he made the three ‘Halloweens.’ I loved No. 2 [‘Halloween Kills’]. Thought that was fabulous. I heard ‘The Exorcist’ really didn’t cut it. That could be a kickass movie. I don’t understand how you can screw that up.”
Carpenter was an Executive Producer on all three of David Gordon Green’s Halloween movies, even contributing the (banging) soundtrack to the trilogy alongside his son, Cody Carpenter, and Daniel Davies. While it’s clear that Carpenter likely hasn’t seen The Exorcist: Believer yet, it’s got to be discouraging that he’s, well, discouraged by its performance, especially considering his role in Blumhouse’s other big legacy trilogy.
Largely, The Exorcist: Believer fails to work within the legacy sequel template. For better or worse—it depends on who you ask, really—the rebooted Halloween timeline at least had something to say. Sure, it’s surface-level probe of community trauma might seem dated even just five years later, but it was something. The Exorcist: Believer, conversely, never justifies its legacy status, arriving at places that are arguably outright hostile to the original. If you’ve seen it, you’ll know what I’m talking about (hint: it involves a crucifix and a screen legend).
While David Gordon Green might not return for 2025’s The Exorcist: Deceiver, odds are slim the trilogy can get back on track without a considerable overhaul. What do you think? Do you agree with John Carpenter? Were you a fan of The Exorcist: Believer? Can we at least all agree Lidya Jewett and Olivia O’Neill were incredible? Let me know over on Twitter @Chadiscollins!
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