Why Does the Exorcist Still Scare Us?

The horror movie was a story of a 12-year-old girl named Regan who became possessed by a demon and underwent an intense Exorcism by Catholic priests. The film was based on a true life paranormal story of a young boy named Roland Doe in Maryland in 1949 who actually went through several exorcisms because he was thought to be possessed by demons.

William Peter Blatty wrote the original novel and screenplay in which he changed the characters and embellishments to protect the real life person.

“Obviously the Exorcist is a movie that has withstood time and will continue to do so because it is such an amazingly well made project where you have the top people putting together something that allowed them to be the best at what they do with the best special effects. People had never seen anything like that before.” Blair explains talking about the make up artists, sound effects and the motorized life cast used as a Regan replication.

“It was all before CGI (Computer-generated imagery) and that’s what blows people’s minds,” describes Blair.

“It is meant to upset you and you can’t come close to it nowadays. The movie delivers,” she says.

Blair also attributed the intense acting that was required as well. It took about a year and a half to film because of the long rehearsals.

“We rehearsed for almost 6 months before we started filming. It was a long haul,” explains Blair recalling the freezing cold temperatures they also had to endure. Being only 13 years old but groomed in the acting field since the age of 6, Blair didn’t see her role as a religious war at the time despite what fans thought who couldn’t seem to separate Regan from Blair. She looked at the role as a job, another character she would have to play. She recalls asking the director how she would learn to levitate or turn her head completely around in the infamous scene.

“No sweetie, it’s special effects, he said to me,” says Blair, laughing. “A child is very impressionable.”

Amazing special effects ahead of its time and superb acting aside, there are real life aspects of The Exorcist that are still so controversial in regards to spirituality, faith, religion and the after life that exploded as a result of the film.

“It’s about faith,” says Blair.

“They talk about good versus evil on the planet.

“He (Blatty) put in this information that had never been exposed to the rest of the world about so called exorcisms. It was kept in a closet; it was a deep hidden secret of the Catholic Church.”

Blair went on to star in many television shows and movies, many of them horror related and paranormal related including the popular reality show which Blair hosted, “Scariest Places on Earth” that aired from 2000 to 2006. The show traveled to venues all over the world known for hauntings and evil pasts and different groups of people volunteered to stay the night if they dared.

Today, Blair is fighting a real life good versus evil battle as an animal activist through her Linda Blair Worldheart Foundation, which was born out of both her lifelong love of animals and the need to fight animal cruelty through education, rescue and adoption of dogs.

“I have one of the largest animal rescues in America,” says Blair.

As to why The Exorcist still gives many of us nightmares because we can’t resist watching we may never really pin point that down. There is no question it had an incredible influence in both cinema and the paranormal world. It would depend on the person and perspective. Or maybe the demon made you do it.

Spirits Reaching Out

When I investigated the home of these clients, they had reported all kinds of activity happening in different parts of the home like the main bedroom, the basement and an extra bedroom not being used. Myself and fellow investigator, Alex, conducted EVP and Ghostbox sessions. During the particular ghostbox session in this photo, a male spirit named Marcus came through. Other voices or spirits then came through including a possible little girl’s voice which was interesting since the clients had said they had heard a little girl crying in the house on several occasions. They suspected through the ghostbox sessions that something or someone was preventing the girl’s spirit from coming through.

There was so much energy in the home and hits on my K2 and Melmeter while conducting EVP and Ghostbox sessions all over the home. The Ghostbox session can be watched on my Twitch channel.

I have found in my experience Ghostbox or Spiritbox sessions are often hit or miss. Investigators seem to either love or hate Ghostboxes because of the chaotic noise that emanates from them. I love them. A Ghost box is a modified radio that goes through radio channels at different speeds, backwards and forwards. Sometimes the answers are through the white noise in between and sometimes sentences are put together through radio station voices to respond. When I explain it to people in public investigations I often ask if people have seen the movie, White Noise so they can have an example.

I never depend solely on a Ghost box for evidence which is why I bring other tools with me as well. I also ask outside neutral people to listen as well who won’t be influenced by what I heard. It is a cool paranormal gadget though which is why I bring it everywhere along with the basics like a recorder for EVPs (electronic voice phenomenon).

Paranormal Urbex Adventures

I love exploring dark, abandoned, possibly haunted homes, structures and areas. There is an adrenaline rush and thrill of the unknown on these adventures. The most difficult part for me has been finding other people who are drawn to it as well so I am not going alone which could be just more dangerous than fun if things go sideways.

I am a paranormal investigator/researcher, and urban exploring was always part of it in many ways. I do find it difficult not to come to a screeching halt and make a U-turn when I see an old spooky abandoned home or building. What many people don’t get is that life can be just as wild and strange as the movies and it can be right in your backyard so to speak.

Covid has really turned the switch off for us to do the regular shit like going to see a movie, sitting in a restaurant with friends or going to see a live band. Truth be told I love going out exploring more anyways.

I know some have it in their heads, urban explorers trespass or destroy property but the people I know talk to neighbors, the local historical societies and relatives of the majority of these old, dark, mysterious places that we photograph and document. I always have my paranormal equipment with me to do readings, evps, ghostbox sessions or check the place out with my thermal imaging camera. The stories of what happened or possibly transpired on the property is what really draws me in.