Join James Kline and J.H. Alison as Retro Blood continues our September–October Halloween Spooky Season with the bizarre, ambitious, and infamous sequel to one of the greatest horror movies ever made! We're diving into Exorcist II: The Heretic, a film that took the terrifying world of The Exorcist and sent it in a completely unexpected direction.
Directed by John Boorman, this 1977 sequel brings back Linda Blair as Regan MacNeil, alongside Richard Burton, Louise Fletcher, and Max von Sydow. This time, Father Philip Lamont investigates the mysterious death of Father Merrin while uncovering the continuing influence of the demon Pazuzu and the strange powers connected to Regan's possession.
We explore the fascinating—and troubled—history behind the production, including why the original director William Friedkin and writer William Peter Blatty didn't return, the ambitious ideas behind Boorman's vision, and the constant script rewrites and production problems that plagued the film. We also discuss the illnesses, complicated special effects, and locust-filled sequences that made this production as strange behind the scenes as it is on screen.
Why did this sequel abandon much of the original's grounded terror for hypnotism, psychic connections, locusts, and metaphysical ideas? How did audiences react to it? And has Exorcist II earned a second look as an unusual piece of 1970s horror cinema?
We're covering the story, the performances, the weird moments, the production history, and everything that makes this sequel so divisive. Get ready for a full movie breakdown and review, as we discuss the good, the bad, and the downright bizarre!
The demon isn't finished yet—and neither are we!
Join us for another deep dive into horror history, only on Retro Blood! 🎃👹
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