They appear to be very vague on that. The beginning of the film shows Merrin at a dig and then in front of a statue presumably to be of the demon. Then when Karras first goes to see Regan you can hear the demon mumbling "Merrin!" even though he had not made an appearance as of yet. It seems to be heavily implied Regan's possession was done in order to get back at Merrin? That seems to be the impression I got anyway.
The Exorcist (1973) - 9 outta 10 stars
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Risposta da bratface
il 19 ottobre, 2023 alle 8:46PM
He first came across 'Pazuzu' during an exorcism in Africa.
Risposta da movie_nazi
il 19 ottobre, 2023 alle 9:53PM
Was this confirmed in another film? I thought I heard they did a prequel that dealt with that specifically.
Risposta da bratface
il 19 ottobre, 2023 alle 10:26PM
It was stated in the novel but I can't remember if it was mentioned in the first film, it has been a really long time since I've seen it. But I'm pretty sure it was mentioned in the other films (especially the second). Here are two places that might help:
https://exorcist.fandom.com/wiki/Lankester_Merrin
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lankester_Merrin
Risposta da rooprect
il 20 ottobre, 2023 alle 8:06AM
To me, the most terrifying aspect of the Exorcist was how randomly the devil chose a victim. Even if the demon was out for revenge against Merrin, the little girl Regan had nothing to do with anything. That always scared the crap outta me.
Historically, horror films always had a moral context. Like the Scream movie jokingly but accurately points out: "If you want to survive a horror movie, don't have sex. don't drink or do drugs, don't say 'I'll be right back'."
(Add 'Don't go on an archaeological dig and disturb the burial grounds of the ancient demon Pazuzu)
Even if the demon was methodical in getting back at Merrin, the demon's choice of Regan as the vessel was so completely random it has to make us all squirm.
Risposta da movie_nazi
il 20 ottobre, 2023 alle 2:44PM
Karras even openly ponders this seemingly random choosing to Merrin to which it seems to me it made him squirm as if to say, "Damn, this is my fault." But he also quickly points out that the demon will do whatever it takes to get you to feel guilt or discomfort. Its an excellent film. I'm an atheist and it still creeps me out.
Risposta da movie_nazi
il 20 ottobre, 2023 alle 2:49PM
Thanks for the links. Really the second film? That one is usually derided for being terrible. Was thinking about picking up the third one.
Its Halloween! Get your creep on and watch it again! 🧟 I usually revisit the horror classics this time of the year. I watched the Legosi Dracula earlier this week. Think I will give the original Halloween a watch as well even though I have seen that fairly recently.
Risposta da wonder2wonder
il 20 ottobre, 2023 alle 4:43PM
One shouldn't practice any occult activities, or one risks opening a portal to the demons' realm. Regan played with a Ouija board and came into contact with Captain Howdy. With the Ouija one can summon spirits from the dead, but it is also a conduit for demonic possession.
Regan was possessed by the demon Pazuzu, so that is "The Exorcist (1973)". If it was Ghoul Marcus, then it would have been the movie "Ouija (2014)", Valak is in "The Conjuring 2 (2016)" and Zozo is in "I Am Zozo (2012)", an unnamed demon is in "Amityville 3-D (1983)" and "Veronica (2017)".
So, beware of the Ouija.
Risposta da bratface
il 20 ottobre, 2023 alle 4:49PM
You're welcome.
I remember seeing the second one at the drive-in & laughing so much (which I'm pretty sure that wasn't their intention). I do not think I've ever seen the third one & I'm also not sure if I have seen both Skarsgård's movies (Beginning & Dominion), I have seen one of them. I'm not a big horror fan (except for some of the older ones), most recent horror movies are just blood & guts, not much actual horror.
Risposta da rooprect
il 20 ottobre, 2023 alle 5:31PM
Great point, I feel (slightly) safer. The only occult practice I ever engaged in was playing Led Zeppelin Stairway to Heaven backwards when I was 12. Fun fact, it really does sound like he says “I live for Satan” 🥵
Risposta da rooprect
il 20 ottobre, 2023 alle 5:43PM
DEFINITELY watch the 3rd! It was written and directed by the original writer Blatty, and I gotta say his visual style is as creepy as you’d expect. No cheap scares, just a really thick terrifying atmosphere and a slow burn. Also on the subject of revenge, the demon really outdoes himself, it’s brutal what he cooks up this time 😬
I skipped over #2 but I’m sure I’ll give it a whirl someday just for laughs.
Risposta da movie_nazi
il 20 ottobre, 2023 alle 5:49PM
That doesn't address the fact that the demon was familiar with Merrin. How the demon was able to possess Regan is inconsequential. It's like asking why someone was murdered and someone screaming, "It was a gun! They were shot to death!". Um, yeah, OK but that doesn't answer the question.