This week on The Night Index, we're diving into the ins and outs of The Exorcist and why, in my opinion, it’s one of the few horror films that managed to stand the test of time and cement its place as one of the best horror movies ever made.

Great tension building
Unlike other movies, The Exorcist knows how to build tension and atmosphere properly. It is one of those horror films that genuinely gets under your skin. I'm not talking about jump scares. You won't find (many of) that here. I'm talking dread, despair, and disturbing imagery that stick with you.

Heartbreaking moments
One element I think the horror genre doesn’t use enough is genuine heartbreak. Atmosphere, tension, and scares are all essential for horror, but truly sad moments are uncommon, although incredibly effective. The Exorcist is a great example of this. The scenes involving Damien’s mother hit me more than I expected. Her gradual decline and death are portrayed with a quiet sense of pain and something that feels weirdly real. If you’ve lost a loved one, you will know what I’m talking about.

Amazing acting

Acting? Incredible. Ellen Burstyn is amazing as the desperate mother, and Jason Miller nails the role of Damien. Linda Blair seriously carried half the movie on her back. The physicality, the voice work, and the facial expressions are next-level. And boy, oh boy, did I have a massive shock at some of her scenes. I get why this performance became legendary. Compared to a lot of old horror acting (looking at you, Texas Chain Saw Massacre), this felt actually real. This cast was absolutely perfect for this movie.

Every good film has those scenes you just can’t stop thinking about. The Exorcist is full of moments that linger long after the credits roll (and you remember them when you go pee late at night).

First, I want to talk about the exorcism scenes. They were so hard to sit through. They were almost exhausting to watch. Having watched it when I was beginning my journey with horror, I admit that there were times I had to take a pause and calm down for a bit.

The intensity in the exorcism is unmatched. The shouting, the prayers, Regan’s violent reactions, and the constant sense that things are spiraling out of control make the scenes feel overwhelming in the best way. The room feels suffocating, and the tension barely gives you a moment to breathe. It’s chaotic, disturbing, and incredibly effective.

Another thing that worked really well was Damien losing his support, Father Lankester Merrin. While watching those scenes, I always saw Merrin as the one holding everything together, the experienced priest, the one you trust to see the exorcism through. So when Damien loses him halfway through, it really shifts the feeling of the scene. Suddenly, even as a viewer, you’re not sure how things are going to end, and it makes the whole moment a lot more frightening.

Some other notable scenes include the ones with Damien’s mother, as I mentioned before. Those moments caught me a bit off guard because they’re so quiet. There’s no possession or shocking imagery, just life punching Damien in the face with the slow decline of someone he loves. It makes his character feel a lot more human. You can sense the guilt he carries for not being there more, and the film really lets that sadness sit for a while instead of rushing past it.

The sound design deserves a lot of credit, too. The film doesn’t drown you in music. Instead, it lets the silence do most of the work. Strange noises in the house, quiet footsteps, and the creaking of doors all contribute to this feeling that something is lurking just out of sight. It is really powerful and creates dread unlike any soundtrack could ever.

At the end of the day, what makes The Exorcist stand out is how well it builds tension without relying on cheap scares. Instead of throwing constant jump scares at the audience, the film slowly builds dread through atmosphere, disturbing imagery, and a growing sense that something is deeply wrong. That patience is a big part of why the movie still feels effective today.

Another major strength of the film is the emotional weight behind the horror. The grief adds a layer of sadness and realism that many horror films skip entirely. Because of that, the terrifying moments hit even harder.

The performances also play a huge role in why the film works so well. Ellen Burstyn brings a lot of desperation and fear to the role of Chris MacNeil, while Jason Miller gives Damien a quiet emotional depth. And of course, Linda Blair delivers one of the most memorable performances in horror history as Regan.

Finally, the film’s use of sound and silence deserves a lot of credit. Instead of overwhelming the audience with music, the movie often lets quiet moments and small unsettling noises do the work.

All of these elements together are why The Exorcist still holds its place as one of the most powerful horror films ever made. Even decades after its release, it continues to show that horror works best when it focuses on atmosphere, character, and emotional impact rather than just shock value.