The Exorcist III

Starring: George C. Scott, Ed Flanders, Brad Dourif
Written by: William Peter Blatty

Director: William Peter Blatty
Year: 1990

Rating: * * *    Stars       +       (Fan Bonus -   )  Total: * * *

A cop must deal with he fact that a serial killer that he arrested and saw put do death years ago has returned.

George C. Scott stars as detective Kinderman, an older, world-weary cop investigating a series of murders that are eerily similar to the murders committed by the Gemini Killer, a serial murderer that died 15 years ago. While disregarded by some as a copycat, Kinderman knows the difference. False stories about his m.o. were planted in newspapers, yet this killer's methods are an exact match.

His investigations lead him to a mental hspital, where a patient sits alone in isolation, a patient that looks like a priest he once knew, Father Damien Karras. But that's impossible, Damien died falling down a flight of stairs during an exorcism in Georgetown. As Kinderman begins speaking to him, he identifies himself as the Gemini Killer. He goes on to mention that "old friends" felt his work should continue, and placed his soul in the body of the priest, just as he was shedding his mortal coil. From there, the Gemini travels to others, mostly catatonics, who he uses to escape the hospital and continue his killing.

An intriguing follow-up to the Exorcist, and much better than the abysmal Exercist II: the Heritic, William Peter Blatty does himself proud. He writes a tale that is sometimes scary, sometimes compelling. A horror meets detective story if you will. Brad Dourif puts in one of his best performances as the Gemini Killer, running the gambit of emotional dialogue from sarcasm to rage. 

Sadly, no film in the Exorcist series will ever top the original, but even after 20 years, the Exorcist III is the only sequel worth a darn.

SEE THE TRAILER: The Exorcist 3