MOVIE NEWS – Mike Flanagan is gearing up to launch his latest Stephen King adaptation at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) next month, but his next big project is even more ambitious: reviving The Exorcist franchise with a film he hopes will be “the scariest movie of the time.” Flanagan is taking over the reins at Blumhouse following the disappointing reception of The Exorcist: Believer in 2023, which led to the departure of director David Gordon Green. Despite appearances by original star Ellen Burstyn and a surprise cameo by Linda Blair as Regan, the film failed to resonate with both audiences and critics, currently holding just a 22% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

Speaking at FanExpo Canada this weekend (via Collider), Flanagan revealed to a packed audience that The Exorcist was a significant influence on him during his early years as a filmmaker. Widely regarded as one of the scariest horror films ever made, Flanagan acknowledges that the original doesn’t have the same impact on modern audiences as it did when it was first released in 1973. With this in mind, he is approaching the new film with a singular mission: to make it the scariest movie possible for today’s generation.

“The original Exorcist is a formative film for me. I’ve only once in my career felt this feeling of stepping into the shadow of a monolith. I’m already nauseous every day about The Exorcist. When it came out, it was the scariest movie of all time at that time. Modern audiences don’t necessarily connect with the film the same way, so my mission for this is to try to make it the scariest movie of the time. If I can do that, then I hope it will connect with people.” 

Why Mike Flanagan Is the Perfect Director for The Exorcist

Mike Flanagan first gained recognition with his 2011 horror film Absentia, which was met with critical acclaim. Since then, he has consistently proven his ability to create horror films that linger in the minds of audiences long after the credits roll. Films like Oculus, Hush, and Doctor Sleep demonstrate his talent for crafting terrifying yet emotionally resonant stories.

Flanagan’s partnership with Netflix has further solidified his reputation as one of the best in the horror genre today. Series such as Midnight Mass, The Haunting of Hill House, and The Fall of the House of Usher are considered modern classics, especially in a time when horror fans are harder to please than ever before.

This experience bodes well for The Exorcist, as Flanagan appears to be more self-aware than many directors, fully understanding the challenge ahead of him. Despite the immense pressure, he is determined to achieve his goal of making “the scariest movie of the time.” Given his impressive track record, expectations will undoubtedly be high, but Flanagan’s past successes suggest that if anyone can rise to the occasion and do justice to the iconic franchise, it’s him.

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