In December 1973, cinema-goers waited in long lines outside theatres, braving the bitter cold to see a film that would go on to become one of cinema’s most famous and recognisable horrors. The movie in question was, of course, The Exorcist, directed by William Friedkin.
After the film’s massive success, Warner Bros. was keen to make a sequel, hoping a second instalment would garner the same critical and commercial success. Unfortunately, The Exorcist II: The Heretic, released in 1977, would prove to be a disaster, not only during production but also historically, leading it to be frequently named one of the worst films of all time.
The story of one of film’s most famous flops is the focus of David Kittredge’s (Pornography: A Thriller 2009) new documentary, Boorman and the Devil. Appearing at several festivals in 2025 (including Venice Film Festival, Beyond Film Festival, and Brooklyn Horror Film Festival), the Boorman in the title refers to the director of The Exorcist II: The Heretic, John Boorman (Deliverance, 1972, Zardoz 1974). In Boorman and the Devil, Kittredge explores every element behind the scenes of the making of The Exorcist II: The Heretic. He also examines the film’s impact and legacy, interviewing many of the people directly involved as they share their experiences of a fraught, complicated process.
Overall, Boorman and the Devil is a must-watch for anyone who is a fan of The Exorcist II: The Heretic. There are so many great anecdotes and stories from the making of the film, and fans will thoroughly enjoy hearing the cast and crew reminisce. However, you do not necessarily need to have seen the famous movie to enjoy this documentary. Boorman and the Devil is a fascinating insight into filmmaking itself. It is intriguing to see the filmmakers talk about the reasons behind certain shots and why they were used. It is also a fantastic look at how scenes are filmed and, in general, how a film is produced.
As well as an exploration of The Exorcist II: The Heretic and its making, Kittredge’s documentary raises an engaging and thought-provoking question of whether The Exorcist II: The Heretic should be reassessed retroactively. Regardless of its critical or commercial success or failure, can a film be considered ‘good’ or even ‘great’ if it has a cultural impact? If so, then The Exorcist II: The Heretic is pretty excellent! For these reasons, Cryptic Rock gives Boorman and the Devil 4 out of 5 stars.
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