The Exorcist The Exorcist, the 1973 film adaptation of William Peter Blatty's 1971 novel of the same title, is one of the most popular and controversial horror films ever made. One reason for its notoriety is given by film critic Mark Kermode, who has done much to document the film's creation and reception. In the midst of the social upheavals in the early 1970s (see Schulman), he suggests: That all-American child, sweetly portrayed by actress Linda Blair, is Regan MacNeil.
