Film Deconstruction - Exorcist

Film Deconstruction - The Exorcist



For the majority of the film 'The Exorcist',low-key lighting. This means within the scene, there is one main light which allows the shot to have dark shadows and creates a eerie and scary look to the film. Through out the film,they use artificial lights mostly from within the house.

This film is very old (1972). The way they took advantage of lighting seems much too advanced for the year the film was made in. The decoration in the room is very minimal and creates a simplistic mood. The plain walls and plain bedding seem very abnormal to be in a child's bedroom and gives the essence of ambiguity. Due to the surroundings being so bare, the viewer feels alone and helpless. Make up is used to create horrific images in the Exorcist. In horror films, the lighting is dark most of the times which contributes the the mise en scene and this makes the perspective of the audience blurred and they are not fully aware of what's going on; doing this creates fear within the watcher because there is a sense of ambiguity.

Linda Blairs body language would not be so scary for the viewer if in broad daylight buy when it is combined with the lighting & makeup , it is almost impossible not to feel queasy.