The Exorcist
Despite its small-scale budget of $12.0M, The Exorcist became a runaway success, earning $441.3M worldwide—a remarkable 3578% return. The film's bold vision resonated with audiences, showing that strong storytelling can transcend budget limitations.
2 Oscars. 18 wins & 21 nominations
Plot Structure
Story beats plotted across runtime
Narrative Arc
Emotional journey through the story's key moments
Story Circle
Blueprint 15-beat structure
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Father Merrin excavates ancient ruins in Iraq, unearthing a medallion of the demon Pazuzu and confronting its statue - establishing the ancient evil that will later manifest in Georgetown.. The analysis reveals that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 14 minutes when Regan tells her mother about her "imaginary friend" Captain Howdy from the Ouija board, and strange noises begin in the attic - the first supernatural intrusion into the ordinary world.. At 12% through the film, this Disruption aligns precisely with traditional story structure. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
The First Threshold at 25 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 21% of the runtime. This illustrates the protagonist's commitment to Regan violently attacks her mother and speaks in a male demonic voice for the first time during a medical examination - the unmistakable manifestation of possession that forces Chris to abandon rational solutions., moving from reaction to action.
At 50 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 42% of the runtime—significantly early, compressing the first half. Notably, this crucial beat Chris MacNeil desperately begs Father Karras for an exorcism, crossing from the medical world into the spiritual realm - raising stakes as the demon's power becomes undeniable and the Church must respond., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 74 minutes (62% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Karras plays the tape recording of Regan's possessed voice speaking backwards in ancient languages, hearing his mother's voice crying "Dimmy, why you do this to me?" - his deepest guilt weaponized, crushing his psychological defenses., indicates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Synthesis at 80 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 67% of the runtime. The exorcism battle: demonic assaults, blasphemies, and physical attacks. Merrin dies from heart failure. Karras completes his arc by commanding the demon to take him instead, then sacrificing himself by jumping from the window - faith through action., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
The Exorcist's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 13 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs systematic plot point analysis that identifies crucial turning points. By mapping The Exorcist against these established plot points, we can identify how the filmmaker utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish The Exorcist within its genre.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Father Merrin excavates ancient ruins in Iraq, unearthing a medallion of the demon Pazuzu and confronting its statue - establishing the ancient evil that will later manifest in Georgetown.
Theme
Chris MacNeil discusses her daughter's upcoming confirmation with the housekeepers, asking "Does Regan have a guardian angel?" - introducing the central question of faith, protection, and spiritual warfare.
Worldbuilding
Establishment of two parallel worlds: Father Karras struggling with faith and his dying mother in New York, and Chris MacNeil's comfortable Georgetown life with her daughter Regan while filming a movie.
Disruption
Regan tells her mother about her "imaginary friend" Captain Howdy from the Ouija board, and strange noises begin in the attic - the first supernatural intrusion into the ordinary world.
Resistance
Chris seeks rational explanations through doctors and medical tests while Regan's condition worsens: violent bed shaking, personality changes, and increasingly disturbing behavior. Father Karras counsels students about faith and doubt.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Regan violently attacks her mother and speaks in a male demonic voice for the first time during a medical examination - the unmistakable manifestation of possession that forces Chris to abandon rational solutions.
Mirror World
Father Karras visits his hospitalized mother in squalid conditions, consumed by guilt over his inability to care for her - the relationship subplot that mirrors his crisis of faith and worthiness.
Premise
The promise of the premise: escalating demonic manifestations including projectile vomiting, head rotation, levitation, obscene acts, and the murder of Burke Dennings. Chris exhausts medical options while Karras grapples with his mother's death and his faith crisis.
Midpoint
Chris MacNeil desperately begs Father Karras for an exorcism, crossing from the medical world into the spiritual realm - raising stakes as the demon's power becomes undeniable and the Church must respond.
Opposition
Karras tests and interviews Regan/the demon, seeking proof. The demon psychologically attacks him with knowledge of his mother's death and guilt. The Church bureaucracy resists. Karras must prove the case for exorcism while doubting himself.
Collapse
Karras plays the tape recording of Regan's possessed voice speaking backwards in ancient languages, hearing his mother's voice crying "Dimmy, why you do this to me?" - his deepest guilt weaponized, crushing his psychological defenses.
Crisis
Karras processes his dark night: the demon knows his innermost shame. He presents evidence to the Bishop, permission is granted, and Father Merrin is summoned - the crisis yields to grim determination.
Act III
ResolutionSynthesis
The exorcism battle: demonic assaults, blasphemies, and physical attacks. Merrin dies from heart failure. Karras completes his arc by commanding the demon to take him instead, then sacrificing himself by jumping from the window - faith through action.