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{{Cleanup-link rot|date=September 2010}}
{{Infobox film {{Infobox film
| name = The Last Exorcism | name = The Last Exorcism
| image = The Last Exorcism Poster.jpg | image = The Last Exorcism Poster.jpg
| caption = Theatrical release poster | caption = Theatrical Release Poster
| director = Daniel Stamm | director = ]
| producer = {{ubl|]|]|]|Eric Newman}} | producer = {{ubl|]|]|]|]}}
| writer = {{ubl|Huck Botko|Andrew Gurland}} | writer = {{ubl|Huck Botko|Andrew Gurland}}
| starring = {{ubl|]|]|Louis Herthum}} | starring = {{plainlist|
* ]
| music = ]
* ]
* ]
* ]
* ]
}}
| music = ]
| cinematography = Zoltan Honti | cinematography = Zoltan Honti
| editing = Daniel Stamm | editing = Shilpa Sahi
| studio = {{ubl|]|]}} | studio = {{ubl|]|]|Arcade Pictures}}
| distributor = ] | distributor = ]
| released = {{Film date|2010|8|27|United States|2010|9|15|France}} | released = {{Film date|2010|06|24|Los Angeles Film Festival|2010|8|27}}
| runtime = 87 minutes<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.bbfc.co.uk/AFF270428/ | title=''The Last Exorcism'' << British Board of Film Classification | publisher=] | date=2010-07-12 | access-date=2011-08-23}}</ref>
| runtime = 87 minutes
| country = United States<br>France | country = United States
| language = English | language = English
| budget = $1.8 million<ref name="Budget">{{cite news |url=http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/entertainmentnewsbuzz/2010/08/movie-projector-avatar-rerelease-a-wild-card-as-takers-and-last-exorcism-debut.html |title=Movie projector: 'Avatar' re-release a wild card as 'Takers' and 'Last Exorcism' debut |last=Fritz |first=Ben |work=] |publisher=] |date=August 26, 2010 |accessdate=2010-08-27}}</ref> | budget = $1.8 million<ref name="Budget">{{cite news |url=http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/entertainmentnewsbuzz/2010/08/movie-projector-avatar-rerelease-a-wild-card-as-takers-and-last-exorcism-debut.html |title=Movie projector: 'Avatar' re-release a wild card as 'Takers' and 'Last Exorcism' debut |last=Fritz |first=Ben |work=] |date=August 26, 2010 |access-date=2010-08-27}}</ref><ref name="BoxOfficeMojo">. '']''. Retrieved 2010-12-21.</ref>
| gross = $70.2 million<ref name="NUM">{{Cite web|title=The Last Exorcism (2010) — Financial Information|url=https://www.the-numbers.com/movie/Last-Exorcism-The#tab=summary|website=The Numbers|access-date=November 5, 2024}}</ref><ref name="BoxOfficeMojo"/>
| gross = $59,866,428<ref name="BoxOfficeMojo">. '']''. Retrieved 2010-12-02.</ref>
}} }}
'''''The Last Exorcism''''' is a 2010 American ] ] directed by ]. It stars ], ], ], ], and ].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bloody-disgusting.com/news/19487|title=Lionsgate Plans 'The Last Exorcism' for August|website=]|date=17 March 2010}}</ref>


After years of performing ]s, a disillusioned ] minister decides to participate in a documentary chronicling his last exorcism while exposing the fraud of his ministry. After receiving a letter from a farmer asking for help in driving out the ], he meets the farmer's afflicted daughter.<ref>. ''DreadCentral.com''. Retrieved 2010-12-02.</ref><ref> {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305141931/http://filmschoolrejects.com/news/bloody-girl-is-having-a-bad-day-in-the-eli-roth-produced-cotton-neilm.php |date=2016-03-05 }}. Retrieved 2010-12-02.</ref>
'''''The Last Exorcism''''' is a 2010 American ] ] directed and edited by Daniel Stamm. It stars ], ] and Louis Herthum.<ref>. Retrieved 2010-12-02.</ref>
The film received positive reviews from critics and was a box office success, grossing more than $70 million against a $1.8 million budget.


A sequel, '']'', was released on March 1, 2013.
The film is told from the perspective of a disillusioned ] minister, who after years of performing ]s decides to participate in a documentary chronicling his last exorcism while exposing the fraud of his ministry. After receiving a letter from a farmer asking for help in driving out the ], he meets the farmer's afflicted daughter.<ref>. ''DreadCentral.com''. Retrieved 2010-12-02.</ref><ref>. Retrieved 2010-12-02.</ref>


==Plot== ==Plot==
Filmmakers Iris and Daniel document Cotton Marcus, a reverend living in ], who seeks to delegitimize exorcisms. Marcus, who lost his faith after the birth of his disabled son, is accustomed to performing fake exorcisms on individuals who believe they are possessed. He accepts an exorcism request sent by Louis Sweetzer, a farmer who suspects his daughter Nell is possessed by ].
{{Plot|date=September 2010}}
<!-- Please keep in mind WP:FILMPLOT guidelines regarding word count (i.e. under 700 words if possible) -->
The ] Cotton Marcus (]) lives in ], with his wife and son. Marcus is accustomed to performing exorcisms on "possessed" individuals, but his faith has waned after reading of an ] child being killed during an exorcism, reminding him of his own disabled son. He comes to realize that he attributes the healing of his son to science, and not to Jesus Christ. He agrees to take part in a documentary designed to expose exorcism as a fraud, working with a film crew consisting of producer/director Iris Reisen (]) and cameraman Daniel Moskowitz (]). At random, he chooses a plea letter from an individual seeking an exorcism leading him to the farmhouse of Louis Sweetzer (]), a man who claims to have a possessed daughter named Nell (]). Prior to the exorcism, Marcus plants hidden speakers and electronic props so he can bamboozle the family into believing he is driving out a demon. After the ritual, Marcus and his film crew leave believing they have cured her of a mental state that was misdiagnosed as a ] by a powerful demon ].


Marcus claims Nell is possessed by ], a powerful demon who defiles the innocent. Conducting the phony exorcism, he convinces her family that he has driven out the demon and leaves, believing he has cured her of a mental state that was misdiagnosed as ]. That night, Nell inexplicably appears in Marcus' motel room, visibly unwell. He takes Nell to the hospital, which concludes that she is in perfect physical condition. He visits Louis's former pastor, Joseph Manley, who informs him that he has not seen Nell for three years. Louis takes Nell home but chains her to the bed after she cuts her brother's face with a knife.
That night, Nell mysteriously appears in Marcus' hotel room. The team tries to contact Louis to get permission to film her, to no avail. Wishing to prove his point, Marcus admits Nell to the hospiwdhf liefh liuetf , df;lieuwfo wefohioqwerti237troqe;ifjuo8efywkfgvs,jdcbvuwefksdc;lufoe9w chdgfuwevjdcvkuefdc physical condition. In the morning, her father takes her home and chains her in her room for slicing her brother Caleb (]) in the face. While Louis takes Caleb to the hospital, Marcus and the camera crew further investigate Nell and the home. They find Nell and release her. That night there is a disturbance in the house, and Marcus and the crew hear the cries of a baby. They find Nell standing in a hallway. As they try to confront her, she heads into a bathroom, where she is found submerging a baby doll in water. After she comes out of her trance, the crew finds a drawing of a dead and bloodied cat.


Marcus frees Nell, and the hospital calls back to inform that she is pregnant. That night, Nell brutally smashes a cat to death in the barn. Iris and Daniel discover her morbid paintings, which depict Marcus before a large flame with a crucifix, Iris dismembered, and Daniel decapitated. Louis insists that Nell is a virgin and has been impregnated by the demon. Offended at Marcus's insistence that a demon is not involved, he demands that the crew leave and alludes to intending to kill Nell. The crew tries to escape with Nell, who attacks Marcus. Marcus offers to attempt a second exorcism as Nell begs her father to kill her.
That night, while Marcus and the crew are asleep, Nell steals their camera and goes into her room, placing the camera on a dresser as she pulls and distorts her face. Nell goes into her father's barn where she corners sdvnbgkdjcvbkdljvchgkweiufvksd,nvbkwuefgyw.kebvlhvgwevnwevwfva cat, beating it to death with the camera. She returns to the house and raises the camera over Marcus's head, ostensibly to beat him to death with it. The rest of the crew stops her, unaware of what transpired. They discover two more paintings of Nell's. The first depicts someone who appears to be Cotton standing before a large flame, holding up a crucifix. The second shows what appears to be the dead bodies of all three visitors to the Sweetzer farm: Cotton being consumed by the flame he was shown battling in the other picture, Iris hacked to pieces with an axe, and Dave decapitated.


During the exorcism, Nell manifests into "Abalam" and asks Marcus if he wants a "].” Marcus challenges that a demon would know the actual name of the sex act and concludes that Nell is not possessed but a disturbed girl. Nell anguishes over losing her virginity to a boy named Logan, which Louis rejects. The crew meets Logan, who explains that he is gay and only had a brief conversation with Nell during a party at Manley's house six months prior; They realize Manley was lying about having not seen Nell and return to the Sweetzer farmhouse, which they find empty and covered with ] and ] symbols on its walls.
Louis comes home and listens to an answering machine message from the hospital stating that Nell is ]. Marcus accuses Louis of ], which he denies, insisting that Nell is a virgin and has been defiled by the demon possessing her. Tempers flare as Marcus insists that Nell needs ] instead of another exorcism. Louis orders the crew to vacate his property. While contemplating whether they should take Nell, noises are heard upstairs. They discover Nell has climbed atop her dresser. As they try calming her she slashes Marcus's hand with a knife and runs outside. The crew decides to leave; as they enter their van they see Nell sitting on her porch. While approaching her, Nell tackles Marcus, attempting to harm him. The struggle leads inside as Louis chases them with a shotgun. Attempting to keep Louis from killing Nell, Marcus agrees to attempt another exorcism.


In the woods, the group sees a fire and a congregation of hooded cultists led by Manley. Louis is bound, gagged and blindfolded while hooded figures pray around an altar, atop which Nell is bound. She gives birth to an inhuman child. Manley throws the child into the fire, which causes the fire to grow as demonic roars emanate. Marcus, his faith restored, grabs his cross and rushes toward the fire to combat the evil. Iris and Daniel flee; Iris is killed with an axe by a member of the congregation, while Daniel is decapitated by Nell's brother.
They relocate to the barn where Nell killed the cat. The demon takes Nell again, making her bend backwards and break two of her fingers. She tells the crew that Nell is "in the fire", and that Louis will soon join her. "Nell" asks Marcus to let her give him a ]. Marcus informs that this is not the correct term for such thing and therefore believes Nell is not possessed. Upon confronting Nell with this, she breaks down and admits to having sex with a boy named Logan and committing her violent acts out of shame of her pregnancy.

On their way home, Marcus and the film crew detour to the coffee shop where Logan works. Logan tells the crew that the only contact he had with Nell was a brief conversation six months ago; he insinuates that he is gay and, therefore, would never have had sex with her. Marcus and the film crew wonder why Nell would lie, and Marcus immediately realises one of the things the devil is known as is "The prince of lies". The film crew follows as he returns to the Sweetzer's farmhouse. They enter the house to find numerous ] and demonic symbols scrawled on the walls, but Nell and her family are missing. Marcus and the film crew wander into the woods where they see a large fire and a congregation of hooded occultists led by Pastor Manley (]), the Sweetzer's estranged Protestant minister. Nell's father is bound and gagged on a pole while hooded figures pray around an altar, which Nell is tied on top of. Marcus and the film crew watch as Nell gives birth to something that is not of the human race. Manley throws it into the fire, which causes the fire to grow rapidly while demonic voices grow louder. At that moment Marcus' faith is resolved as he grabs his cross and rushes towards the fire in a frenzied attempt to combat the evil. Iris and Daniel are discovered and run away. Iris is tackled by a member of the occult congregation who murders her with an axe. When Daniel pauses to catch his breath, Caleb rises out of nowhere and decapitates him. The camera falls to the ground and the scene fades to black.


==Cast== ==Cast==
{{Cast listing|
* ] as Cotton Marcus<ref></ref>
* ] as Cotton Marcus<ref>{{cite web|url=http://shocktillyoudrop.com/news/topnews.php?id=14489|title=Horror Movies: Reviews, Trailers, News - Shock Till You Drop|website=ComingSoon.net|access-date=2010-03-17|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120820142224/http://shocktillyoudrop.com/news/topnews.php?id=14489|archive-date=2012-08-20|url-status=dead}}</ref>
* ] as Iris<ref></ref>
* ] as Nell Margaret Sweetzer<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bloody-disgusting.com/news/18031|title=AFM '09: First Ever Images From Eli Roth's 'Cotton'!! - Bloody Disgusting|website=Bloody-disgusting.com|date=8 November 2009}}</ref>
* Louis Herthum as Louis Sweetzer<ref></ref>
* ] as Nell Sweetzer<ref></ref> * ] as Iris Reisen<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bloody-disgusting.com/news/18060|title=Hi-Res Look at Creepy Possessed Girl in Eli Roth's 'Cotton'! - Bloody Disgusting|website=Bloody-disgusting.com|date=10 November 2009}}</ref>
* ] as Louis Sweetzer<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.firstshowing.net/2009/11/10/first-look-first-photo-from-eli-roths-exorcism-film-cotton|title=First Look: First Photo from Eli Roth's Exorcism Film Cotton|date=10 November 2009 }}</ref>
* Jamie Alyson Caudle as Satanic worshipper<ref></ref>
* ] as Caleb Sweetzer<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dreadcentral.com/news/37710/trailer-debut-lionsgates-the-last-exorcism|title=New Vamps Trailer and One-Sheet Lack Bite - Dread Central|website=Dreadcentral.com|date=22 September 2012}}</ref>
* ] as Gerad<ref></ref>
* Shanna Forrestall as Mrs. Cotton Marcus<ref></ref> * Tony Bentley as Pastor Manley<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bloody-disgusting.com/news/20195|title=Back-breaking One Sheet Debut For 'The Last Exorcism'! - Bloody Disgusting|website=Bloody-disgusting.com|date=13 May 2010}}</ref>
* Allen Boudreaux as Satanic worshipper<ref></ref> * Shanna Forrestall as Mrs. Marcus<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dreadcentral.com/news/37576/two-new-images-the-last-exorcism|title=Two New Images: The Last Exorcism - Dread Central|website=Dreadcentral.com|date=19 May 2010}}</ref>
* ] as Caleb Sweetzer<ref></ref> * Becky Fly as Becky<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dreadcentral.com/news/38130/the-last-exorcism-goes-viral-visit-church-st-marks-online|title=New Stitches Stills and UK Trailer - Dread Central|website=Dreadcentral.com|date=5 October 2012}}</ref>
* Denise Lee as Nurse<ref></ref> * Denise Lee as Nurse<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bloody-disgusting.com/news/20355|title=The Devil Finds New Host in 'The Last Exorcism' Trailer Debut! - Bloody Disgusting|website=Bloody-disgusting.com|date=26 May 2010}}</ref>
* Logan Craig Reid as Logan<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bloody-disgusting.com/news/20651|title=Viral Marketing Campaign Begins For 'The Last Exorcism' - Bloody Disgusting|website=Bloody-disgusting.com|date=22 June 2010}}</ref>
* Becky Fly as Becky<ref></ref>
* Adam Grimes as Daniel Moskowitz
* Logan Craig Reid as Logan<ref></ref>
* Jamie Alyson Caudle as Satanic Worshipper<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bloody-disgusting.com/news/17595|title='Cotton' to Be Shown to Sundance, Full Casting Released - Bloody Disgusting|website=Bloody-disgusting.com|date=6 October 2009}}</ref>
* Cy Fahrenholtz as Congregation
* Allen Boudreaux as Satanic Worshipper<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dreadcentral.com/news/37491/wicked-new-one-sheet-the-last-exorcism|title=Snow White and the Huntsman (Blu-ray / DVD) - Dread Central|website=Dreadcentral.com|date=17 September 2012}}</ref>
* Geraldine Glenn as Church parishioner
}}
* Cynthia LeBlanc as Church parishioner
* Elton LeBlanc as Church parishioner
* Christine Standfill as Church parishioner
* Sarah J. Thompson as Church goer
* Justin Shafer as Justin Marcus

==Production==
''The Last Exorcism'' was directed by the German ] Daniel Stamm and produced by Eric Newman, ],<ref>. Fangoria.com''. Retrieved 2010-12-02.</ref> ] and ]. The film was shot using ], it was also shot in ']' (Daniel Stamm has previously directed ''A Necessary Death'', another 'found footage' film).<ref>. ''FearNet.com''. Retrieved 2010-12-02.</ref> ] and ] hold the theatrical rights.<ref>. ''DreadCentral.com''. Retrieved 2010-12-02.</ref>


==Release== ==Release==
The film was slated to be a part of the ] Film Festival 2010.<ref></ref> However, on February 12, 2010, ] purchased the rights for the US Distribution<ref></ref> and pulled the film from the SXSW fest and set the release of the film for 27 August 2010.<ref></ref> The film had it's world premiere at the ] on 24 June 2010<ref></ref> and was here introduced by ] and ]. Members of the cast were also introduced on stage, ], ], ], ], ], and ].<ref></ref> ''The Last Exorcism'' was the last screened film on August 30, 2010 on the ] 2010.<ref></ref> The film was slated to be a part of the ] Film Festival 2010.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bloody-disgusting.com/news/20264|title=Possession at Full Mass in New Hi-Res 'Last Exorcism' Images - Bloody Disgusting|website=Bloody-disgusting.com|date=18 May 2010}}</ref> On February 12, 2010, ] purchased the rights for the US distribution<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.shockya.com/news/2010/02/14/lionsgate-acquires-us-rights-for-the-last-exorcism/|title=Lionsgate Acquires US Rights for The Last Exorcism|date=14 February 2010}}</ref> and pulled the film from the festival. The release of the film was set for August 27, 2010.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dreadcentral.com/news/36442/lionsgate-attends-the-last-exorcism-this-august|title=New Lovely Molly Commentary Clip and a Look at the Lenticular Packaging - Dread Central|website=Dreadcentral.com|date=16 August 2012}}</ref>


The film had its ] at the ] on June 24, 2010<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bloody-disgusting.com/news/20102|title=LA Film Festival Premieres 'The Last Exorcism', Other Genre Fare - Bloody Disgusting|website=Bloody-disgusting.com|date=6 May 2010}}</ref> and was here introduced by ] and Daniel Stamm. Members of the cast were also introduced on stage, ], ], Louis Herthum, ], ], and Tony Bentley.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bloody-disgusting.com/news/20707|title=BC Catches Up With 'Producer' Eli Roth at the 'Last Exorcism' Premiere - Bloody Disgusting|website=Bloody-disgusting.com|date=26 June 2010}}</ref> ''The Last Exorcism'' was the last screened film on August 30, 2010, on the ] 2010.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bloody-disgusting.com/news/20539|title='Hatchet II' Opens, 'Last Exorcism' Closes Film 4 FrightFest Film Festival! - Bloody Disgusting|website=Bloody-disgusting.com|date=11 June 2010}}</ref>
] hosted the screening of the ]<ref></ref> and the second screening on 24 July 2010 is narrated by ].<ref></ref>


] hosted the screening at the 2010 ];<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bloody-disgusting.com/news/20928|title=SDCC '10: Bloody Disgusting Hosts Special San Diego Comic-Con Screening of 'The Last Exorcism'! - Bloody Disgusting|website=Bloody-disgusting.com|date=17 July 2010}}</ref> the second screening on 24 July 2010 is narrated by ].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bloody-disgusting.com/news/20962|title=SDCC '10: BD Hosts Special Comic-Con Screening of 'The Last Exorcism'! -- SECOND SCREENING ADDED! - Bloody Disgusting|website=Bloody-disgusting.com|date=21 July 2010}}</ref>
It was announced that a poster for the film was banned in public UK places, due to the nature of the poster (described as "offensive", "distressing" and "unsuitable for public viewing") which received 77 complaints, of which two people claimed the girl in the poster seemed to have "suffered a sexual assault". It was then decided the advert was not allowed to be seen again in that format.<ref>. ''Movies.UK.MSN.com''. Retrieved 2010-12-02.</ref>

===Poster controversy===
In the UK, a poster image for the film which showed a young girl, wearing a blood-spattered dress, bent over backwards below a crucifix, received dozens of complaints that it was "offensive", "distressing", and "unsuitable for public viewing". Two people claimed the girl in the poster seemed to have suffered ], a complaint which was not upheld. The ] decided that the image could not be used on a publicly visible poster since that was an untargeted medium but was acceptable on the back cover of '']'' magazine.<ref> {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101106003831/http://movies.uk.msn.com/news/articles.aspx?cp-documentid=155154571 |date=2010-11-06 }}. ''Movies.UK.MSN.com''. Retrieved 2010-12-02.</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.asa.org.uk/ASA-action/Adjudications/2010/11/Optimum-Releasing-Ltd/TF_ADJ_49299.aspx |title=ASA Adjudication on Optimum Releasing Ltd - Advertising Standards Authority |access-date=2012-03-31 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101213100347/http://asa.org.uk/ASA-action/Adjudications/2010/11/Optimum-Releasing-Ltd/TF_ADJ_49299.aspx |archive-date=2010-12-13 }}</ref>


===Viral campaign=== ===Viral campaign===
''The Last Exorcism'' uses ] as the medium of its viral campaign involving a girl who pretends to unbutton her top seductively, then stops and turns into a monster. At the end, the URL of the film's official website is flashed on screen. ''The Last Exorcism'' used ] as the medium of its viral campaign involving a girl who pretends to unbutton her top seductively, then stops and turns into a monster. At the end, the URL of the film's official website is flashed on screen.<ref>Michael Sullivan, – Variety, 19 aug. 2010</ref><ref>Adam Rosenberg, , mtv.com, 27 aug. 2010</ref>


===Home media=== ===Home media===
''The Last Exorcism'' has been announced to be slated for release on DVD and Blu-ray on January 4, 2011.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.blu-ray.com/news/?id=5365 |title=The Last Exorcism Blu-ray Announced |accessdate=2010-10-29 |publisher=''Blu-ray.com''}}</ref> ''The Last Exorcism'' was released on ] and ] on January 4, 2011. The Blu-ray includes the DVD of the film and a ] as well.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.blu-ray.com/news/?id=5365 |title=The Last Exorcism Blu-ray Announced |access-date=2010-10-29 |publisher=Blu-ray.com}}</ref>


==Reception== ==Reception==
===Critical=== ===Critical reception===
''The Last Exorcism'' has received generally positive reviews from critics, garnering a 72% "Fresh" rating on ] ], with the site's consensus being "It doesn't fully deliver on the chilly promise of its Blair Witch-style premise, but ''The Last Exorcism'' offers a surprising number of clever thrills."<ref>. '']''. Retrieved 2010-12-02.</ref> The film received a 63 out of 100 on ], indicating "generally favorable reviews".<ref>. '']''. Retrieved 2010-12-02.</ref> At ] the film currently holds a B- based on twelve reviews.<ref>. '']''. Retrieved 2010-12-02.</ref> ''The Last Exorcism'' has received generally positive reviews from critics, garnering a 72% approval rating on ] ] based on 161 reviews and an average rating of 6.17/10. The site's consensus being "It doesn't fully deliver on the chilly promise of its '']''-style premise, but ''The Last Exorcism'' offers a surprising number of clever thrills."<ref>. '']''. Retrieved June 15, 2020</ref> The film received a 63 out of 100 on ], indicating "generally favorable reviews".<ref>. '']''. Retrieved 2010-12-02.</ref> At ] the film holds a B− based on twelve reviews.<ref>. '']''. Retrieved 2010-12-02.</ref>

Jeannette Catsoulis of '']'' gave the film 4 out of 5 stars and wrote that the film was "An unusually restrained and genuinely eerie little movie perched at the intersection of faith, folklore and female puberty."<ref>{{cite news |url= https://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/27/movies/27last.html |title= Loosening the Devil's Grip in Louisiana |newspaper= nytimes.com |first= Jeannette |last= Catsoulis |date= August 26, 2010 |access-date= April 26, 2018}}</ref> On the other hand, Joe Neumaier of '']'' gave the film 1 out of 5 stars and wrote, "Some of Bell's contortionist tricks aren't nearly as frightening as the best moments in '']''. Or, really, some of the better episodes of ''].''"{{citation needed|date=July 2020}}


===Box office=== ===Box office===
''The Last Exorcism'' opened at number two at the U.S. box office the weekend of August 27, 2010. It grossed $20,366,613 from 2,874 theaters in its first three days.<ref>. '']''. Retrieved 2010-12-02.</ref> ''The Last Exorcism'' had a budget of $1,800,000.<ref name="BoxOfficeMojo" /> The film remained in the top five, falling to number four in its second weekend.<ref name="BoxOfficeMojo" /> ''The Last Exorcism'' opened at #2 at the U.S. box office the weekend of August 27, 2010, behind '']''. It grossed $20,366,613 from 2,874 theaters in its first three days.<ref>. '']''. Retrieved 2010-12-02.</ref> ''The Last Exorcism'' had a budget of $1.8 million.<ref name="BoxOfficeMojo" /> The film remained in the top five, falling to number four in its second weekend. The film went on to gross $41 million domestically and $26.7 million foreign to total $67.7 million worldwide.<ref name="BoxOfficeMojo" />

===Awards and nominations===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Year !! Award !! Category !! Recipient !! Result
|-
|rowspan="5"| 2011
| ]
| ]
|
| {{nom}}
|-
| ]
| ]
| Daniel Stamm
| {{nom}}
|-
| ]
| ]
| Ashley Bell
| {{nom}}
|-
| ]
| ]
| ]
| {{nom}}
|-
| ]
| ]
|{{N/A}}
| {{won}}
|}

==Sequel==
{{main|The Last Exorcism Part II}}
On August 23, 2011, '']'' announced that a ] was in the works.<ref name=comingsoon/> On April 20, 2012, an audition sheet revealed the film's full title as ''Beginning of the End: The Last Exorcism II''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://knowtheartist.com/last-exorcism-ii-title-revealed/ |title=''Last Exorcism II'' full title revealed |publisher=KnowTheArtist.com |date=2012-04-20 |access-date=2012-04-23 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120425234656/http://knowtheartist.com/last-exorcism-ii-title-revealed/ |archive-date=April 25, 2012 }}</ref> The film was directed by ],<ref name=comingsoon>{{cite web|url=https://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=86208|title=The Last Exorcism Sequel Has a Director|date=22 January 2012|access-date=28 April 2020|archive-date=19 April 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120419010235/http://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=86208|url-status=dead}}</ref> with Damien Chazelle ('']'') providing the screenplay.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=81337 | title=''The Last Exorcism'' Sequel Planned | publisher=ComingSoon.net | date=2011-08-23 | access-date=2011-08-23 | archive-date=2012-10-13 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121013053509/http://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=81337 | url-status=dead }}</ref> Ashley Bell reprises her role as Nell.<ref name=comingsoon/> On January 2, 2013, the poster for the film was released, revealing the final title to be '']''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=98477|title=Poster for The Last Exorcism Part II Revealed|access-date=2020-04-28|archive-date=2013-02-25|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130225053330/http://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=98477|url-status=dead}}</ref> The film was also produced by ].


==References== ==References==
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==External links== ==External links==
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* {{Official|http://www.thelastexorcism.com}}
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* {{Rotten-tomatoes|last_exorcism|The Last Exorcism}}
* {{Metacritic film|lastexorcism|The Last Exorcism}}
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{{Empire Award for Best Horror}}
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Latest revision as of 15:53, 22 December 2024

2010 American film
The Last Exorcism
Theatrical Release Poster
Directed byDaniel Stamm
Written by
  • Huck Botko
  • Andrew Gurland
Produced by
Starring
CinematographyZoltan Honti
Edited byShilpa Sahi
Music byNathan Barr
Production
companies
Distributed byLionsgate
Release dates
  • June 24, 2010 (2010-06-24) (Los Angeles Film Festival)
  • August 27, 2010 (2010-08-27)
Running time87 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Budget$1.8 million
Box office$70.2 million

The Last Exorcism is a 2010 American found footage supernatural horror film directed by Daniel Stamm. It stars Patrick Fabian, Ashley Bell, Iris Bahr, Caleb Landry Jones, and Louis Herthum.

After years of performing exorcisms, a disillusioned evangelical minister decides to participate in a documentary chronicling his last exorcism while exposing the fraud of his ministry. After receiving a letter from a farmer asking for help in driving out the devil, he meets the farmer's afflicted daughter. The film received positive reviews from critics and was a box office success, grossing more than $70 million against a $1.8 million budget.

A sequel, The Last Exorcism Part II, was released on March 1, 2013.

Plot

Filmmakers Iris and Daniel document Cotton Marcus, a reverend living in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, who seeks to delegitimize exorcisms. Marcus, who lost his faith after the birth of his disabled son, is accustomed to performing fake exorcisms on individuals who believe they are possessed. He accepts an exorcism request sent by Louis Sweetzer, a farmer who suspects his daughter Nell is possessed by Satan.

Marcus claims Nell is possessed by Abalam, a powerful demon who defiles the innocent. Conducting the phony exorcism, he convinces her family that he has driven out the demon and leaves, believing he has cured her of a mental state that was misdiagnosed as possession. That night, Nell inexplicably appears in Marcus' motel room, visibly unwell. He takes Nell to the hospital, which concludes that she is in perfect physical condition. He visits Louis's former pastor, Joseph Manley, who informs him that he has not seen Nell for three years. Louis takes Nell home but chains her to the bed after she cuts her brother's face with a knife.

Marcus frees Nell, and the hospital calls back to inform that she is pregnant. That night, Nell brutally smashes a cat to death in the barn. Iris and Daniel discover her morbid paintings, which depict Marcus before a large flame with a crucifix, Iris dismembered, and Daniel decapitated. Louis insists that Nell is a virgin and has been impregnated by the demon. Offended at Marcus's insistence that a demon is not involved, he demands that the crew leave and alludes to intending to kill Nell. The crew tries to escape with Nell, who attacks Marcus. Marcus offers to attempt a second exorcism as Nell begs her father to kill her.

During the exorcism, Nell manifests into "Abalam" and asks Marcus if he wants a "blowing job.” Marcus challenges that a demon would know the actual name of the sex act and concludes that Nell is not possessed but a disturbed girl. Nell anguishes over losing her virginity to a boy named Logan, which Louis rejects. The crew meets Logan, who explains that he is gay and only had a brief conversation with Nell during a party at Manley's house six months prior; They realize Manley was lying about having not seen Nell and return to the Sweetzer farmhouse, which they find empty and covered with occult and countercultural symbols on its walls.

In the woods, the group sees a fire and a congregation of hooded cultists led by Manley. Louis is bound, gagged and blindfolded while hooded figures pray around an altar, atop which Nell is bound. She gives birth to an inhuman child. Manley throws the child into the fire, which causes the fire to grow as demonic roars emanate. Marcus, his faith restored, grabs his cross and rushes toward the fire to combat the evil. Iris and Daniel flee; Iris is killed with an axe by a member of the congregation, while Daniel is decapitated by Nell's brother.

Cast

  • Patrick Fabian as Cotton Marcus
  • Ashley Bell as Nell Margaret Sweetzer
  • Iris Bahr as Iris Reisen
  • Louis Herthum as Louis Sweetzer
  • Caleb Landry Jones as Caleb Sweetzer
  • Tony Bentley as Pastor Manley
  • Shanna Forrestall as Mrs. Marcus
  • Becky Fly as Becky
  • Denise Lee as Nurse
  • Logan Craig Reid as Logan
  • Adam Grimes as Daniel Moskowitz
  • Jamie Alyson Caudle as Satanic Worshipper
  • Allen Boudreaux as Satanic Worshipper

Release

The film was slated to be a part of the South by Southwest Film Festival 2010. On February 12, 2010, Lionsgate purchased the rights for the US distribution and pulled the film from the festival. The release of the film was set for August 27, 2010.

The film had its world premiere at the LA Film Festival on June 24, 2010 and was here introduced by Eli Roth and Daniel Stamm. Members of the cast were also introduced on stage, Patrick Fabian, Ashley Bell, Louis Herthum, Caleb Landry Jones, Iris Bahr, and Tony Bentley. The Last Exorcism was the last screened film on August 30, 2010, on the Film4 FrightFest 2010.

Bloody Disgusting hosted the screening at the 2010 San Diego Comic-Con; the second screening on 24 July 2010 is narrated by Eli Roth.

Poster controversy

In the UK, a poster image for the film which showed a young girl, wearing a blood-spattered dress, bent over backwards below a crucifix, received dozens of complaints that it was "offensive", "distressing", and "unsuitable for public viewing". Two people claimed the girl in the poster seemed to have suffered sexual assault, a complaint which was not upheld. The Advertising Standards Agency decided that the image could not be used on a publicly visible poster since that was an untargeted medium but was acceptable on the back cover of Cineworld magazine.

Viral campaign

The Last Exorcism used Chatroulette as the medium of its viral campaign involving a girl who pretends to unbutton her top seductively, then stops and turns into a monster. At the end, the URL of the film's official website is flashed on screen.

Home media

The Last Exorcism was released on DVD and Blu-ray on January 4, 2011. The Blu-ray includes the DVD of the film and a digital copy as well.

Reception

Critical reception

The Last Exorcism has received generally positive reviews from critics, garnering a 72% approval rating on review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes based on 161 reviews and an average rating of 6.17/10. The site's consensus being "It doesn't fully deliver on the chilly promise of its Blair Witch-style premise, but The Last Exorcism offers a surprising number of clever thrills." The film received a 63 out of 100 on Metacritic, indicating "generally favorable reviews". At Yahoo! Movies the film holds a B− based on twelve reviews.

Jeannette Catsoulis of The New York Times gave the film 4 out of 5 stars and wrote that the film was "An unusually restrained and genuinely eerie little movie perched at the intersection of faith, folklore and female puberty." On the other hand, Joe Neumaier of New York Daily News gave the film 1 out of 5 stars and wrote, "Some of Bell's contortionist tricks aren't nearly as frightening as the best moments in Paranormal Activity. Or, really, some of the better episodes of Scooby-Doo."

Box office

The Last Exorcism opened at #2 at the U.S. box office the weekend of August 27, 2010, behind Takers. It grossed $20,366,613 from 2,874 theaters in its first three days. The Last Exorcism had a budget of $1.8 million. The film remained in the top five, falling to number four in its second weekend. The film went on to gross $41 million domestically and $26.7 million foreign to total $67.7 million worldwide.

Awards and nominations

Year Award Category Recipient Result
2011 People's Choice Award Favorite Horror Movie Nominated
Independent Spirit Award Best First Feature Daniel Stamm Nominated
Independent Spirit Award Best Supporting Female Ashley Bell Nominated
MTV Movie Award Best Scared-As-Shit Performance Ashley Bell Nominated
Empire Awards Best Horror — Won

Sequel

Main article: The Last Exorcism Part II

On August 23, 2011, The Hollywood Reporter announced that a sequel was in the works. On April 20, 2012, an audition sheet revealed the film's full title as Beginning of the End: The Last Exorcism II. The film was directed by Ed Gass-Donnelly, with Damien Chazelle (Guy and Madeline on a Park Bench) providing the screenplay. Ashley Bell reprises her role as Nell. On January 2, 2013, the poster for the film was released, revealing the final title to be The Last Exorcism Part II. The film was also produced by Eli Roth.

References

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  2. Fritz, Ben (August 26, 2010). "Movie projector: 'Avatar' re-release a wild card as 'Takers' and 'Last Exorcism' debut". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2010-08-27.
  3. ^ The Last Exorcism (2010). Box Office Mojo. Retrieved 2010-12-21.
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  5. "Lionsgate Plans 'The Last Exorcism' for August". Bloody-disgusting.com. 17 March 2010.
  6. Lionsgate's 'The Last Exorcism' to Premiere at the LA Film Festival. DreadCentral.com. Retrieved 2010-12-02.
  7. Bloody Girl is Having a Bad Day in the Eli Roth Produced ‘Cotton’ Archived 2016-03-05 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2010-12-02.
  8. "Horror Movies: Reviews, Trailers, News - Shock Till You Drop". ComingSoon.net. Archived from the original on 2012-08-20. Retrieved 2010-03-17.
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  10. "Hi-Res Look at Creepy Possessed Girl in Eli Roth's 'Cotton'! - Bloody Disgusting". Bloody-disgusting.com. 10 November 2009.
  11. "First Look: First Photo from Eli Roth's Exorcism Film Cotton". 10 November 2009.
  12. "New Vamps Trailer and One-Sheet Lack Bite - Dread Central". Dreadcentral.com. 22 September 2012.
  13. "Back-breaking One Sheet Debut For 'The Last Exorcism'! - Bloody Disgusting". Bloody-disgusting.com. 13 May 2010.
  14. "Two New Images: The Last Exorcism - Dread Central". Dreadcentral.com. 19 May 2010.
  15. "New Stitches Stills and UK Trailer - Dread Central". Dreadcentral.com. 5 October 2012.
  16. "The Devil Finds New Host in 'The Last Exorcism' Trailer Debut! - Bloody Disgusting". Bloody-disgusting.com. 26 May 2010.
  17. "Viral Marketing Campaign Begins For 'The Last Exorcism' - Bloody Disgusting". Bloody-disgusting.com. 22 June 2010.
  18. "'Cotton' to Be Shown to Sundance, Full Casting Released - Bloody Disgusting". Bloody-disgusting.com. 6 October 2009.
  19. "Snow White and the Huntsman (Blu-ray / DVD) - Dread Central". Dreadcentral.com. 17 September 2012.
  20. "Possession at Full Mass in New Hi-Res 'Last Exorcism' Images - Bloody Disgusting". Bloody-disgusting.com. 18 May 2010.
  21. "Lionsgate Acquires US Rights for The Last Exorcism". 14 February 2010.
  22. "New Lovely Molly Commentary Clip and a Look at the Lenticular Packaging - Dread Central". Dreadcentral.com. 16 August 2012.
  23. "LA Film Festival Premieres 'The Last Exorcism', Other Genre Fare - Bloody Disgusting". Bloody-disgusting.com. 6 May 2010.
  24. "BC Catches Up With 'Producer' Eli Roth at the 'Last Exorcism' Premiere - Bloody Disgusting". Bloody-disgusting.com. 26 June 2010.
  25. "'Hatchet II' Opens, 'Last Exorcism' Closes Film 4 FrightFest Film Festival! - Bloody Disgusting". Bloody-disgusting.com. 11 June 2010.
  26. "SDCC '10: Bloody Disgusting Hosts Special San Diego Comic-Con Screening of 'The Last Exorcism'! - Bloody Disgusting". Bloody-disgusting.com. 17 July 2010.
  27. "SDCC '10: BD Hosts Special Comic-Con Screening of 'The Last Exorcism'! -- SECOND SCREENING ADDED! - Bloody Disgusting". Bloody-disgusting.com. 21 July 2010.
  28. The Last Exorcism poster banned Archived 2010-11-06 at the Wayback Machine. Movies.UK.MSN.com. Retrieved 2010-12-02.
  29. "ASA Adjudication on Optimum Releasing Ltd - Advertising Standards Authority". Archived from the original on 2010-12-13. Retrieved 2012-03-31.
  30. Michael Sullivan, 'Last Exorcism' jumps on Chatroulette – Variety, 19 aug. 2010
  31. Adam Rosenberg, The Last Exorcism' Chatroulette Prank Gets The Word Out (NSFW), mtv.com, 27 aug. 2010
  32. "The Last Exorcism Blu-ray Announced". Blu-ray.com. Retrieved 2010-10-29.
  33. The Last Exorcism Movie Reviews, Pictures. Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved June 15, 2020
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  36. Catsoulis, Jeannette (August 26, 2010). "Loosening the Devil's Grip in Louisiana". nytimes.com. Retrieved April 26, 2018.
  37. Weekend Box Office Results for August 27–29, 2010. Box Office Mojo. Retrieved 2010-12-02.
  38. ^ "The Last Exorcism Sequel Has a Director". 22 January 2012. Archived from the original on 19 April 2012. Retrieved 28 April 2020.
  39. "Last Exorcism II full title revealed". KnowTheArtist.com. 2012-04-20. Archived from the original on April 25, 2012. Retrieved 2012-04-23.
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  41. "Poster for The Last Exorcism Part II Revealed". Archived from the original on 2013-02-25. Retrieved 2020-04-28.

External links

Empire Award for Best Horror
Categories: