12 Insane Hidden Details in William Friedkin’s The Exorcist (1973)

You don’t get to be called the scariest film of all time without good reason. William Friedkin’s masterpiece The Exorcist (1973) is a perfectly told tale of demonic possession taking place in Washington D.C. Amidst all the novel (and grotesque) special effects, Linda Blair’s groundbreaking performance and Ellen Burstyn’s hopelessness, The Exorcist has several hidden details and clues which will not be noticed at the first viewing. Noting those, however, give Friedkin’s film extra points of eeriness and dread generating additional debate about the nature of the occurring supernatural shenanigans.

1.Crucifix? What crucifix?

After Chris MacNeil finds a crucifix under Regan's pillow, she confronts Karl, the house caretaker, asking if he put it there which he denies it. She then places the crucifix on a table at the hallway but later on, in a blink-and-you-will-miss-it shot, the crucifix is gone. So when Regan uses the crucifix in … unorthodox ways, the film indicates that it was brought back upstairs by Karl (see point 2).

2.Karl

During the crucifix scene, right before the dresser moves towards Chris, Karl is laying next to Regan's bed unconscious. We see only his shoes which further validates the theory of how Regan got the cross again.

3.Vomit reaction

When Regan projectiles vomit at Father Karras, the vomit was intended to hit the actor in the chest, but the plastic tubing misfired. Thus, his reaction of disgust is genuine.

4.Scattered Pazuzu appearances

The film has several sublime appearances of Pazuzu throughout; from walls to reflections and brief flashes, Pazuzu is everywhere (either as a face as a statue) creating a truly unsettling atmosphere.

5.Low temperatures

During the finale, you can see the actors’ breath. This was not a special effect but instead the production did lower the temperature on set to give a chilly feeling and to elevate the actors’ performances.

6.Burke is dead

Somehow this one is getting missed by most people. Although it is never really answered who killed Burke, Chris’ friend, when Lieutenant Kinderman finds one of Regan’s clay toys next to the place of his demise, it is strongly implied that a possessed Regan pushed out of the window. Later on Pazuzu confirms this when he twists Regan’s head in the same way that Burke died and using his voice, he says “Do you know what your c***ing daughter did?”.

7.Chris MacNeil’s good luck bracelet

Chris MacNeil is wearing a horseshoe bracelet, a symbol of luck. Little does she know that such artifacts are useless against a demon. It is a nice little touch that further expands the hidden message in The Exorcist.

8.Nun or demon?

Perhaps the most bizarre detail on this list can be found during the conversation between Father Karras and Lieutenant Kinderman in broad daylight. As they walk and discuss the case they pass in front of a church entrance. Within a second after they walk in the foreground of the church, someone appears to be standing in the entrance without moving. It looks like a nun or it could be Pazuzu or Regan herself. It is really hard to tell but it adds extra eerie points to the film’s atmosphere.

9.Tasukete!

As seen in the picture above, there is a Japanese word that says “Tasukete”. Its meaning: Help or help me! Regan is asking help in almost every frame!

10.A most disturbing shadow

When Kinderman is outside Chris’ house after Father Karras leaves, he notices a shadow moving on Regan’s window. Considering how he was told that Regan is asleep after being for quite some time unwell, is all the more chilling; having a possessed Regan to just wander around is sufficiently creepy.

11.Dark fairy tales on the wall

In Regan’s bedroom, you can see paintings depicting classic fairy tale figures like the big bad wolf and Hansel and Gretel, the two siblings who escape a child eating witch. Interestingly, Regan and the witch are dressed in similar colors while the big bag wolf shedding the grandma’s skin represents Pazuzu’s already infiltration of the household.

12.Statue defilement

Another truly shocking moment is the blasphemous defilement of a Virgin Mary statue in the near by church. Although it is never shown who did it, if you pay close attention to the … additional pieces on the statue, they are made off clay, the same material that Regan uses to make her sculptures. As such, the culprit is not a random satanic worshipper influenced by Pazuzu but Regan herself.