The Exorcism of Emily Rose

The Exorcism of Emily Rose
by Scott Derrickson (2005)

A lawyer defends Father Moore, accused of Emily Rose’s death following a failed exorcism.

Quote.

“I am he who inhabited the body of Nero!
I am he who inhabited the body of Judas!
I am Belial!
And I am Lucifer, the Angel of Hell!”
(Emily Rose)

3 a.m.

This is the darkest hour. Three o’clock in the morning, the moment when evil acts.
It is then that demons can mock the Trinity. Because this hour represents the opposite of three in the afternoon, the time of the miracle, the moment when, according to Christian tradition, the death of Christ occurred.
It is at this moment that strange and inexplicable things happen, sometimes terrifying. Reality seems scarier than usual, and the world of the supernatural dominates the scene.

Considerations.

Scott Derrickson directs this legal thriller with sporadic incursions into horror territory.
The Exorcism of Emily Rose is inspired by the true story of a German girl, Anneliese Michel, who underwent a total of sixty exorcisms and died on July 1, 1976, after the last one, at the age of just 23.

Contradiction.

It is a film that has strongly divided audiences and critics. While almost everyone praised Jennifer Carpenter’s great performance as the protagonist, some were perplexed by the film’s significant mix of genres (horror, legal thriller, drama).
Upon closer examination, the greatest appeal of this film lies in the contradiction between the rational approach of the lawyer and the religious beliefs of Father Moore. A dualism that never finds a true meeting point.
The viewer wonders whether it is permissible to believe that Emily’s death is indeed attributable to the work of the devil, or whether the protagonist’s physical and mental health played a decisive role in the events.
The film does not provide an answer but remains ambiguous, in neutral territory. It challenges the beliefs of all the characters and those of the jury that is called to decide Father Moore’s fate.

Structure.

From a structural point of view, the film is a very particular hybrid, not without criticism. The alternation between scenes set in the courtroom and those outside ultimately seems unconvincing. There is an impression that the two elements do not always blend well.
The Exorcism of Emily Rose contains some truly strong and impressive scenes. And then there’s that strange and irrational fear that the film leaves with you. The fear of seeing the display of your alarm clock showing 3 in the morning.
If that were not enough, it should be added that Jennifer Carpenter’s acting alone justifies watching the film. Her performance is truly intense and brilliant, allowing for comparisons to Linda Blair without the risk of being blasphemous.
Also noteworthy is the setting and underlying atmosphere that Derrickson manages to create in the scenes set in the poor Emily’s home.

Considerations.

The Exorcism of Emily Rose received mixed reviews from critics but was praised for its ability to combine supernatural horror with a compelling legal drama. Jennifer Carpenter’s performance as Emily was particularly appreciated for its intensity.
In summary, The Exorcism of Emily Rose is a film that explores the mystery of faith, the boundary between the natural and the supernatural, and the moral implications of religious belief.