No one will claim that Exorcist III is better or more disturbing than William Friedkin's original, but it is scarier, packed with more jumpy shocks, sound spikes, and demonic imagery than you can shake a burnt bible at. A seriocomic George C. Scott stars as police Lt. Kinderman, who comes to believe his old friend, Father Karras (Jason Miller), is alive and locked inside a Georgetown mental institution. Which is odd, because Karras died at the foot of a stairwell 15 years ago. Much to God's chagrin, the soul of the Gemini Killer (Brad Dourif), executed the same night Karras leaped to his doom, has taken over the priest's body and is committing ghastly murders. William Peter Blatty adapted and directed his own novel, Legion, and, aided by the lighting of DP Gerry Fisher (Highlander), the end result is impressive.

William Peter Blatty---USA---1990---110 mins.

• Warner Home Video
• Letterboxed