Anthony Miller is a troubled actor trying to rebuild his career and repair his bond with his teenage daughter, Lee. He takes a priest role in a film about an exorcism after another actor dies on set. His old drug and alcohol problems return, while strange events suggest that a real demon may be involved. The movie mixes family drama, addiction, religious horror, and a story about making a horror film. The clearest woke element is Lee’s same-sex relationship with Blake, a major part of her personal story. The film also questions male hero roles and presents the Catholic Church as damaged by abuse and slow to help. The writers said they wanted to turn old exorcism patterns inside out, including women being possessed and men always being the heroes. These ideas recur, but the main story remains about addiction, trauma, faith, and family.
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Breakdown
These are the editorial factors and ratings behind our score for The Exorcism.
Woke representation / casting
Lee is a prominent lesbian character, and her girlfriend is important to the story. The film also gives major roles to women who challenge older horror patterns. The cast is not presented as a broad diversity campaign, so the score stays moderate.
38%
Woke political dialogue
Lee makes skeptical comments about religion, and the film includes brief discussion of abuse and gender roles. The movie does not contain repeated speeches about DEI, politics, or activism.
12%
Identity-driven story themes
Lee’s same-sex relationship is a clear part of her character and affects the family story. The film also centers the writers’ effort to reverse the usual exorcism roles for women, men, and the Church. These themes recur but do not replace the main addiction and possession story.
52%
Western institutional / cultural critique
The film links the Catholic Church with past abuse and delayed help. It also questions the Church’s role as a trusted rescuer. The criticism is important to the horror story, but it is not a broad attack on Western society.
32%
Woke character or canon changes
Not present in this title.
0%
Anti-woke backlash and complaints
Catholic Review gave a named outlet review that criticized the same-sex relationship and the film’s treatment of Catholic belief. The complaint was limited and did not become a large campaign. Most other public reaction focused on the film’s quality.
38%
Creator track record context
Joshua John Miller has a strong queer and identity-aware creative history. M.A. Fortin shares that pattern through repeated work with Miller. Producer Kevin Williamson also has a long record of queer-focused stories.
68%
Production
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