Hollywood loves a success story, but sometimes its biggest failures leave behind the most fascinating stories. That’s the idea at the heart of Boorman and the Devil, a new documentary from director David Kittredge that revisits the making of Exorcist II: The Heretic—a film that has spent decades being labeled one of the biggest misfires in movie history.
Instead of asking audiences to decide whether the sequel was good or bad, the documentary invites them to look at something deeper: the creative ambition behind it and the filmmaker who dared to take such an enormous swing.
After the critical and commercial success of Point Blank and Deliverance, acclaimed director John Boorman was given what many would consider the opportunity of a lifetime directing the sequel to the hugely successful The Exorcist. What followed has become part of Hollywood legend. The film struggled with critics, disappointed at the box office and cast a long shadow over Boorman’s career.
But was that really the whole story?
That’s the question Kittredge sets out to answer.
Drawing on interviews with Boorman, Linda Blair, Louise Fletcher, Joe Dante, Mike Flanagan, Karyn Kusama and other filmmakers, Boorman and the Devil paints a fuller picture of what happened behind the scenes. Rather than dwelling on the movie’s reputation, the documentary explores the risks, creativity and artistic conviction that shaped it.
The result appears to be less of a defense of Exorcist II and more of a conversation about how Hollywood treats ambitious filmmakers when their boldest ideas don’t immediately connect with audiences.
That passion is personal for Kittredge.
In his director’s statement, he recalls discovering Exorcist II: The Heretic as a teenager. While many dismissed the film, he saw something completely different, a visually daring, unconventional work filled with unforgettable imagery and ideas that refused to play by the rules. That early fascination eventually grew into a seven-year journey to tell the story behind one of cinema’s most misunderstood productions.
Kittredge is no stranger to exploring overlooked corners of film history. An Emmy nominee for Queer for Fear: The History of Queer Horror, he’s built a reputation for examining stories that deserve another look. With Boorman and the Devil, he once again turns his attention to a piece of cinema history that has often been reduced to headlines and harsh reviews.
One of the documentary’s biggest strengths is that it asks audiences to think beyond the label of “failure.” Sometimes a film’s greatest legacy isn’t found in awards or box office numbers, but in the conversations, it continues to spark years later.
Trailer:
That’s especially relevant today, when studios are often criticized for playing it safe. Boorman and the Devil reminds viewers that some of Hollywood’s boldest creative risks come with equally dramatic consequences.
At its heart, the documentary isn’t just about Exorcist II: The Heretic. It’s about artistic courage the willingness to chase an idea even when success isn’t guaranteed. Whether audiences leave with a newfound appreciation for Boorman’s controversial sequel or simply a better understanding of the creative process, the documentary encourages them to reconsider a chapter of Hollywood history that’s often been oversimplified.
For movie lovers, filmmakers and anyone fascinated by cinema’s greatest behind-the-scenes stories, Boorman and the Devil promises an insightful look at the fine line between artistic vision and commercial expectation.
Credit: Source link