When a younger girl called Emily Rose dies, everyone puts blame on the exorcism which was performed on her by Father Moore prior to her death. The priest is arrested on suspicion of murder. The trial begins with lawyer Erin Bruner representing Moore, but it is not going to be easy, as no one wants to believe what Father Moore says is true.
As courtroom drama, The Exorcism of Emily Rose works effectively; as a scarefest, it misses the mark. But the performances stick with you, particularly that of Linney, who has an elegant steeliness.
– Moira MacDonald,
Seattle Times,
9 Sep 2005
fresh:
This is a horror movie, for once, which really wants us to use our heads.
– Peter Howell,
Toronto Star,
9 Sep 2005
fresh:
The performances are topnotch.
– Claudia Puig,
USA Today,
9 Sep 2005
fresh:
There's no green vomit and nobody's head ever rotates a full 360; we stay in the natural world and never enter a movie world, and that makes the movie a lot better.
– Stephen Hunter,
Washington Post,
9 Sep 2005
fresh:
Very scary stuff. And as a courtroom drama, very effective.