However, as the priests begin the exorcism, the demon becomes more powerful. ..
When is Regan possessed?
Chris is working on a movie – being directed by her friend, Burke Dennings. For the duration of production, she is living in a new house with her daughter and servants. They appear to be having a swell time. However, soon situations change for the worse.
Regan tells a story of an imaginary friend who she calls Captain Howdy. The noises coming from the attic are not just imaginary, but seem to be coming from the captain himself. Soon Regan is completely unnerved by her new friend and can’t help but become ethereal herself.
What is Karras going through?
Damien Karras is facing a crisis of faith – as to whether it’s right for him to counsel other priests. He regrets not being there for his mother when she passed away. In his nightmares, he sees his mother, a St. Joseph Medallion, and a demonic face. It can be inferred he is bothered by the thought of his mother suffering in hell after death.
Regan’s situation worsens
During a party hosted by Chris, Regan pees in front of the guests. After Chris tucks her in, her bed judders as if by some invisible force. Regan gets highly unpredictable. During one of her medical tests, she uses very offensive language fluently in a way that can never be associated with a 12-year-old.
The woman’s appearance begins to change, becoming increasingly pale and violent.
What happens next?
Chris reaches out to Karras to conduct an exorcism in order to clear his conscience.
Karras wants to see the victim first in order to determine whether or not he needs to perform the process. During Karras’ two visits, Regan exhibits indomitable strength and shows every sign of being possessed by a demon. She uses unspeakable words for Karras. When Karras sprinkles holy water on her, it appears as though her aggression is wringing her out.
Karras is convinced that Regan is possessed and asks his superior for permission to perform an exorcism. He is given permission, but only if it is done by an experienced priest - while he assists. Father Lankester Merrin is then called to perform the exorcism. ..
What happens during the exorcism?
Merrin and Karras start reading the holy text from Roman Ritual. The demon cusses the priests – and takes aim at Karras’ dead mother in particular. The demon briefly takes the form of Karras’ mother – something he can’t tolerate. He steps outside the room, and Merrin continues the process by herself.
When Karras re-enters, he is shocked to find Merrin dead. He thuds on Merrin’s chest trying to revive him. Eventually, in a fit of rage, he starts beating Regan.
Karras jumps out the window and rolls down the stairs, escaping from the demon.
In the end, Regan is healed and Karras is dead.
Does Karras’ sacrifice have a hidden meaning?
It is easy to notice that Karras sacrificed his life for Regan. But did you notice a different aspect of the priest’s sacrifice? All along, the devil tries to convince Damien that his mother is in hell after death where there is nothing but suffering. Damien Karras also sees his mother during the exorcism. ..
Heavily burdened with the guilt of abandoning his mother, it’s possible that he fell for the psychological trickery applied by the demon. The sacrifice he made was probably both to save Regan and to meet his mother.
The Extended Director’s Cut of The Exorcist was released in 2000, and it’s well worth a watch! In this version, the ending was extended, and it provides a more complete and satisfying experience.
