Almost two decades after its release, director Scott Derrickson reflects on The Exorcism of Emily Rose, a 2005 horror film loosely based on a true story. The movie follows a lawyer handling a case involving a priest who performed an exorcism on a young girl, featuring a cast including Laura Linney, Tom Wilkinson, Shohreh Aghdashloo, Campbell Scott, and Jennifer Carpenter.
Derrickson recently shared on Twitter his plans to revisit the film with his sons, aged 18 and 20, who had never seen it before. After watching it, he reported that his sons loved the movie, and he found it better than expected.
Despite receiving mixed reviews, with a 45% rating on Rotten Tomatoes from critics and a 60% audience approval rating, The Exorcism of Emily Rose was a box office success, grossing $145.1 million worldwide on a $19 million budget. This success marked Derrickson's directorial debut and helped establish his career.
Following The Exorcism of Emily Rose, Derrickson went on to direct Sinister, which received better reviews at 63% on Rotten Tomatoes. The film also showcased Ethan Hawke in a horror role, expanding his acting repertoire.
Continuing his success in the horror genre, Derrickson's recent film, The Black Phone, received positive feedback from both critics and audiences. The movie featured a standout performance by Hawke as the villain, The Grabber.
Looking ahead, Derrickson has announced The Black Phone 2, set for release on June 27, 2025, and is working on a remake of The Night of the Hunter. His evolution as a filmmaker since The Exorcism of Emily Rose demonstrates his growth and continued impact in the genre.
