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Okay, here's my take on who the audience typically roots for and against in The Exorcist, based on my understanding of the film and audience responses over time:
Characters the Audience Roots For (Generally):
Regan MacNeil: This is probably the easiest and most obvious answer. While possessed, Regan does and says horrific things, she is not in control. She's a child, innocent and terrified. The audience empathizes with her suffering, particularly as her ordeal escalates. Her vulnerability and the grotesque violation of her innocence are inherently sympathetic. The audience roots for her to be saved, to be freed from Pazuzu's grip. Specific moments that cement this are her moments of lucidity where she begs for help, the visible pain she experiences during fits, and the inherent tragedy of a child undergoing such torture.
Chris MacNeil: Regan's mother is a primary figure of empathy. She is desperate and loving, doing everything in her power to save her daughter. She faces disbelief, medical skepticism, and the growing horror of the situation with increasing desperation and courage. Her actions, like seeking every possible medical explanation and ultimately turning to the Church as a last resort, demonstrate unwavering maternal love and dedication. The audience identifies with her helplessness in the face of the supernatural, making her a relatable, human anchor in the film's chaos.
Father Damien Karras: Karras is a complex character, battling his own inner demons (loss of faith, guilt over his mother's death) before being confronted with the exorcism. His initial reluctance to believe in possession, followed by his careful investigation and gradual acceptance of the truth, makes him a believable, flawed hero. The audience roots for him because he embodies the struggle to find faith in a world of darkness. His ultimate sacrifice – provoking Pazuzu to possess him instead of Regan – is a powerful act of selflessness that solidifies him as a sympathetic figure.
Father Lankester Merrin: While a more stoic and enigmatic figure than Karras, Merrin is respected and admired. His experience in exorcism, his deep faith, and his determination to confront evil make him a figure of hope and authority. The audience sees him as the seasoned professional who is best equipped to fight this evil. He embodies the Church's strength and commitment, and his warnings throughout the film add a sense of dread and the seriousness of what they are about to face.
Characters the Audience Roots Against (Generally):
Pazuzu (The Demon): This is the quintessential antagonist. Pazuzu is the force inflicting unimaginable suffering on Regan, mocking and tormenting those trying to help her. The demon's cruel and blasphemous words, the desecration of religious symbols, and the overall violation of Regan are all designed to evoke revulsion and a desire for its defeat. The audience is meant to see Pazuzu as the embodiment of pure evil, the enemy to be vanquished.
The Doctors and Psychiatrists: I would say not root "against" them per se, but more feel frustrated with them. These characters aren't inherently evil, but they represent the limitations of science in the face of the supernatural. Their initial skepticism and reliance on medical explanations delay the exorcism and prolong Regan's suffering. The audience's frustration stems from their inability to grasp the true nature of the problem, and the time they lose trying to fix Regan with science that isn't working.
In Summary:
The audience's allegiances in "The Exorcist" are primarily based on empathy, compassion, and the desire to see innocence protected from evil. Characters who suffer, who act selflessly, and who fight against the darkness are the ones we root for. The demon, and those who inadvertently contribute to the suffering through disbelief or ignorance, become the targets of our aversion.
(Note: This summary was generated by Gemini 2.0 Flash)
The summary omits Detective Kinderman, a character the audience generally roots for because of his intelligence, humanity, and role as a grounded investigator.
The summary omits Burke Dennings, a character the audience often roots against or finds abrasive due to his eccentric, alcoholic, and sometimes unlikable behavior.
The summary frames the doctors as merely 'frustrating,' missing the intentional 'medical horror' aspect where the audience is repulsed by the invasive procedures they perform on Regan.
In 'The Exorcist' (1973), the audience primarily roots for the protagonists: Regan MacNeil (the innocent victim), Chris MacNeil (the desperate mother), Father Damien Karras (the flawed hero seeking redemption), and Father Lankester Merrin (the authoritative expert). Empathy for Regan is driven by her vulnerability and the violation of her innocence. Chris is rooted for as a relatable, loving parent. Karras is the emotional center, and his ultimate self-sacrifice to save Regan is the film's heroic climax. Conversely, the audience roots against Pazuzu (the demon), who is the embodiment of pure evil. Additionally, the audience often feels a strong aversion toward the doctors and psychiatrists; while not 'evil,' their actions are portrayed as a form of 'medical horror'—invasive, traumatic, and ultimately useless procedures that mirror the demon's violation of Regan. Secondary characters like Detective Kinderman are generally liked for their humanity, while Burke Dennings is often viewed as an unlikable or abrasive figure.