Universal Studios found itself in a precarious position with the release of “The Exorcist: Believer” over the weekend of October 6-8. The film, which was intended to be the first installment of a trilogy reboot of the iconic horror franchise, faced backlash from both critics and fans, putting the studio’s creative plans in jeopardy. Despite performing well at the box office and recouping its production costs, “Believer” did not meet the expectations of Universal, leaving them uncertain about the future of the franchise.
“The Exorcist: Believer” was produced by Blumhouse, who acquired the rights to the iconic horror franchise in 2021. Universal outbid other competitors to secure the theatrical rights for three movies, paying a staggering $400 million. The deal also included streaming rights for Peacock and theme park extensions, such as the “Exorcist: Believer” maze at Universal’s Halloween Horror Nights. With the streaming and theme park tie-ins, each film does not necessarily need to make $133 million at the box office to be considered a success.
However, despite the favorable financial terms of the deal, producer Jason Blum referred to “Believer” as “the riskiest movie I have ever made” due to its high production cost. The film marked the return of Ellen Burstyn to the franchise after her appearance in the original 1973 film directed by William Friedkin. Despite initial tracking numbers suggesting a $30-35 million opening weekend, “Believer” fell short, earning only $26.5 million. The film opened to $17.6 million in international markets, resulting in a lackluster global debut of $44.2 million.
David Herrin, the founder of tracking and research firm The Quorum, noted that even opening to $35 million would have been considered a disappointment. Bringing back beloved Intellectual Property (IP) does not guarantee matching the success of previous films in the franchise. The competition from other horror movies, a last-minute date change to avoid Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour concert film, and the limitations imposed by the SAG-AFTRA strike all contributed to the underperformance of “Believer”. Additionally, the critical and viewer response to the film may prompt Universal to remove it from theaters earlier than usual.
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While Universal remains committed to the franchise and plans to produce two more “Exorcist” films, the reception of “Believer” will likely necessitate creative re-evaluation for the next installments. The second film, titled “Deceiver” and scheduled for 2025, already has a completed script. Director David Gordon Green, who was expected to return for the sequel, expressed uncertainty about his involvement, stating that he is currently navigating the project from a story perspective and considering his personal commitments.
Despite the challenges faced by “The Exorcist: Believer”, Universal and Blumhouse have a potential success on the horizon. Their upcoming horror film, “Five Nights at Freddy’s,” inspired by the popular video game, is tracking to have a strong opening on October 27. This film, which will be released simultaneously on Peacock, has generated significant interest and anticipation among fans.
In conclusion, Universal Studios faced a dilemma with the release of “The Exorcist: Believer”. While the film performed adequately at the box office, it received backlash from reviewers and fans alike, posing challenges for the franchise’s future. However, Universal remains determined to continue the “Exorcist” trilogy and will likely re-evaluate their creative approach based on the reception of “Believer”. The studio also has a potential hit on their hands with the upcoming release of “Five Nights at Freddy’s.”
