Exorcist II documentary sets August release

In the world of filmmaking, some movies are landmarks, and others are cautionary tales. Exorcist II: The Heretic stands firmly in the latter category—a legendary sequel that proved to be both a critical disappointment and a massive creative gamble for director Sir John Boorman.

Eight months ago, this story was still searching for a voice. Despite earning rave reviews on the festival circuit, the film remained without a distributor. Now, that wait is over. The documentary Boorman and the Devil has secured distribution with Yellow Veil and is gearing up for a theatrical rollout that promises to bring this behind-the-scenes drama to a wider audience.

The documentary dives deep into the ambitious, chaotic creation of the film itself. It examines the creative risks taken by Boorman, exploring why filmmakers often need to take enormous swings to truly redefine their careers. The core thesis is that these bold creative moves are essential to cinema.

The journey of Exorcist II: The Heretic began after success stories like Point Blank and Deliverance, which gave Boorman the platform to tackle another monumental horror sequel. The resulting film became one of cinema’s most debated entries, dramatically altering Boorman’s trajectory.

Boorman and the Devil pulls back the curtain on this legendary production, featuring intimate interviews with John Boorman alongside stars from the original film like Linda Blair and Louise Fletcher. The documentary also brings in other titans of cinema, including directors Karyn Kusama, Joe Dante, and Mike Flanagan, reflecting on the art of making movies under pressure.

The collective reflections highlight how daring creative swings define great filmmaking. As director David Kittredge noted, taking huge risks—even ones that don’t immediately connect with audiences—is what drives innovation in the industry.

This exploration of cinematic risk has already garnered significant attention. Critics have hailed the documentary for its nostalgic look at a golden era of ambitious filmmaking, with outlets like The Hollywood Reporter calling it “the crazy story behind Exorcist II: The Heretic” and IndieWire describing it as a “dazzling reflection on the career of John Boorman.”

The film, directed and edited by David Kittredge, is a rich tapestry woven with motion graphics and music, offering fans of horror history and Hollywood lore an essential viewing experience. For anyone fascinated by the complex history of horror sequels or the high-stakes world of Hollywood production, Boorman and the Devil is a must-see film.

The theatrical release schedule kicks off on August 28 with an exclusive showing at The Quad in New York City, before expanding to cities including Los Angeles, Columbus, Houston, Pittsburgh, and Philadelphia starting September 4. This is a cinematic event that celebrates the audacity of creation.