The Exorcist is a 1973 American supernatural horror movie directed by William Friedkin. It is based on the 1971 book by William Peter Blatty and is also based on the true events by 1949 exorcism case of Ronald Doe. It stars Max von Sydow, Ellen Burstyn, and Linda Blair with William O'Malley. It was released to positive reviews on December 26, 1973.