Horror master John Carpenter told the Los Angeles Times that hes heard about the negative reaction to Universal and Blumhouses Exorcist reboot, which currently sits at a paltry 23% approval rating from critics on Rotten Tomatoes and opened to under $30 million at the box office. Universal spent $400 million on rights to the franchise with the intent of starting a new trilogy. The reboot, titled The Exorcist: Believer, is directed by David Gordon Green, who worked with Carpenter on the most recent Halloween reboot trilogy.
I like what David did when he made the three Halloweens,' Carpenter said. I loved No. 2 [Halloween Kills]. Thought that was fabulous. I heard The Exorcist really didnt cut it. That could be a kick-ass movie. I dont understand how you can screw that up.
Many critics would likely say that Green did screw that up. Variety film critic Owen Gleiberman wrote in his review that The Exorcist: Believer lacked dread, adding, The clichs of demonic possession pile up with dutiful nostalgia, but theyve lost their shock value.
Elsewhere in his Los Angeles Times interview, Carpenter revealed that Greta Gerwigs blockbuster comedy Barbie was a recent movie he watched from home. Barbie is the years biggest movie phenomenon with $1.4 billion and counting at the worldwide box office, the highest grossing release in Warner Bros. history. Carpenter said he wasnt really the target audience for the film.
I watched Barbie. I cant believe I watched Barbie. Its just not my generation, Carpenter said. I had nothing to do with Barbie dolls. I didnt know who Allan was. I mean, I can sum it up. She says, I dont have a vagina, and then at the end, Im going to go to a gynecologist! Thats the movie to me. I mean, theres a patriarchy business in there, but I missed that whole thing. Right over my head. But I think shes fabulous, Margot Robbie.
Barbie is available to watch in theaters and at home via digital platforms. The Exorcist: Believer is currently playing in theaters nationwide.