Difference between revisions of "The Exorcist"

Revision as of 17:48, November 21, 2025

The Exorcist is a 1971 horror novel written by William Peter Blatty, detailing the demonic possession of a young girl called Regan MacNeil and is based on a real-life exorcism of a teenage boy that took place in the 1940s. The book was adapted into a highly successful film in 1973.

References to The Exorcist in The Simpsons

Episodes

Season	Episode number	Episode name	Reference
2	16	"Treehouse of Horror"	In the "Bad Dream House" segment, Maggie's head turns all the way around, the same as Regan MacNeil when possessed by the devil.
7	131	"Home Sweet Homediddly-Dum-Doodily"	Maggie's head turns halfway round in the Flanders' car.
10	208	"When You Dish Upon a Star"	Homer turns his head 180° and then 270° before he turns it back to normal.
17	360	"Treehouse of Horror XVI"	At the end of "Bartificial Intelligence", it is revealed that the segment was actually a dream that Homer was having while possessed by the devil. A priest arrives and throws holy water on him, causing Homer to turn his head around multiple times and climb on the ceiling.
25	532	"Treehouse of Horror XXIV"	Alexander Duke is credited as "The Dukexorcist".
29	622	"Treehouse of Horror XXVIII"	The "Exor-Sis" segment is based on The Exorcist.
639	"Flanders' Ladder"	Bart tricks Lisa into getting a jumpscare from "The Scary Maze Game". The jumpscare in the real-world game is taken from the 1973 Exorcist film.
37	793	"Treehouse of Horror XXXVI"	Krusty's 1995 Halloween special parodies The Exorcist as 'The Yuk-sorcist'.

Comics

Picture	Comic issue	Story name	Reference
	Bart Simpson's Treehouse of Horror #2	The Exorsister!	The plot is based on The Exorcist, with Lisa becoming possessed by the spirit of Madonna.

Video games

Picture	Game	Reference
	The Simpsons: Virtual Springfield	If the player collects a book from the Stonecutters and then goes to the Flanders' house, a scenario can happen where Rod and Todd become possessed, with Todd flying and Rod vomiting while his head rotates in the same manner as The Exorcist.
	The Simpsons: Tapped Out	In the premium gameplay of the Treehouse of Horror 2015 update, a discussion takes place between Kirk and Luann Van Houten where Kirk says "When you were the girl from The Exorcist, I was projectile vomit."

Common Cast and Crew

Picture	Name	Role in The Exorcist	Role on The Simpsons
	William Friedkin	Directed the film.	Voiced Dr. Kenneth Humphries in "Treehouse of Horror XXVIII".
	Max von Sydow	Played the priest Lankester Merrin in the film.	Voiced Klaus Ziegler in "The War of Art".

External links

The Exorcist (novel) at Wikipedia
The Exorcist (film) at Wikipedia

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