"Exorcist III" has a strong anchor in George C. Scott (as Det. Kinderman, played by Lee J. Cobb in the original "Exorcist"), an actor who gives a better performance than this type of film deserves. He is given good support by Ed Flanders (as Father Dyer), Brad Dourif (as the reincarnated "Gemini Killer") and Jason Miller, as Dourif's incarcerated 'host.' William Peter Blatty, author of the original novel, takes the screen writing and directing credit, producing a film that is shockingly effective in its subtlety--this is not a horror film of jump-scares and slit throats, but of atmosphere, mood, and contemplative discussion. While this adaptation of Blatty's unrelated novel "Legion" crams in the exorcism angle to questionable effect, he creates a tight, suspenseful tale with a dash of surrealism (what is up with that "heaven" sequence with Fabio?)--"Exorcist III" is a strong film and a fine franchise entry (especially after John Boorman's lamentable "Exorcist II: The Heretic"), but don't expect projectile vomiting, crucifix masturbation, and the other shock effects of its predecessor.
Review of The Exorcist III
