Horrible Sites: Makeup and Production Design for The Exorcist

The Exorcist is widely considered one of the scariest films ever made. Released in 1973, the film, which pits the Catholic church against a demon for control of a young girl’s soul, has shocked and fascinated generations of viewers. Directed by William Friedkin and written by William Peter Blatty, adapting his own best-selling 1971 novel, the film made an essential contribution to the horror genre. With material drawn from MoMI’s permanent collection, this exhibit explores the film’s production and makeup design, detailing how a stylish townhouse in Georgetown, Washington, D.C., and an innocent young girl were transformed into sites of horror. 

Now on view in the Museum’s core Behind the Screen exhibition.