In 1977, John Boorman released Exorcist II: The Heretic, a sequel so ambitious, surreal, and baffling that it nearly exorcised his career right out of Hollywood. Now, nearly fifty years later, Yellow Veil Pictures has acquired the North American rights to Boorman and the Devil, a documentary dedicated to one of cinema’s most fascinating “glorious failures.”
Directed by David Kittredge and produced alongside genre veteran Travis Stevens (Jodorowsky’s Dune), the film is a deep dive into the chaos, the legacy, and the sheer audacity of a sequel that refused to play it safe.
A Love Letter to the “Big Swing”
While Exorcist II is often cited as one of the most infamous follow-ups in history, Boorman and the Devil seek to reframe the narrative rather than mock the locusts and the tap-dancing. The documentary explores the importance of taking massive creative risks.
The film features a “who’s who” of genre royalty discussing the sequel’s cult status and Boorman’s visionary (if polarizing) approach, including:
-The Icons: John Boorman himself, Linda Blair, and Louise Fletcher.
-The Modern Masters: Mike Flanagan (The Haunting of Hill House), Karyn Kusama (Jennifer’s Body), and Joe Dante (Gremlins).
From Venice to the Big Screen
After a buzzy premiere at the 82nd Venice International Film Festival, the documentary caught the eye of Yellow Veil. Director David Kittredge expressed his excitement about the partnership, noting that the team at Yellow Veil shares his passion for “ambitious filmmaking that takes huge risks.”
“In 1977, John Boorman took an enormous creative and commercial swing… which didn’t connect with almost anybody at the time,” says Kittredge. “But now we can look back and appreciate how big creative swings are what going to the movies is all about.”
Coming Soon
If you’re ready to revisit the madness of the Pazuzu-filled sequel through a new lens, here is when you can catch it: The doc will hit New York City on August 28, followed by LA and Nationwide screenings on September 4, 2026. We should possess the trailer soon. In the meantime, you’ve got the perfect excuse for a binge day in front of your TV. Watch the original Exorcist, Exorcist II, and Exorcist III, all on Prime Video.
