The Last Exorcism originally presents itself as a chilling documentary focused on a haunting exorcism, but it is important to note that the film is a complete work of fiction. This 2010 supernatural horror film, shot in a found-footage style, aimed to create a convincing illusion that it was inspired by actual events. The strategic choice to adopt a documentary format effectively captured the audience’s intrigue, leading to significant box office success as moviegoers flocked to theaters to discern the truth of its narrative.
The film features a notable cast, including Patrick Fabian as Cotton Marcus, Ashley Bell portraying Nell Margaret Sweetzer, and Caleb Landry Jones as Caleb Sweetzer. The original success of The Last Exorcism prompted the release of a sequel, The Last Exorcism Part II, on March 1, 2013. However, the sequel struggled to replicate the financial triumph of its predecessor, primarily due to the revelation that the film’s central gimmick had been exposed.
Filming Techniques to Enhance Authenticity
Marketing Strategies Amplifying the “True Story”Angle
The trailer for The Last Exorcism played a crucial role in promoting the illusion that the film was based on real events. It utilized dramatic voiceovers, featuring Reverend Cotton Marcus, alongside authentic-looking found footage, leading many to mistakenly perceive the film as non-fiction. Additionally, Lionsgate employed innovative promotional tactics, such as utilizing Chatroulette, a random video chat platform, to engage potential viewers.
This clever marketing approach leveraged the “based on true events”trope, propelling the film to a remarkable box office gross of $67.7 million against a modest budget of $1.8 million, while also garnering predominantly positive critical feedback. Audiences were captivated by the idea of a real story unfolding on screen, even though the narrative itself was entirely fictional. The filmmakers’ unique strategy greatly contributed to the project’s overall success.
The Influence of Documentary-Style Horror Films
Precedents Set by The Blair Witch Project and Paranormal Activity
The Last Exorcism successfully capitalized on the triumph of earlier found-footage horror films such as The Blair Witch Project and the Paranormal Activity series. While it was not the first to implement a documentary-style narrative, it did so effectively, drawing in audiences and maintaining their attention with its compelling content and marketing. The formula of blending authentic-looking cinematography with a gripping storyline proved to be advantageous at the box office.
Exploring Other Fictional Horror Films Masquerading as True Stories
A Historical Perspective on Horror Films’ Deceptive Narratives
The use of the “based on true events”marketing strategy is not a new phenomenon. In fact, it can be traced back to the 1970s, well before the release of The Blair Witch Project. In 1972, Wes Craven’s The Last House on the Left falsely claimed to be based on true events, although its story was actually inspired by Ingmar Bergman’s The Virgin Spring, which drew from an ancient folk ballad.
Similarly, Tobe Hooper’s The Texas Chainsaw Massacre famously opened with a title card claiming it was “based on a true story”—a statement that was misleading, though it drew inspiration from the real-life killer Ed Gein. Contrarily, films like The Silence of the Lambs, while based on Gein, did not present themselves as true stories.
A closer parallel to The Blair Witch Project and The Last Exorcism is The Wicker Man, which began with a fictional acknowledgment of cooperation from the imaginary Lord Summerisle and his subjects. This approach was similar to that of The Blair Witch in that it aimed to enhance the film’s horror by presenting a fabricated reality. Such tactics continue to shape the horror genre, prompting audiences to question the line between fiction and reality.