Modern critics and audiences alike seem to prefer original horror screenplays, as evidenced by the acclaim and box-office success for the recent spooky filmsWeapons(2025), Sinners (2025), and Obsession (2025). That being said, some of the most successful horror movies of all time are book adaptations.
For instance, the publication Colliderrecently released a list of the “10 perfect horror movies based on books,” which featured frightening films like 1990’s Misery, American Psycho from 2000, and The Silence of the Lambs, released in 1991. The Academy Award-nominated film 1973’s The Exorcist, known for its shocking scenes, took home the list’s top spot.
In a 2013 interview with World Over, the author of the 1971 Exorcist book and the film’s Oscar-winning screenplay, William Peter Blatty, theorized what makes the movie so frightening. He said he believed the story about the disturbing aftermath of young Regan MacNeil’s (Linda Blair) possession is “a wonderfully carpentered and told tale filled with suspense.”
In addition, the late author, who died in 2017 at the age of 89, said he is under the impression that fans are drawn to the movie as it deals with religion.
“I wrote the novel in the first place, which was apostolic, which is to reach souls by way of supporting their faith by giving them evidence that God exists, and this is done by implication,” said Blatty during the 2013 interview.
He went on to say that by convincing the audience “there really is something called demonic possession,” they can find comfort in the thoughts of angels.
“The next question is ‘Yeah, there are demons. Well, gee, why not angels? Wait a minute, that means death is not oblivion,'” continued the author.
During a 1984 interview on Good Morning America, alongside Blair, Blatty said aspects of The Exorcist were taken from an alleged 1949 supernatural situation involving a teenage boy.
“The film and the novel were inspired by that particular case. It gave me a sense of credibility that I was able to communicate, hopefully in the novel and the film. But I had to disguise it to protect the identity of the boy, who is still living and is married and has a family,” said Blatty while appearing on Good Morning America.
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