Summary
Ryan Simpkins makes their return to the horror genre withThe Exorcism. Sibling to theJurassic WorldandInsidiousfranchise star Ty Simpkins, Ryan first broke out on the big screen with the crime thrillerPride and Gloryand the period dramaRevolutionary Road. They’ve since steadily built a name for themselves in the horror genre akin to their brother, including Francis Ford Coppola’sTwixt, 2015’sAnguish,andNetflix’sFear Street Part Two: 1978.
InThe Exorcism, Simpkins stars as Lee Miller, the daughter of struggling actor Anthony who moves back in with him after troubles at college, though she has a complicated relationship with him due to his own past struggles with alcoholism and other vices. Lee’s return home comes right as Anthony gets offered the lead role in a horror movie akin toThe Exorcist, which could very well be the comeback he needs for his career. However, when his behavior begins turning erratic and concerning, Lee must help him in any way she can, even if it’s something not of this world.
Every Horror Movie Releasing In 2024
2024 has already seen some great horror movies with more coming, including sequels like Smile 2 and new movies by A24 like Heretic. When are they out?
In addition to Simpkins, the ensembleExorcismcast includes Russell Crowe as Anthony, Sam Worthington, Chloe Bailey, David Hyde Pierce, Marcenae Lynette, Tracey Bonner, Samantha Mathis, Adrian Pasdar, and Adam Goldberg. Hailing fromThe Final GirlsandQueen of the Southduo Joshua J Miller and M.A. Fortin, the movie is a unique and meta twist to the exorcism genre carried by great performances from its cast, particularly those of Crowe and Simpkins.
In honor of the movie’s release,Screen Rantinterviewed Ryan Simpkins to discussThe Exorcism, how they related to their character, their love of the horror genre, and how their longtime friendship with Russell Crowe proved beneficial for playing father and daughter in the film.
The ExorcismLooks To “Flip” The Tradition Of The Horror Subgenre
More than just enjoying the horror genre, Simpkins found they were really moved by the wayThe Exorcismwas out to flip the traditions of the exorcist subgenre. In particular, they found this came from their character, with Lee being “a really passionate, headstrong person” while also relating to her being a “young, queer woman in the film world”:
Ryan Simpkins: I just thought Lee was really cool. She’s a really passionate, headstrong person who’s not afraid to be herself and speak her mind, and I found that really relatable. She’s also a young, queer woman in the film world, which I also found really relatable. And I love the horror genre, I think it’s really exciting, and to make a movie about the tradition of exorcist films, and to flip that tradition on its head, too. The man is usually in power, and the woman is normally the victim. And in this, we were able to turn that inside out and flip it, which is really exciting. I only want to make movies that are innovative in that way.
Simpkins Rewatched 1 Classic To Prepare For Filming
While there have been a number of movies in the subgenre throughout the years, Simpkins acknowledges thatThe Exorcistis still the most influentialof them all, while also calling it one of their favorite movies of all time. They even went on to discuss how Ellen Burstyn’s Oscar-nominated role in the 1973 classic was a major inspiration for their performance as Lee, namely the “tragedy” of both of their story arcs:
Ryan Simpkins: I’ve always loved The Exorcist, it’s one of my favorites. I think that’s an incredible film, so I definitely rewatched that a few times, and was constantly thinking about the roles that Ellen Burstyn finds herself in, but also the role of the key priest in that movie. I think there’s a tragedy in that film that is that is present in ours, and there’s a hope against hope that I felt really drawn to. It’s fun to dive into tragedy. I think what’s great about about the original Exorcist is that there is a grounded family at the heart of it. And that is what makes the stakes higher, and what makes the family family, and the scary scary.
Crowe Has Been Part Of Simpkins' Life Well BeforeThe Exorcism
With Anthony and Lee’s frayed relationship being one of the biggest points of focus forThe Exorcism, building a believable dynamic between Crowe and Simpkins was important to making the movie work. Interestingly, this proved relatively easy for Simpkins, not only because Crowe is a “really giving” actor, but also because they’ve been in each others' lives for a long time, with the Oscar winner having “always been a good family friend”:
Ryan Simpkins: Russell’s great, he’s a really loyal person. I’ve known him, actually, since I was like 12. He’s always been a good family friend, he always sends us Christmas gifts. But for a while, during the casting of this movie, they hadn’t cast that part, and they were just casting mine, so I was auditioning for this before Russell was cast. And then once we found out it was the other person, we were both like, “We have to make this work.” And it did, thank God. I think because we’ve known each other for so long, I wasn’t intimidated by this movie star stature that he seems to have.
But he wasn’t also afraid of meeting a new person. We were just able to get past that and talk to each other like people, and figure out where these characters were coming from, and bring a lot of that natural chemistry to the film. We’re also both Aries, we’re both really strong-headed people, we’re both really passionate people. I think the characters clash in a fun and exciting way that we were able to bring. He’s a chiller, and he just cares. He just wants to make the best movie possible, which I do, too. We both really love film, and he was just really, really giving, and I always felt really looked out for.
There was one moment we had where we were doing a scene, I said a line, he’s supposed to say a line, and I’m waiting for him to do it, waiting for him to do it. I’m not looking at him, waiting for him, until finally I looked at him, like, “It’s your line,” and then he delivered it. And then he was like, “I wanted the light to hit your eyes.” And it was a shot on me, he didn’t have to do that, but he’s just already seeing the movie in his head that he’s just so giving in that way.
Chloe Bailey’s “Naturally” Charismatic Personality Was A Thrill For Simpkins
In addition to Anthony and Lee,The Exorcismspends a fair amount of time developing the bond between the latter and Chloe Bailey’s Blake Holloway, a co-star of Anthony’s in the horror movie-within-the-movie. Simpkins went on to praise getting to work with Bailey, celebrating her as a “naturally really charismatic person” and recalling the fun experiences they had working with one another on set:
Ryan Simpkins: She’s the best, I really liked Chloe. She’s just a naturally really charismatic person, she’s super magnetic, and she’s actually so sweet. It was great to be able to have someone my age to hang out with between takes and gossip, and go see movies and get drinks. We just hung out, she’s just a total killer, so I was really grateful to have a partner like that in the film.
AboutThe Exorcism
Academy Award-winner Russell Crowe stars as Anthony Miller, a troubled actor who begins to unravel while shooting a supernatural horror film. His estranged daughter, Lee (Ryan Simpkins), wonders if he’s slipping back into his past addictions or if there’s something more sinister at play. The film also stars Sam Worthington, Chloe Bailey, Adam Goldberg and David Hyde Pierce.
The Exorcism
Cast
A troubled actor, Anthony Miller, portrayed by Russell Crowe, begins to unravel while shooting a supernatural horror film. His daughter, Lee, played by Ryan Simpkins, suspects his erratic behavior might be due to his past addictions or something far more sinister. As the film progresses, the line between reality and the supernatural blurs, leading to a tense and chilling climax.
