Although there are five official sequels (including two versions of the same movie) and a TV show, The Exorcist III remains the only follow-up worthy of that vaunted horror name. Even the studio's late-stage tampering couldn't sabotage an excellent, underrated coda that takes the ideas of the original film in a new direction. Blatty originally wanted original Exorcist director William Friedkin to helm the picture, but when Friedkin passed, Blatty insisted on directing himself. If The Exorcist was about the power of faith, The Exorcist III is about evil’s need to assert its presence. Despite continuity errors, a sometimes-murky narrative, and its disjointed third act, The Exorcist III is a superb horror movie.