Repossessed (film)

Repossessed is a 1990 American comedy horror film that parodies the 1973 horror classic The Exorcist. The movie, written and directed by Bob Logan, features original Exorcist star Linda Blair alongside Leslie Nielsen and Anthony Starke. It humorously mocks famous moments from The Exorcist while also drawing on scandals involving televangelists from the 1980s.

Plot

In 1973, Father Jedediah Mayii successfully performs an exorcism on Nancy Aglet to rid her of demonic possession. By 1990, Nancy becomes possessed once more during an episode of The Ernest and Fanny Miracle Hour, a prosperity gospel television show.

Following a medical examination, Father Luke Brophy confirms that Nancy is indeed possessed again. Mayii refuses to conduct another exorcism due to the emotional toll of his previous experience. Brophy then approaches the Supreme Council for Exorcism Granting, where TV hosts Ernest and Fanny Weller propose broadcasting the exorcism live to reach millions of viewers. The council consents, initiating Ernest and Fanny's Exorcism Tonight.

Mayii tries to regain his strength at a gym but declines Brophy’s repeated requests to lead the ritual. Despite various televised attempts to expel the demon—including soliciting phone donations and hurling insults—the show attains record-breaking ratings. The devil, possessing Nancy, sets fire to the studio, admits to manipulating Ernest and Fanny for higher viewership, and transforms them into a pantomime horse.

The demon attempts to capture souls through the television cameras but is stopped when Brophy destroys the equipment. The devil escapes toward a satellite transmitter, chased by religious leaders from around the globe summoned by Brophy. Using the camera as bait to bring Mayii back for a final showdown, the exorcism—commentated by "Mean Gene" Okerlund and Jesse "The Body" Ventura—struggles until the devil admits he cannot tolerate rock 'n roll music.

Suddenly, the studio turns into a live concert stage where "Devil with a Blue Dress On" is performed by various religious figures, including The Pope, all playing guitars. The continuous music torments the demon until it is finally expelled from Nancy for good.

Cast

• Linda Blair as Nancy Aglet
• Ned Beatty as Ernest Weller
• Leslie Nielsen as Father Jedediah Mayii
• Anthony Starke as Father Luke Brophy
• Lana Schwab as Fanny Ray Weller
• Thom J. Sharp as Braydon Aglet
• Robert Fuller as Dr. Hackett
• Jesse Ventura as himself
• Gene Okerlund as himself
• Bob Zany as Studio Tour Guest
• Jake Steinfeld as himself
• Wally George as himself
• Jack LaLanne as himself
• Army Archerd as himself
• Gene Greytak portraying Pope John Paul II

Release

Distributed by New Line Cinema, the film had a limited theatrical run across the United States beginning in September 1990, shortly following the release of The Exorcist III.

Home media

Initially issued on VHS and laserdisc by LIVE Home Video in 1990, Repossessed later appeared on DVD through Artisan Entertainment in 2003. Lions Gate Entertainment re-released it in 2009 within their "Lost Collection" series and again in 2011 as part of a "4-Film Collection" alongside My Best Friend Is a Vampire, Slaughter High, and Silent Night, Deadly Night 3: Better Watch Out!.

In 2024 and 2025, Kino Lorber remastered and reissued the title in 4K on Blu-ray, first in Germany and subsequently in the United States.

Reception

Mick Martin and Marsha Porter described the movie as a "hilarious spoof," particularly emphasizing the contribution of Leslie Nielsen. Despite this, the overall critical reception was predominantly unfavorable. Craig MacInnes from the Toronto Star labeled it a "sporadic locker room comedy" with sexist elements, although he praised Linda Blair's performance and the special effects that convincingly replicated her possessed appearance from The Exorcist. Leonard Maltin awarded the film one and a half stars, commenting on its "insufficient humor, excessive targets, and a weak conclusion," while recognizing notable acting from both Blair and Nielsen.

On Rotten Tomatoes, the movie holds a score of 13%, derived from eight critic reviews.

At the 11th Golden Raspberry Awards, it received the Razzie for Worst Original Song for "He's Comin' Back (The Devil!)."