Dominion: Prequel to the Exorcist followed later that year by a DVD release. While William Peter Blatty, the author and screenwriter of "The Exorcist", described "Dominion" as "a handsome, classy, elegant piece of work", critical reaction to the film has nonetheless been mixed to negative. Many critics stated that it is only slightly better than Harlin's version, holding a rating of 30% on Rotten Tomatoes and a score of 55 out of 100 on Metacritic, whereas "Exorcist: The Beginning" holds a rating of 11% on Rotten Tomatoes and a score of 30 out of 100 on Metacritic. Nonetheless, the good reviews "Dominion" did get were
The Exorcist (film series) “[N]othing more than a religious porn film, the gaudiest piece of shlock this side of Cecil B. DeMille (minus that gentleman’s wit and ability to tell a story) …” Over the years, "The Exorcist"s critical reputation has grown considerably. The film currently has an 85% "Certified Fresh" approval rating on the Rotten Tomatoes website, based on 40 reviews the website collected. Some critics regard it as being one of the best and most effective horror films; admirers say the film balances a stellar script, gruesome effects, and outstanding performances. However, the movie has its detractors as well, including Kim Newman