AMIAH MILLER, ELSIE FISHER, CATHERINE JOYCE ANG and RACHEL OGECHI star in MY BEST FRIEND’S EXORCISM Photo: ELIZA MORSE © AMAZON CONTENT SERVICES LLC
My Best Friend’s Exorcism, directed by Damon Thomas, is a glorious black comedy homage to films from the 1980s. Set in 1988, it follows best friends Abby (Elsie Fisher) and Gretchen (Amiah Miller) as Abby tries to save Gretchen from being possessed by a demon. Heavy on themes of friendship and coming of age, My Best Friend’s Exorcism is an excellent film to watch if you’re looking for a comedic, supernatural take on growing up in the 1980s.
High schoolers Abby, Gretchen, and their friends Margaret (Rachel Ogechi Kanu) and Glee (Cathy Ang) have a weekend away at Margaret’s family’s lake house. While there, they all take LSD and Gretchen and Abby explore one of the haunted buildings nearby. Abby and Gretchen get separated, and when Gretchen finally does come back out, something’s…off about her. Different, even after the drugs wear off. And it seems as though Abby is the only one who can see it. After some investigating, Abby comes to believe that Gretchen is possessed by a demon. She begins to fight for the real Gretchen, going up against uncaring parents and teachers, and inadvertently causing problems among the friend group she’s trying to help.
It was exceedingly refreshing to find a film that dealt so heavily with the power of true friendship between two girls. So often girl friendship in high school ends up devolving into troubles with boys, or falls apart due to something trivial, but here, Abby’s love for Gretchen is clear. Elsie Fisher is a standout in this film. Abby’s extremely hurt as Gretchen continues to push her away, but it is Abby’s strength and resolve which saves both of them. Fisher shows both in her acting, improving the film beyond its slightly silly premise as a result.
My Best Friend’s Exorcism is a funny, light-hearted coming of age horror story. It never leans too hard into the 1980s, or the horror. With some wonderful acting from Fisher, the film is an excellent friendship story that is willing to go the extra mile.
My Best Friend’s Exorcism
2022
dir. Damon Thomas
97 min.
Now streaming on Amazon Prime
