#11: Regan Gets the Needle
The Exorcist scared a whole lot of people. But surprisingly, the scene that scares me the most is one that is almost never mentioned, and in fact, is often deleted when shown on television.
After a personality change and a bucking bed, Regan’s mom decides it’s time for a visit to the doctor. After numerous examinations, the doctor wants to run a complete ‘test’ which involves strapping poor Regan down to a table and sticking a gigantic needle into her jugular.
The close-up of the needle sliding in sloooowly, the spurt of blood that follows, and the look of tortuous pain on Regan’s face sent my stomach squirming. Spinning head? Awesome. Pea soup puke? Gnarly. But this scene, of the defenseless little girl being tortured—and the viewer knows it’s not going to help—is almost impossible to watch.
Also interesting to note: another scene which is usually cut out of broadcasts is when the doctor puts Regan on a Ritalin-type drug to ‘cure’ her. The drug acts as a catalyst for the possession, reducing Regan to a zombie-like state and lowering her defenses against the demon.
A 1970s criticism of drugging children? Hmmm…maybe all the bratty kids on Ritalin don’t really have ADD. Maybe they’re possessed!