Following the success of Happy Death Day and Freaky it seems that the teen horror might be making something of a return. Having been popular during both the eighties and nineties, the sub-genre faded during the noughties. The horror landscape was instead replaced with the torture porn era before moving onto the haunted house period spurred by The Conjuring universe. Now though, with films such as Bodies, Bodies, Bodies and last year’s Fear Street trilogy, it seems that the tides might be shifting once more. The latest film to push the teenage quota is Damon Thomas’ My Best Friend’s Exorcism.
Based on the novel of the same name by author Grady Hendrix, My Best Friend’s Exorcism is an eighties-set tale of the power of friendship. Abby (Elsie Fisher) and Gretchen (Amiah Miller) are the best of friends. They spend every waking moment in contact with each other, hanging out at school, sleeping over at each other’s houses, or talking on the phone together. The pair are inseparable. However, after the teens go skinny-dipping with some friends near a rumoured haunted abandoned property, their relationship changes. Gretchen suddenly doesn’t seem to be herself and with no one else around willing to acknowledge her unusual behaviour, it’s left to Abby alone to save her BFF.
Having previously worked exclusively in television, My Best Friend’s Exorcism marks Thomas’ first step into feature films. With previous credits including an episode of the most recent adaptation of Dracula, as well as several episodes of Penny Dreadful and Killing Eve, the director has a strong pedigree for working within darker subject matters. Thomas utilises that experience here to create an eighties variant on Karyn Kusama’s Jennifer’s Body. The director captures the same energy as Kusana, but filters it through the words of Jenna Lamia’s script adaptation of Hendrix’ book to bring a lighter tone.
Set in the year 1988, My Best Friend’s Exorcism pushes the eighties aesthetic to its absolute limit. Whereas properties such as Stranger Things tap into the alternative elements of the decade, here everything is light and bright. My Best Friend’s Exorcism dials up the pastels; the whole vibe is peak bubblegum pop. The soundtrack reflects the decade in all its glory, featuring tracks from A-Ha, Tiffany, Blondie, and Culture Club amongst others. Even the Ryland Blackinton’s score sticks close to the bygone era, sounding like a suspense-filled riff off of Tangerine Dreams’ Risky Business music.
Rather than spend too much time building the bond between Abby and Gretchen, Thomas races to the event that will tear them apart. Although it isn’t long before the pair arrive at the point of separation, Thomas does still manage to convey the bond between the two. Instead of spending a significant portion of the film building their connection, Thomas says everything that needs to be said with the use of a frenetic opening montage. Filled with shots of the two doing all the things that best friends do, this short collection of moments communicates everything the audience needs to know all on its own.
The performances of Fisher and Miller are great. Fisher is no stranger to films about the teenage experience; Eighth Grade being one of the best coming-of-age movies in years, and her experience shines. Though the framework here is more fantastical, Fisher manages to keep herself grounded. Miller also knows when to pull back her performance to let the emotion of the story shine. As Gretchen, she’s far more than just the possessed monster. There are several points where the viewer is privy to Gretchen’s ordeal and it creates an easy sympathy for her. It’s something that was lacking in Jennifer’s Body, with Megan Fox’s titular teen becoming a pure villain after her initial attack. The decision to show both sides of the possession infuses My Best Friend’s Exorcism with a deeper sense of heart and connection, vital ingredients for the finale to pay off.
Although the horror elements are there, My Best Friend’s Exorcism isn’t constructed to give the viewer nightmares. It taps into that same vein of frights, humour, and fashion that made a generation fall in love with The Lost Boys. As with Joel Schumacher’s 1987 classic, My Best Friend’s Exorcism wants its audience to have fun. It borrows a lot from the Schumacher film, even having its own variation of The Frog Brothers. The comic book store vampire hunters are replaced with The Lemon Brothers, members of Faith Fitness, a trio of brothers who spread the word of God and aerobics to school’s across America. Abby links up with the youngest brother of the trio, Christian (Chris Lowell), to try and save Gretchen’s soul. Christian is just as entertaining as Edgar and Alan Frog with Lowell effortlessly injecting comedy into the piece.
Thomas doesn’t forgo the horror entirely. There are a handful of well constructed scare sequences, one being the encounter in the haunted house, the other surrounding the possession, but the focus is on the power of friendship. In a similar way to The Lost Boys using the ties of brothers and family, Thomas’ film seeks to do the same for female friendship. So often films and television shows hone in on the bitchiness of girls and their capacity for viciousness. Whilst that is explored here, a stronger emphasis is placed on love. Abby is willing to do anything to help her friend. That representation matters. With female characters in teenage texts always against each other – Mean Girls, The Craft etc. – it’s important to show that some friendships can weather even the most unusual of storms.
For those that have read the book, the essence of the story remains faithful, though plenty of changes have been made. Whereas the novel saw Abby thinking back on that summer from her teens, the film is set purely within that time. The ending too gets a reworking, one that works within the parameters of the movie and its target audience. Book fans should also stay for the end credits as they are a loving homage to the iconic cover art.
Bright and breezy bubblegum pop, My Best Friend’s Exorcism proves demonic possessions don’t have to just be dark and harrowing. A film which continues its source materials mantra of fun, frights and friendship My Best Friend’s Exorcism is the perfect tonic to some of the more disturbing genre films on the circuit right now. An adaptation that keeps the essence of its origin whilst changing things to open the story out to a wider audience, Thomas’ feature debut is sure to win over the teen crowd.
My Best Friend’s Exorcism
Summary
My Best Friend’s Exorcism channels some of the best – Heathers, Ginger Snaps, The Lost Boys, Jennifer’s Body – to become a future teen dream sensation.
My Best Friend’s Exorcism arrives on Amazon Prime on 30th September 2022.
