Common Sense Note
Parents need to know that The Last Exorcism is a fictional horror movie shot in documentary style, much like The Blair Witch Project and Paranormal Activity. It's not as relentlessly scary as those R-rated films -- there's a long setup before anything horrific happens -- but once it does get going, it can be very violent and highly disturbing. Though there's some blood and plenty of "jump" scenes, most of the horror is suggested rather than shown, but that actually makes it all the more vivid to the viewer's imagination. There's discussion of a character with a drinking problem, as well as talk of potential rape and incest.
Sexual
Content
It's revealed that the teenage Nell is pregnant (it's suggested that the baby is her father's, but later a teenage boy is blamed for the deed).
Violence
A teenage boy's face is slashed off screen; viewers see lots of blood. In one scene, Nell borrows the camera and takes it out to the barn, where she proceeds to slaughter a cat; the footage is shaky and not much is visible, but it's still a gruesome scene. There's lots of scary imagery, ranging from violent drawing, to Nell suddenly rushing at the camera. In another scene, she twists her neck and back in unholy directions. She also breaks her own fingers while possessed. Some characters are beaten to death -- the footage isn't entirely clear, but it's very suggestive. The subject of rape is addressed.
Language
"Jesus Christ" is used as an exclamation. Other language includes "damn."
Social
Behavior
Despite its subject matter, this isn't a very spiritual film -- but it does find some good things about human beings. A cynical minister who has lost his faith agrees to let a documentary crew film a fake exorcism to prove that demon possession doesn't really exist -- but when his ceremony fails to help the victim, he does stick around to continue to try to help her.
Consumerism
Not applicable
Drugs / Tobacco /
Alcohol
Nell's father is said to be a drunk, though viewers never see any evidence of this.
