10 Everyday Objects Horror Movies RUINED For You

Of course, few horror films go harder on any single object than The Exorcist. William Friedkin adapted William Peter Blatty’s novel for the big screen in detail, not skimping on the story of Catholic exorcist Lankester Merrin (Max von Sydow), faithless priest Damien Karras (Jason Miller) and actress Chris MacNeil (Ellen Burstyn) who face the demon Pazuzu when it possesses the body of Chris’ daughter Regan (Linda Blair).

Regan gets up to some pretty awful stuff while inhabited by the demon, but there is one moment that still shocks first-time viewers to this day. Having a young girl of 12 self-harm would have been unpleasant enough, but what better object to use than the crucifix? The icon of Jesus on the cross is sacred to many Christians, especially Catholics, and the long end of the cross makes for a blunt, impractical weapon.

All of these elements congeal in our mind as we watch the possessed demon form of Regan stab at the little girl’s crotch, screaming “Let Jesus f*** you!”, desecrating the cross, harming the girl, and sending upstanding audiences into states of shock, revulsion and disbelief. Rarely do the themes of a horror film cleave so tight to a single moment – but at what cost?

Any horror fan whose nan has a crucifix on the wall can’t help but think of this over tea and biscuits…