The Last Exorcism: Part 2 parents guide

The Last Exorcism: Part 2 Parent Guide

Parents who don't want their children haunted by this troubled teen should cast around for a more family-friendly option.

Overall D+

We knew the promise of the title was too good to be true -- and sure enough. Here is another exorcism movie, and it even follows the same tormented girl (Ashley Bell) facing the return of the same demon.

Release date February 28, 2013

Violence C-
Sexual Content C+
Profanity C-
Substance Use C

Why is The Last Exorcism: Part 2 rated PG-13? The MPAA rated The Last Exorcism: Part 2 PG-13 for horror violence, terror and brief language.

Run Time: 89 minutes

Official Movie Site

Parent Movie Review

Was it too much to hope that “last” as in The Last Exorcism was an accurate adjective? Apparently so since The Last Exorcism Part 2 hits theaters with the hint of an entire franchise to follow. Admittedly leaving Nell Sweetzer and her demonic possessor alone is difficult when the first movie grossed $67,738,090 worldwide on a production budget of $1.8 million.

Thankfully this sequel puts a tourniquet on the bloodletting seen in the previous film, lessening some of the gruesome depictions. It also loses the found footage premise and the handheld camera. Without the nauseating jiggle, Director Ed Gass-Donnelly creates plenty of tension and a sense of foreboding in the early part of the movie, skillfully employing horror movie staples and leaving audiences to wonder if Nell (Ashley Bell) is possessed by demons or her own wild imaginings. Unfortunately these improved production techniques don’t last.

Despite her gory history involving knives, and the fact she is found ransacking the home of random strangers, Nell avoids institutionalization. Instead she is sent to a home for troubled girls run by the grizzled Frank Merle (Muse Watson). The mousy newcomer casts an uneasy pall over her roommates that believe she has escaped from a cult in the woods. And who is to blame them. Nell waffles between painfully shy and naively childlike in her interactions—at least until the satanic spirit who wants to have her arrives on the scene.

At this point what could have been a bearable horror flick devolves into a cheap thriller with the number and frequency of made-you-jump tactics adding up as quickly as the death toll and stereotypical depictions. Once again the knives come out, the blood splatters and everyone wanders around in darkened rooms.

For teens intrigued by the occult, The Last Exorcism Part 2‘s portrayal of black art rituals and demonic beings may be tantalizing. But be warned, the characters in this movie are driven to commit suicide and murder as a result of their involvement with these activities. Equally as troubling may be the movie’s sexual overtones with sounds of sexual activity, a teen girl’s fascination with sex and the portrayal of an obsessive lover who severely restricts Nell’s involvement with other people.

Given the success of the first film (and some viewers bewildering attraction to scary movies), no one will be surprised if The Last Exorcism: Part 2 follows in the footsteps of its prequel and rakes in the money at the box office. But parents, who don’t want their children haunted by this troubled teen, should cast around for a more family friendly option.

Directed by Ed Gass-Donnelly. Starring Ashley Bell, Spencer Treat Clark, Andrew Sensenig, Judd Lormand. Running time: 89 minutes. Theatrical release February 28, 2013. Updated

The Last Exorcism: Part 2
Rating & Content Info

Why is The Last Exorcism: Part 2 rated PG-13? The Last Exorcism: Part 2 is rated PG-13 by the MPAA for horror violence, terror and brief language.

Violence: A couple wakes to find a crazed intruder in their home. A stranger crawls into bed with a man. A man threatens to kill his daughter with a gun, and then is hit over the head with a heavy object. Characters convulse and spew foam from their mouths. A boy slits his neck with a kitchen knife (blood is shown on him as well as the hands of another character). A religious leader threatens a girl. During a black art ritual knives fly through the air. Flashbacks show gory and bloody scenes of a baby delivery and killings. Characters attempt to kill another person with an overdose of a prescription medicine. A man is thrown from a second story window. A character sets fire to a house, cars, trees and other buildings.

Sexual Content: A character strokes her own face in a sexual manner. A character licks others. Sounds of sexual activity are heard in another room. A sleeping teen emits sexual moans. A teen couple kisses. Characters talk about seduction. A girl talks about her pregnancy. There is a suggestion of rape from the first film.

Language: The script contains several swear words, uses of terms of Deity, some crude language and a strong sexual expletive.

Alcohol / Drug Use: A character is given an overdose of a prescription drug.

Page last updated

The Last Exorcism: Part 2 Parents' Guide

Collecting beads during Mardi Gras has become a popular activity. Learn more about the history of this ritual.

According to legend, the demonic character in this story can’t take Nell—she must give herself to him. What does this say about personal choice? How can a person make decisions that will take them to a better future?

How does the depiction of religious leaders, Southern culture and practitioners of the black arts in this movie promote the stereotypes we see of these characters?

Home Video

The most recent home video release of The Last Exorcism: Part 2 movie is June 18, 2013. Here are some details…

Home Video Notes: The Last Exorcism: Part 2

Release Date: 18 June 2013>/b>

The Last Exorcism: Part 2 releases to home video with the following extras:

- Shooting in New Orleans

- Hair Salon Scare - The Last Exorcism Part II goes Viral

- Audio Commentary with Ed Gass-Donnelly and Eli Roth

- Nell’s Story

Related home video titles:

This movie is the sequel to The Last Exorcism.