However, there's an even more bone-chilling quote from The Exorcist, arguably the scariest horror movie ever made, that still provides nightmare fuel over 50 years later. A landmark achievement by director William Friedkin, The Exorcist became the highest-grossing movie of 1973 and the first horror movie to be nominated for Best Picture at the Academy Awards. Regan's Petrifying Quote in 'The Exorcist' Still Holds Up Over 50 Years LaterWarner Bros. The Exorcist is a prime example, with heartfelt pathos felt for Father Karras, Chris, and Regan as the film progresses. Since Pazuzu taunts Karras about his mother's death and stokes his guilt throughout the classic horror movie, Karras realizes that Pazuzu is more dangerous psychologically than he is physically.