Based on the novel by Grady Hendrix,My Best Friend’s Exorcismpremiered on Prime Video on Friday September 30th 2022, and since the story is set in 1988, it’s a fun, nostalgic trip. Elsie Fisher and Amiah Miller give great performances as Abby Rivers and Gretchen Lang, close friends who are shocked when a demon possesses Gretchen after a weekend at a friend’s lake house.
The film is as funny as it is sweet and there are many quotes that are memorable, from Abby talking to a religious boy band member about Gretchen’s situation to the way that Abby and Gretchen always say goodbye.
RELATED:Friendship Is Hell In The First Trailer For My Best Friend’s Exorcism
Abby And Gretchen Are Super Close
“LYLAS.”
TheGrady Hendrix film adaptationworks so well because the relationship between Abby and Gretchen is clear from the start. Gretchen’s parents are religious and she doesn’t feel like she fits in, and since neither does Abby, the two rely on each other. They often say “Love you like a sister” and at the beginning of the film, they say the abbreviated version, “LYLAS.”
This quote gets to the heart of how much the girls care about each other and how they look out for one another. Things are even more tense as Gretchen is about to move away, but Gretchen’s demonic possession changes things even before that happens. Like the mostmemorable teen horror movie quotes, “LYLAS” becomes sad and weighty when Gretchen starts acting like a jerk.
Abby Gets Mad At Her Mom
“Her mother’s hamburgers don’t need any help!”
Abby’s mom Mrs. Rivers (Rachel Leah Cohen) doesn’t understand the friendship that the girls share, and in one hilarious scene, Abby stares at her mom who is holding a box of Hamburger Helper and says this line. Abby is serious and thoughtful and doesn’t mean to crack jokes, but her quotes often serve a comedic purpose.
Abby’s quote shows how Abby doesn’t feel like she fits in with her family and how much she loves spending time at Gretchen’s house. This is why it’s so devastating when Gretchen is taken over by a demon and changes who she is. Even thoughMy Best Friend’s Exorcismis from 2022, the 1988 setting makes it feel like atimeless ’80s horror movieand the Hamburger Helper reference is perfect.
Abby’s Dad Doesn’t Like Gretchen
“Just think you could stand to think for yourself a little more where Gretchen’s concerned.”
When Abby’s dad Mr. Rivers (John Stoneburger) tells Abby that she should be more confident and think for herself instead of always following Gretchen’s lead, it’s a really profound statement. Although watching her best friend be possessed by something evil is a terrible experience, it also teaches Abby some lessons about being her own person, just like her dad said.
Theadaptation of Grady Hendrix’s novelgets the characters right, including Christian Lemon (Christopher Lowell). While Abby and Gretchen’s parents are only seen briefly, they prove that they Abby and Gretchen are lost and trying to figure things out given the fact that their moms and dads don’t understand them.
Christian And Abby Try To Exorcise The Demon
“The power of Tiffany and the power of our photo booth pictures from Walt’s and Sons Drugstore compels you.”
One of the funniest parts ofMy Best Friend’s Exorcismis the Christian boy band made up of three brothers. Christian Lemon is the most hilarious and stands out the most as when the band performs at Gretchen and Abby’s high school, he sees something strange happening with Gretchen and can tell that an evil demon is here.
When Christian tells Abby that he can exorcise the demon, they head to the lake house to perform the ritual. The scene is played for laughs as Christian has no idea what he’s doing, but theteen horror comedy becomes movingwhen Abby appeals to the fun that she and Gretchen have had. Bringing up their favorite pop singer and meaningful pictures is ultimately what helps Gretchen come back.
Christian Tells Abby What Happened
“Dollars to donuts, that’s demonic possession.”
When Abby sees Christian at the mall, which is one of the most compelling scenes from the film, he admits that he knows what’s going on.My Best Friend’s Exorcismis one of thefunniest horror moviesthanks in large part to Christian. He loves being part of his group and cares a lot about his faith, but he can’t stop himself from cracking jokes and speaking in slang constantly.
Christian’s “dollars to donuts, it’s demon possession” quote is one of the best from the entire movie. Abby definitely isn’t expecting him to be so funny but focuses on the task at hand since all she cares about is helping Gretchen. The mostunderrated teen horror movieshave strong friendship elements and seeing these characters grow apart and come back together is really sweet.
