Topic: The Exorcist

The discussion focuses on hidden occult symbols in modern media, such as the appearance of "666" and the name "Baal" in Leave the World Behind. Dyer explains that these images are intended for the subconscious mind, a technique rooted in advertising and psychological warfare. He reveals that William Peter Blatty, the author of The Exorcist, had a background in CIA psychological warfare, suggesting the film itself was a government-influenced project.

The casting of Max von Sydow in Star Wars: The Force Awakens is analyzed as a reference to his roles in The Exorcist and Dune. By placing von Sydow in a desert setting where he is struck down by a dark lord, the filmmakers subconsciously link Kylo Ren to the demon Pazuzu and the savagery of the Harkonnens. This "adroit" casting serves to invest new characters with established occult or villainous traits.

The conversation shifts to the role of fear in the human experience. Kimball argues that fear is not inherently evil, citing horror filmmakers like Roger Corman and Peter Blatty. He shares an anecdote from a Cirque du Soleil show in Las Vegas where a performer's jump scare made a friend feel "alive," suggesting that the paranormal uses fear to push humans beyond their mundane "baseline" existence.