Beautifully Shot, Scored, and had mucho atmosphere!

I think it looks ugly and has terrible acting. I can appreciate the time it came out but there were already better horror movies at the time. It's just a crap movie overall, I don't hate it but it's nothing special.

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The Investigator subplot led to absolutely nothing and was pointless!

It led to the discovery of the "red room" and the corresponding gateway to the Underworld, which implies why a demonic spirit was dwelling in the house in the first place.

Steiger got way too much screentime

I liked the way the film focused on developing the characters in a realistic drama augmented by creepy paranormal touches, including the time spent on the Catholic ministers. Steiger's character obviously sensed & experienced a diabolic presence in the house. It transformed him from a "rationalist" (as he was described by his superior) to a true believer in the supernatural and he reacted accordingly. You call it hammy, I say it smacked of how someone like him would respond if it happened in real life.

Brolin was hilarious and not in a good way

He wasn't funny in the least; he behaved like someone increasingly troubled by a sinister influence, which puzzled his wife and she didn't know what to do to stop the downward spiral.

The nun puking as if a bowling ball came out was hilarious.

The puking of both Steiger's priest and, later, the nun were shot so that the viewer didn't actually see the puke proceeding from their mouths (thankfully). I didn't get the sense that a bowling ball was coming out. Both scenes were to depict the natural reaction of the holy -- those consecrated unto God -- after encountering the unholy.

Sooo much potential was wasted.

Actually it was a runaway hit in 1979, inspiring a gazillion sequels, remakes and documentaries.

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