With The X-Files revival slowly approaching, what better time than to reacquaint yourself with Fox Mulder (David Duchovny) and Dana Scully (Gillian Anderson), and the franchise in general. Instead of delving into the 201 episodes of the series, why not rekindle that 90s paranormal flame with films that revolve around the subject matter, are referenced in the show or inspired the show in general. Here are ten films to prepare yourself for the 2016 X-Files revival.
10. The Exorcist (1973)
As mentioned in the episode ‘Miracle Man’, The Exorcist is one of Scully’s favourite movies. Which is no surprise, as it focuses on Scully’s religious faith of Catholicism.
The Exorcist – directed by William Friedkin – is adapted from the 1971 novel of the same name, which in turn is inspired by the 1949 exorcism of Roland Doe. Both the novel and the film focus on a 12-year-old girl who becomes possessed by a demon, in which her Mother attempts to bring her daughter back through two priests conducting an exorcism upon her.
The film can also be seen as a major inspiration for the episode ‘The Calusari’, in which the focus is again on a demon child and involves exorcism and ritual sequences.
You know, your typical X-Files subject matter.