Olivia O’Neill

We’re very happy to be speaking today with acclaimed actress Olivia O’Neill; greetings and salutations, Olivia! Before we dive down the proverbial haunted Q&A pathway, how has the freshly minted autumn of 2023 been treating you?

Ahhh it’s been so great, I love the transition of seasons. Nothing can be the combo of a pumpkin spice latte and some uggs.

Major accolades and congratulations on your lead turn in the very anticipated motion picture The Exorcist: Believer! For anyone living under a rock that may have missed the promotions on this follow-up to William Friedkin’s original masterpiece, can you tell folks what The Exorcist: Believer is about and how your character of Katherine figures into the proceedings?

Thank you! I am so grateful that I was trusted to be in such an amazing film. The movie is a story about two families, coming from very different backgrounds and beliefs. After my character, Katherine, and her friend, Angela are found after being missing for three days, you quickly realize that something is really wrong with these girls. You really get a good look at how different people from different cultures/religious backgrounds deal with a crisis. Ultimately they are forced to work together for the common good of their children to overcome the situation at hand.

Did you know as soon as you saw the script for The Exorcist: Believer that this was a production you wanted to be a part of?

Before even knowing “The Exorcist” name was attached, I fell in love with the story. I actually watched the 1973 movie after my first audition, as Katherine reminded me a lot of Regan. I was so inspired by Linda Blair’s performance and was determined to do whatever I had to do to get to be a part of this. How full circle this has come!

How aware were you of the original The Exorcist when you were offered the role of Katherine in the new film?

I had first watched the 1973 film when I was probably 11 or 12 at a sleepover. I was way too psyched out to ever finish it though. Although, once I came on board the project, the film really didn’t scare me anymore. I merely saw it from an analytical point of view and was just not in the mindset to be scared.

The director of The Exorcist: Believer is David Gordon Green. What was your collaboration process like with David? Is he what some actors might call “an actor’s director”.

Working with David Gordon Green was like hitting the jackpot. He is such a supportive, collaborative director and he really allowed Katherine to be an open discussion between the two of us. He is the coolest.

You work with such a talented cast in The Exorcist: Believer. What was it like exercising your own considerable acting chops alongside the likes of Leslie Odom Jr?

Before I worked on this movie, I grew up in theater. To get to work alongside so many theater veterans was such a pinch-me moment.

Word ‘round industry campfire has it that you’re a tremendous champion of improving mental health in America. Why is this cause important to you?

Mental health issues have become such an epidemic and I think it’s such an important topic. I think that we need to fight for better recognition and treatment for those struggling. And that needs to start with us, individually.

What differentiates The Exorcist: Believer from the Distinguished Competition on the 2023 movie scene?

I think that there was a lot of hard work put into this film to make it emotionally complex and not just your run-ofthe-mill scary movie. Not only does The Exorcist: Believer keep you on your toes, but it also keeps you thinking and asking yourself questions even after leaving the theater.

At the end of the day what do you hope moviegoers walk away with after watching The Exorcist: Believer?

Ooo, I think there are so many great takeaways from this film but I think my favorite is the idea of community. In today’s world, all the times of crisis have called for communities to come together. As in The Exorcist Believer, one monumental issue takes a community coming together. It takes people putting aside their differences for the greater good of others. At the end of the day, we are all just people trying to do the best we can with what we’re given. This movie has such an emotional outlook on the need for community.

What do you have coming up after The Exorcist: Believer?

Ah, I’d love to venture into a different genre! A challenge is always what I’m looking for, I never like to get too comfortable