The Exorcist Ending Explained: Beat the Devil

During excavations in Iraq, Father Merrin inspects some items that have been unearthed, including a small round medallion of St. Joseph - an interesting find given that it was buried at a pre-Christian site . The mystery of its provenance is never explained, but its discovery with Pazuzu's head sets the theme of an age-old battle between good and evil.

As a symbol of good, the medal appears as an important motif throughout the film. When Karras has a dream sequence, it is seen falling through the air, symbolizing his loss of faith and fatal fall foreshadowing the end of the film. He later appears in the exorcism scene as he struggles with Regan, who rips him from his neck and removes the protection he provides before Pazuzu enters his body. It is unclear if this is the same medallion from Iraq, perhaps Merrin gave him at some point, or a similar one. However, like the Pazuzu statue that appears briefly in the exorcism scene, its incongruous presence establishes the idea that good and evil know no boundaries.

The medallion makes its final appearance at the end of the film, with a different angle depending on which cut you're looking at. As he leaves, Chris gives it to Father Dyer as a remembrance of his deceased friend. In the theatrical cut, he accepts it and watches them go. In the latest Extended Director's Cut, he returns it to her, saying, "I think you should keep it." Chris doesn't protest; while she is agnostic for most of the film, this indicates that she at least accepted the possibility of God by the end. It also has another connotation. Regan may be safe now, but does Dyer think she'll need his protection in the future?