Amazon Prime viewers urged to binge 'best show on TV' this weekend

Amazon Prime Video subscribers are racing against time to devour what enthusiasts have dubbed "one of the best horror shows on television".

The Exorcist, a familiar tale to those who relish in frights, was reborn as a television series in 2016.

Drawing inspiration from William Peter Blatty's 1971 novel, the series was billed as "a modern reinvention" of the "propulsive, serialized, psychological thriller".

Set within the universe of the iconic 1973 movie, it weaves a sequel narrative that nods to elements of the original story.

Starring Alfonso Herrera, Ben Daniels, Kurt Egyiawan, Hannah Kasulka, Geena Davis, and Alan Ruck, The Exorcist delves into the terror of a family under siege by supernatural forces.

The plot thickens as a mother, plagued by nightmarish visions and her husband's mental unravelling, seeks help for the eerie disturbances threatening her daughters, leading to an alliance with church leaders and a battle against malevolent entities.

A Reddit user extolled the virtues of the show, stating: "Both seasons are worth watching, especially since they're only 10 episodes each. I found the first season to be great and the second season to be even better. It was one of the best shows on television if you ask me. The quality of it in every aspect blew me away to be honest, I was so disappointed when I found out it was cancelled."

Another commented: "Bro, I couldn't believe when it was cancelled. This show caught me TOTALLY by surprise. I figured it'd be dumb AF and cheesy but NOPE. The acting is unbelievable, the music sublime, and the storyline was deftly crafted. It wasn't just good...it was REALLY good."

"I watched both seasons and thought the cast was great and it was very well written. I loved it. I just wish it hadn't been on Fox so we would have got more seasons. It was definitely one of the best shows you're not watching. Fairly original take," a third chimed in with high praise.

On the Rotten Tomatoes platform, the show's first season achieved an impressive 79% rating, complemented by a nearly flawless 91% audience approval score.

Yet the second series managed to outdo its predecessor with a pristine 100% Rotten Tomatoes rating, alongside a formidable 90% from viewers.

"The best horror series I ever watched. I truly loved the series and can't stop watching," lauded a fan.

"Gripping, sucked me in straight away. Three episodes in I stopped and decided to wait till the weekend so I could binge," opined another viewer.

Though The Exorcist faced cancellation due to lacklustre ratings, creator Jeremy Slater had previously hinted at exciting future prospects.

Speaking to TV Line, he teased: "There may even be a potential for telling stories that are happening on branching timelines and flashbacks and different things like that."

The Exorcist is available to watch on Amazon Prime Video.