Dominion: Prequel to the Exorcist

Released officially in 2005 Dominion had something of a rocky road to theaters. Originally Paul Schrader was set to direct the film after its previous director died but was then replaced by Renny Harlan whom the studio thought would make a more commercially successful film. However Harlan's version of the film, called, Exorcist, the Beginning, bombed both commercially and critically so the studio rehired Schrader to finish his version of the film.

The film follows Father Merrin as he travels to Eastern Africa on Sabbatical from the church to pursue his interest in archaeology. Merrin is haunted by what he witnessed under the control of the SS death squads during his past which leads to the death of his faith. However, once he arrives to excavate an ancient 5th century church strange things begin happening which lead to the deaths of numerous works.

Merrin suspects that devilry might be at work but cannot bring himself to except the mantle of faith once more and so he is plunged into darkness, one that is as external and internal.