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My Best Friend's Exorcism

My Best Friend's Exorcism

Book · Horror books · 63 mentions · 2 subreddits · discussed in r/horrorlit, r/BookRecommendations

Reddit take

AI summary of the Reddit excerpts below — not a quote

My Best Friend's Exorcism is a highly-regarded horror novel praised for its blend of 1980s nostalgia and a deeply emotional exploration of female friendship. While it contains intense supernatural elements, it is frequently described as a campy, tongue-in-cheek adventure that prioritizes character dynamics and 'comfy' vibes over pure, unrelenting terror.

Pros

  • Strong focus on complex and relatable female friendships
  • Evocative 1980s setting and 'Stranger Things' atmosphere
  • Well-structured pacing with a satisfying and emotional ending
  • Successfully balances humor and camp with genuine emotional weight

Cons

  • May not be scary enough for readers seeking traditional 'straight' horror
  • Some readers found the narrative flat or forgettable
  • Grady Hendrix's specific writing style can be polarizing

Caveats

  • The book is often described as 'tongue-in-cheek' horror rather than a traditional scare-fest
  • Readers generally either love or hate the author's specific approach to the genre
  • The adaptation is viewed significantly less favorably than the original book

Best for

  • Fans of 80s nostalgia and supernatural adventure
  • Readers who enjoy character-driven stories about friendship
  • Those looking for 'comfy' or campy horror that still has emotional depth

Avoid if

  • You are looking for a terrifying, high-scare horror novel without humor
  • You dislike 'tongue-in-cheek' or campy storytelling
  • You prefer plot-driven horror over character-centric narratives

This summary uses balanced time weighting with about a 122-month half-life. The evidence comes from a consistent pool of discussions in r/horrorlit with a median age of approximately 564 days.

Sentiment

56 positive (89%) · 2 mixed (3%) · 5 negative (8%)

Trust + time weighted score: +76% · raw score 81%

What redditors said (10 of 63)

it was a neat concept but the execution was lacking and I kept finding myself reading just to read and not really enjoying much.
negative · u/o****a · r/horrorlit · Aug 12, 2026 · open on Reddit ↗
I loved My Best Friend’s Exorcism too, especially the more intense stuff that happens later on.
positive · u/b****x · r/horrorlit · Jan 22, 2025 · open on Reddit ↗
A few other page turner horror novels with lots going on that I've enjoyed: My Best Friend's Exorcism by Grady Hendrix
positive · u/M****5 · r/horrorlit · comment · Nov 11, 2025 · open on Reddit ↗
Then I read My Best Friend's Exorcism and loved it, and have read most of his other books since and enjoyed them.
positive · u/T****y · r/horrorlit · comment · Jun 10, 2026 · open on Reddit ↗
You also might like My Best Friend's Exorcism. It has the Stranger Things 80s vibes and leans a bit more supernatural adventure mystery than straight horror. Big campy undercurrent.
positive · u/I****e · r/horrorlit · comment · Jul 23, 2025 · open on Reddit ↗
My Best Friend's Exorcism was a bit flat and forgettable
negative · u/I****e · r/horrorlit · comment · Jul 6, 2025 · open on Reddit ↗
My Best Friend's Exorcism was such a fun book!
positive · u/D****t · r/horrorlit · comment · Aug 3, 2025 · open on Reddit ↗
Horrorstör was kinda entertaining but I really disliked My Best Friend's Excorism.
negative · u/t****g · r/horrorlit · comment · Jul 13, 2026 · open on Reddit ↗
Grady Hendrix My Best Friend's Exorcism too
positive · u/M****n · r/horrorlit · comment · Jan 4, 2025 · open on Reddit ↗
I think My Best Friend's Exorcism would be perfect
positive · u/I****9 · r/horrorlit · comment · Sep 2, 2026 · open on Reddit ↗

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