How The Exorcist Was Based on a Real-Life Possession Case (Yes, Really)

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For over half a century now, the groundbreaking 1973 film “The Exorcist” (currently airing on SYFY) consistently lands on the top lists of the most terrifying horror films ever created by movie critics.

The movie, titled “The Exorcist,” was directed by the late William Friedkin and based on the novel of the same name by William Peter Blatty. It shook audiences when it first came out due to its chilling portrayal of a battle between religious belief and the darkest manifestations of evil. This film also sparked a series of books and movies, with the upcoming installment from director Mike Flanagan scheduled for release in 2026.

However, while The Exorcist remains a standout in fans’ memories for its chilling supernatural twists (a pun intended!), it’s interesting to note that the film and novel were inspired by real-life events, using these incidents to craft their intensely dramatized stories of possession and exorcism.

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An unexplained real-life possession case inspired the events of The Exorcist

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At a 2012 Q&A session looking back, director William Friedkin disclosed some true-life stories inspiring his movie version, admitting that he personally found the mysterious core driving the exorcism storyline deeply compelling.

In his retelling, director Friedkin emphasized that the harrowing events portrayed in the movie were based on a true story from 1949, where a 13-year-old child (represented by Linda Blair) was said to be possessed. This tale profoundly affected a real family, as they personally experienced and endured the extraordinary terrors it described.

According to Friedkin, as reported by Entertainment Weekly, the family was Lutheran, and they experienced all the steps depicted in the movie: They consulted doctors, visited clinics, and eventually returned to their own Lutheran pastor, who suggested they speak with a priest.

During the making and marketing of the movie, Friedkin discovered unexpected support from certain circles within the Catholic faith. He believed this was due to his view that the exorcism ritual, traditionally seen as an esoteric yet firmly established church practice, played a significant role in the film’s production.

In a statement, Friedkin shared that his film was highly praised by the Cardinal in New York from the pulpit. He also mentioned that Father Pedro Arrupe, who headed the Jesuit order at the time and was based in Milan, had a personal copy of the movie and often screened it for his fellow priests, bishops, and cardinals.

Eventually, Friedkin contemplated his groundbreaking horror movie as a study of the enigmatic, offering an artistic interpretation of the unknown phenomena that science, for now, lacks a concrete method to investigate.

He stated that he participated in making this movie due to his conviction in its narrative, emphasizing that the creator of the film was a person who genuinely believed in it. Although others might categorize it as a popular horror film, for him, it represents the enigma surrounding faith and belief.

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2025-04-11 21:31