The Real Story Behind Deliver Us From Evil Is Horrifying

by

As a seasoned gamer and movie enthusiast with a soft spot for horror films, I can’t help but be intrigued by the tale of “Deliver Us from Evil.” Having watched my fair share of demon-possession movies, I must admit that this one managed to catch my attention, not just because it was directed by Scott Derrickson, who has a knack for crafting chilling narratives, but also due to its claimed roots in reality.

Approximately ten years ago, director Scott Derrickson sent shivers down spines with his 2014 horror film “Deliver Us from Evil.” Coming off the success of “The Exorcism of Emily Rose” and launching the frightening “Sinister” series in 2012, Derrickson continued to explore themes of demonic possession. He took this theme for another story that draws inspiration from real-life events. The film was titled “Beware the Night,” based on a memoir written by former NYPD Sergeant Ralph Sarchie. This movie was a hit at the box office, earning nearly $90 million against a budget of just $30 million. While not as acclaimed as some of Derrickson’s previous horror productions, its reputation as a true story drew viewers in.

As a gamer, I must confess that my expectations weren’t met when I watched “Deliver Us from Evil.” Despite the hype that it was based on a true story, the film failed to bring anything fresh or compelling to the table in terms of demon possession narratives. Eric Bana was brilliantly cast, but the movie didn’t seem to offer anything new under the sun.

What is Deliver Us From Evil about?

As a devoted admirer, let me point out that the movie “Deliver Us from Evil” draws inspiration from the actual paranormal encounters experienced by Ralph Sarchie. The director, Scott Derrickson, made this clear when he shared that he used—with Sarchie’s approval—the most intriguing incidents from the sergeant’s personal case files to create a cohesive narrative. He explained, “It reflects the real Ralph Sarchie, his thoughts, speech, actions, and personal transformation due to these experiences.” However, it is essential to understand that while the portrayal of Ralph Sarchie is based on reality, the main storyline is fictional, a necessity for the movie’s structure. (2014 interview with Complex)

In the movie titled “Deliver Us from Evil,” we follow Sergeant Ralph Sarchie (played by Bana), a police officer working at the 46th Precinct, along with his partner Butler (portrayed by Joel McHale). They investigate a string of incidents that initially appear unrelated – a mentally disturbed mother, a violent former Marine, and a deceased painter. However, it’s revealed that these events are all linked to a former Marine squad that encountered something sinister during their time in Iraq. When a Spanish priest named Father Mendoza (played by Édgar Ramírez) is called in to assist, Sarchie is initially hesitant, but eventually accepts his help as they confront the possessed character Mick Santino (portrayed by Sean Harris).

At the conclusion of “Deliver Us from Evil,” a demon abducts Sarchie’s family, compelling the NYPD sergeant to aid a priest in an exorcism to locate them. This ordeal leaves him transformed for good. The final credits indicate that after these occurrences, Ralph Sarchie chose to abandon his position within the NYPD and instead devote himself to collaborating with Father Mendoza, mirroring the true nature of Sarchie’s journey.

The real story that inspired Deliver Us From Evil is incredibly dark

Regardless of whether “Deliver Us from Evil” is a tale or truth, Ralph Sarchie’s accounts in “Beware the Night” are chilling because he asserts they were his own experiences. In his book, Sarchie details how his transformation into a “religious demonologist” was not instantaneous but took a substantial period. As a police officer, he was taught to be wary of everything; however, incidents on his beat that couldn’t be rationalized left him baffled. It wasn’t until numerous cases that seemed malevolently spiritual that Sarchie began acknowledging the supernatural phenomena around him.

As a gamer, one of my most memorable encounters was the “Halloween Horror” case where I teamed up with Dominick and Gabby Villanova to battle an evil presence haunting their home. At first, it seemed like a harmless ghost, but Sarchie clarified that it was actually a demon in disguise, targeting their daughter, Luciana, with malicious intentions. When Gabby herself got possessed, we had no choice but to perform an exorcism to drive out the spirit. Another time, I faced off against a young woman who had been possessed and started speaking unknown languages, showing supernatural strength, and knowing things about people that were inexplicable. It took several exorcisms for us to help her.

Besides demons, Sarchie has also delved into investigating cursed items and dwellings with haunted pasts, which explains why he collaborated extensively with Ed and Lorraine Warren, the pair famously depicted in the “Conjuring” movie series. As Sarchi states in the 2014 documentary titled “Sarchie,” one doesn’t have to believe in God or the Devil, but choosing a side is essential for this ongoing struggle against evil.

Read More

2024-10-30 15:00