From Business Insider · Gabbi Shaw · · 2m
Horror Movies Based on True Stories
True stories behind iconic horror films like The Exorcist and The Conjuring franchise.
In brief
True stories behind iconic horror films like The Exorcist and The Conjuring franchise. Horror movies such as The Exorcist and The Conjuring franchise draw from real-life paranormal events and tragedies. Originally reported by Business Insider.
The Exorcist
The Exorcist is based on the story of 14-year-old Roland Doe who exhibited strange behavior in 1949.
“At midnight, the Fathers planned to give (Roland) Holy Communion, but Satan would have no part of it. Even while the institution of the Blessed Sacrament was explained, his body was badly scratched and branded. The word 'HELLO' was printed on his chest and thigh.”
The Conjuring Franchise
The Conjuring franchise is based on real paranormal investigators Lorraine and Ed Warren's case files.
“The films have made almost $3 billion at the box office.”
The Perron Family Haunting
The Perron family moved into the Old Arnold Estate in 1971 and reported paranormal activity.
“The family reported furniture moving, doors opening and closing, disembodied sounds, and being pushed, pulled, and hurt by unseen spirits.”
Bathsheba Sherman
Bathsheba Sherman, a suspected Satanist from the 1800s, was charged with murdering her first child.
“Though historians say she was never convicted of a crime or accused of witchcraft.”
The Hodgson Family Haunting
The Hodgson family reported paranormal activity in their London home in August 1977.
“Janet claimed she was being possessed by a man named Bill Wilkins who died of a brain hemorrhage.”
The Enfield Poltergeist
Janet Hodgson claimed she was possessed by a man named Bill Wilkins in the Enfield Poltergeist case.
“She later said that around 2% of the haunting was made up, but the Enfield Poltergeist was real.”
Arne Cheyenne Johnson Case
Arne Johnson murdered his landlord after being possessed by a demon in 1981.
“Johnson claimed a demon was exorcised from 11-year-old David Glatzel and moved to him.”
The Smurl Haunting
The Smurl family experienced a demonic attack in West Pittson, Pennsylvania in 1986.
“The ghost, devil, or demon was in that home, according to Ed Warren.”
Annabelle Doll Haunting
Annabelle, a doll believed to be imbued with an evil spirit, terrorized its owner in 1970.
“The doll changed positions by itself and left creepy notes like 'Help me' and blood leaks.”
Amityville Horror
Ronald DeFeo Jr. murdered his family in Amityville, New York on November 13, 1974.
“He was later convicted and sentenced to 25 years to life in prison.”
The Haunting in Connecticut
The Snedeker family moved into a former funeral home in the 1980s and experienced paranormal activity.
“Phillip became withdrawn and angry and started seeing a ghostly man who told him to lash out.”
Veronica
Estefania Gutierrez died in 1992 after experiencing seizures and claiming to see shadowy figures.
“She died in the hospital after experiencing seizures and claiming to see shadowy figures.”
The Strangers
The Strangers is inspired by a real childhood experience of director Bryan Bertino.
“As a kid, he lived in a house on a street in the middle of nowhere where strangers knocked on doors and broke in.”
The Texas Chain Saw Massacre
Leatherface was based on real-life killer Ed Gein who committed murders in the 1900s.
“Gein was obsessed with his mother and took to robbing graves of recently buried women.”
Poltergeist
Poltergeist is based on the Hermann family of Long Island, New York who claimed to be haunted.
“The Hermann family claimed to be haunted by a poltergeist that made objects fly through their home.”
When a Stranger Calls
Janett Christman was murdered in 1950 after babysitting 3-year-old Greg Romack.
“Christman called the Columbia Police Department and told them to 'come quick' but hung up before they could trace her call.”
The takeaway
Horror movies such as The Exorcist and The Conjuring franchise draw from real-life paranormal events and tragedies.