The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It (2021) marks the third main installment in the Conjuring Universe, once again following the paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren, played by Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga. Unlike its predecessors, this film branches out from haunted houses to explore a real-life court case where demonic possession was used as a legal defense for murder—the first time in U.S. history.
Detailed Summary
The Exorcism of David Glatzel
The movie opens with the intense exorcism of 8-year-old David Glatzel in 1981, during which Ed and Lorraine Warren witness disturbing supernatural activity. As the ritual intensifies, Ed suffers a heart attack while witnessing something unprecedented: the demon seemingly leaves David’s body and enters Arne Johnson, the boyfriend of David’s sister Debbie.
This exorcism forms the heart of the Warrens’ investigation and introduces the central supernatural threat.
The Murder of Bruno Sauls
Now seemingly free of David’s possession, Arne Johnson begins to exhibit erratic behavior. Eventually, in a deeply unsettling sequence, he murders his landlord, Bruno Sauls, in what appears to be a trance-like state. He claims to have no memory of the killing.
Arne is arrested, and the Warrens attempt to convince the court that he was possessed by a demonic entity at the time. This kicks off the real-life legal case that inspired the film.
The Curse and Occultist Revelation
Unlike previous Conjuring movies that focus solely on spirits or demons, this film introduces an Occultist, a woman named Isla, who is responsible for planting a satanic curse tied to an altar. The curse was placed under the Glatzels’ home and is what invited the demonic entity.
Lorraine uses her clairvoyant powers to connect the dots, discovering that similar murders and suicides occurred elsewhere—each linked by cursed totems. The Warrens’ investigation leads them to a former priest, Father Kastner, who explains that Isla is his estranged daughter and is now a practitioner of the occult. This introduces an entirely new kind of human evil to the Conjuring Universe: intentional summoning of demons by a living cultist.
Ed’s Struggles and Lorraine’s Visions
As the Warrens close in on Isla, Ed suffers worsening health problems due to his earlier heart attack. Still, he presses forward, guided by Lorraine’s increasingly intense psychic visions. In one such vision, Lorraine nearly becomes a victim of Isla herself, who is trying to complete a ritual that requires three deaths: a child, a lover, and a man of God.
Arne is set to be the final death—the lover—while imprisoned and growing increasingly unstable.
Movie Ending
In the final act, Ed and Lorraine discover the underground tunnels where Isla has her occult altar. Lorraine is nearly killed by Isla, who tries to manipulate her mind using dark magic. Ed, under possession, almost murders Lorraine but snaps out of it when she reminds him of their love—an emotional callback to their strong spiritual bond throughout the series.
Ed manages to destroy Isla’s altar with a sledgehammer, breaking the curse and severing the demon’s grip on Arne. The demonic entity turns on Isla instead, killing her violently for her failure to complete the ritual. Arne is no longer possessed.
In the aftermath, Arne is convicted of manslaughter instead of murder, receiving a reduced sentence. The film ends with a title card explaining that Arne Johnson served five years in prison and married Debbie while incarcerated.
The Warrens return home, and Ed adds the chalice from Isla’s altar to their collection of cursed artifacts. The movie closes on a tender note, showing Ed building a gazebo for Lorraine as he had once promised her during a near-death moment—a symbolic gesture of peace after chaos.
Are There Post-Credits Scenes?
No, there are no post-credits scenes in The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It. The film ends definitively with the traditional text cards describing the real-life outcomes and a quiet emotional moment between Ed and Lorraine.
Type of Movie
This is a supernatural horror film with elements of courtroom drama, occult thriller, and detective mystery. It diverges from the haunted house formula and brings in themes of satanic worship, demonic contracts, and criminal defense through possession.
Cast
- Patrick Wilson as Ed Warren
- Vera Farmiga as Lorraine Warren
- Ruairi O’Connor as Arne Cheyenne Johnson
- Sarah Catherine Hook as Debbie Glatzel
- Julian Hilliard as David Glatzel
- John Noble as Father Kastner
- Eugenie Bondurant as The Occultist (Isla)
Film Music and Composer
The score was composed by Joseph Bishara, a veteran of the Conjuring Universe. His unsettling, atmospheric soundscapes add to the sense of dread throughout the film. He also played Bathsheba in the original Conjuring and continues to shape the franchise’s sonic identity.
Filming Locations
- Atlanta, Georgia – Most of the film’s sets were constructed here, standing in for Connecticut and Massachusetts.
- Savannah, Georgia – Used for exterior shots, especially the eerie, wooded scenes and the outdoor sequences near Kastner’s home.
The U.S. settings ground the story in a very real, earthy sense of dread, emphasizing the “true story” aspect over supernatural fantasy.
Awards and Nominations
- Nominated for Best Horror Film at the 2021 Saturn Awards
- Won Best Makeup/Hairstyling at the Golden Trailer Awards
- While not a major awards contender, it was commercially successful and well-received by horror fans.
Behind the Scenes Insights
- This was the first Conjuring film not directed by James Wan. Michael Chaves took the reins, having previously directed The Curse of La Llorona.
- Vera Farmiga and Patrick Wilson underwent spiritual consultations to prepare for their roles.
- The exorcism scenes were shot over several intense days with practical effects, not just CGI.
- John Noble filmed his parts inside real abandoned tunnels to create a claustrophobic effect.
- The film’s production was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with much of post-production done remotely.
Inspirations and References
- The movie is based on the real-life case of Arne Cheyenne Johnson, also known as the Devil Made Me Do It case from 1981.
- Loosely inspired by court records, police reports, and the Warrens’ own writings.
- Father Kastner and the Occultist were fictional additions, added to give the plot a more cinematic antagonist and deepen the lore.
Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes
- An alternate ending was filmed where the demon attempts to possess Ed one final time during a courtroom scene but was cut for pacing.
- Additional background was shot for the Occultist’s character, including flashbacks to her upbringing with Kastner.
- A deleted subplot involved a second cursed family, but it was removed to keep focus on the Johnson case.
Book Adaptations and Differences
- The story was documented in Gerald Brittle’s book The Devil in Connecticut, co-authored with the Warrens.
- The book focuses more on the exorcism of David Glatzel and much less on Arne’s legal case.
- The film dramatizes events, including creating new characters like the Occultist and fabricating the curse narrative for narrative excitement.
Memorable Scenes and Quotes
Key Scenes
- David’s exorcism with furniture flying and the ceiling warping.
- Arne’s possession scene in the kennel with Bruno.
- Lorraine’s vision where she follows a ghost through the woods to a cliff’s edge.
- Ed’s possessed rage with a sledgehammer, nearly killing Lorraine.
- The destruction of the altar in the underground chamber.
Iconic Quotes
- Lorraine Warren: “Whatever is going on, whatever is happening, it’s not just a possession. It’s a curse.”
- Ed Warren: “The court accepts the existence of God every time a witness swears to tell the truth. I think it’s about time they accept the existence of the Devil.”
- Father Kastner: “The demon is not bound by time. It waits.”
Easter Eggs and Hidden Details
- A newspaper headline refers to the Perron family, a callback to The Conjuring (2013).
- The music box from the first film can be seen in the Warrens’ artifact room.
- The Annabelle doll makes a brief appearance in the background.
- The Occultist’s altar includes symbols from La Llorona, linking to The Curse of La Llorona.
Trivia
- This is the eighth film in the Conjuring Universe.
- Arne Cheyenne Johnson is still alive and has spoken publicly about the case.
- Vera Farmiga wears a blessed pendant during filming, as she’s claimed to have had real paranormal experiences on set.
- Patrick Wilson trained with real demonologists to portray Ed authentically.
Why Watch?
If you’re a fan of horror grounded in reality with chilling atmosphere, psychological dread, and supernatural mystery, this is a standout in the Conjuring series. It steps away from haunted house tropes and dives into satanic rituals, courtroom horror, and cursed artifacts, offering a fresh twist while staying true to the franchise’s emotional core: the unshakeable bond between Ed and Lorraine Warren.
Director’s Other Movies
- The Curse of La Llorona (2019)
- Upcoming: The Conjuring: Last Rites (2025)
Recommended Films for Fans
- The Conjuring (2013)
- The Conjuring 2 (2016)
- Annabelle Comes Home (2019)
- The Exorcism of Emily Rose (2005)
- Deliver Us from Evil (2014)
- Sinister (2012)
