By Melissa Antoinette Garza
Ever since I saw The Conjuring (2013), I have been interested in learning more about the demonologists depicted in the film. Ed and Lorraine Warren had worked in the field for decades and opened the New England Society for Psychic Research in 1952. As both a New Englander and a fan of horror, I am certainly compelled by their tales regarding the paranormal.
I had watched many interviews with the Warrens. The most interesting was a Sally Jesse Raphael episode from the 80s. I found the full episode on YouTube. The topic was the famous Snedeker case that was later adapted into the awful movie A Haunting in Connecticut (2009). Though the talk show didn’t erase nor feed my skepticism, I was turned off by how arrogant Ed Warren was. More than that, he often came across as a bully. Considering how many times he had been labeled a fraud, I can almost understand it, but here he seemed antagonistic against anyone who raised a question about what occurred. Mrs. Warren, on the other hand, did have a fair amount of decorum about her and was always very respectful and dignified when she spoke.
I ended up walking away losing 45 minutes of my life and no more informed than when I started. So, my research continued. It was then that I heard of a made-for-TV movie entitled The Demon Murder Case.
The actual case is now pretty well-known, but in the film all of the names had been changed, I assume to protect the parties involved.
The film follows a young boy, Charles Fields (Brian Frazier) who is overtaken by a demon hell-bent on destroying the family.
They bring in the Warrens who for the sake of the movie are named Guy (Andy Griffith) and Charlotte Harris (Beverlee McKinsey). They attempt to enlist the help of a priest. The man-of-God believes the boy may have a psychotic illness and therefore wants no part of it. He agrees that if the Bishop permits an exorcism that he’ll be present for it, but other than that, he does not want to participate. He refuses to even bring it to the Bishop on their behalf.
Kenny (Kevin Bacon), who I believe is the older brother though the relationship is never quite made clear, demands that the demon leave the boy and go into him. He is warned not to do that by Guy Harris, but doesn’t heed the warning.
The demon ends up overtaking Kenny but the evidence isn’t as clear as it was when Charles was overtaken. He ends up murdering his fiancé’s boss.
The first half of the movie is pretty good, but the second half falls flat. I read up on the real case and like The Amityville Horror and The Haunting of Connecticut there are a lot of people who say the entire thing was a fraud. It’s been said that the Warrens made up the story to get the son off a murder charge and of course to rank in some money. There were lawsuits involved and those directly involved were split on what actually occurred.
There were numerous different and often contradictory stories reported. In the end and once again, I’m no more convinced about the Warrens authenticity now than before I watched the film.
Overall, this isn’t a must-see movie. It’s quite good for a made-for-TV production and though it isn’t scary, there are a few entertaining and fun parts. If for no other reason, but being a horror film you haven’t seen, you may want to check it out.
Scared Stiff Rating: 5.5/10
