IMDb RATING
5.6/10
4.6K
YOUR RATING
Using reenactments and home videos, this dark documentary investigates the apparent possession of a young boy and the brutal murder that followed.Using reenactments and home videos, this dark documentary investigates the apparent possession of a young boy and the brutal murder that followed.Using reenactments and home videos, this dark documentary investigates the apparent possession of a young boy and the brutal murder that followed.
Carl Glatzel Jr.
- Self - David's Eldest Brother
- (as Carl Glatzel)
Maximos McIntyre
- Self - Russian Orthodox Priest
- (as Father Maximos)
Debbie Glatzel
- Self - David's Sister
- (archive footage)
Judy Glatzel
- Self - David's Mother
- (archive footage)
Carl Glatzel Sr.
- Self - David's Father
- (archive footage)
Ed Warren
- Self - Paranormal Investigator
- (archive footage)
Lorraine Warren
- Self - Paranormal Investigator
- (archive footage)
Alan Bono
- Self - Debbie's Boss
- (archive footage)
Merv Griffin
- Self - Host, The Merv Griffin Show
- (archive footage)
Walter Flanagan
- Self - State's Attorney
- (archive footage)
- Director
- Writer
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Featured reviews
A young boy is apparently being possessed by a demon. David sees visions, hears things, sounds demonic, and needs an intervention from the Catholic church. A murder happens, and an interesting defence is put forward.
I'm not totally convinced here, it was a watchable hour or so, but it didn't really have a lot of meat on the bone as it were. Sure it's out in time for Halloween, but the wonderfully imagery doesn't quite tell the whole story, yes it's about possession, but it's very talky.
Your enjoyment level is going to depend on where you sit on the whole debate of demons and possessions being real or not. I looked for a plausible solution, for me it felt as though were presented with a very credible one.
Let's applaud it for not being made into a six part series, it's pretty brief, and there is some interesting content, and some startling footage. You will see heavy influences for horror films, those were interesting to spot.
Sominex, wow that advert was quite something, that was a pretty unexpected twist.
6/10.
I'm not totally convinced here, it was a watchable hour or so, but it didn't really have a lot of meat on the bone as it were. Sure it's out in time for Halloween, but the wonderfully imagery doesn't quite tell the whole story, yes it's about possession, but it's very talky.
Your enjoyment level is going to depend on where you sit on the whole debate of demons and possessions being real or not. I looked for a plausible solution, for me it felt as though were presented with a very credible one.
Let's applaud it for not being made into a six part series, it's pretty brief, and there is some interesting content, and some startling footage. You will see heavy influences for horror films, those were interesting to spot.
Sominex, wow that advert was quite something, that was a pretty unexpected twist.
6/10.
Did he also make me watch it? No pun intended of course. Real life crime things - are they called documentaries as well? Doesn't matter actually I reckon - I try not to watch too many of those, but this popped up in my "this could interest you" list ... and I thought I'd give it a go.
The Exorcist was based on a real life incident ... so I reckon there is some merit to this. Still or maybe because I just re-watched the whole series and it is not or does not fare well for this here in particular. The movie is well researched and it is fine I reckon. You can believe what you want (no pun intended here either) ... and if you believe hard enough things may manifest .. or work out for you (maybe not so well for others) ... are we not responsible for our own actions then? Well, I don't think the movie is answering any questions of that sort ...
The Exorcist was based on a real life incident ... so I reckon there is some merit to this. Still or maybe because I just re-watched the whole series and it is not or does not fare well for this here in particular. The movie is well researched and it is fine I reckon. You can believe what you want (no pun intended here either) ... and if you believe hard enough things may manifest .. or work out for you (maybe not so well for others) ... are we not responsible for our own actions then? Well, I don't think the movie is answering any questions of that sort ...
The first 3/4 of the show was made like a movie, including some scar factors, it was like watching the conjuring movie that was amateurish. Ed warren actor had a cast that looked exactly like him, which was a plus. The acting was pretty ok and watchable. Pacing was pretty much here and there with some unintended funny scenes and sound effects.
The truths included what actually happened from a third perspective, which was something that has never been shown elsewhere(not that I know of). People who believed in the original story would probably hate it.
Overall I had a good lunch watching this.
The truths included what actually happened from a third perspective, which was something that has never been shown elsewhere(not that I know of). People who believed in the original story would probably hate it.
Overall I had a good lunch watching this.
The Devil On Trial might be interesting for people that liked The Conjuring. I'm one of them that enjoy that kind of stories. Do I believe all those things really happened? To be honest, not really, and this documentary turns more towards that way towards the end. Overall it's well made, the re-enactment looks believable, but I doubt that The Warrens are what they say they are. To me they look like conmen in this documentary and because of that all The Conjuring movies look more unrealistic from now on. The Devil On Trial is just for people that like easy entertainment, in this case a horror story based on true or false events. That's up to you to decide.
Demonic Possessions, Ghosts, Paranormal ..... how many of us , (normal people like me who watched a movie and came to write a review) can actually say that they have experienced any sort of anything even relatively close to paranormal . Its just all the stories that goes on from one mouth to other ear.
I liked Conjuring, I'm a horror fan. I won't take anything from the Hollywood aspect of it, but its really disturbing to see and know that how some people like The Warrens weave a so called fabricated reality into the minds of simple people just so that The Warrens can have their fame. And to even think that these people were supposed to be a ray of hope to someone who is unable, that's the most disturbing thing about the whole ordeal.
I don't know why this movie isn't getting the sensational response it so much deserve , forget the acting , forget the verdict, forget the guilty....just show the world what preys and predators look like in actual downright basic form. A man was murdered but somehow someone came up with an idea to make money of the dead.
I'm giving this rating solely for the sole purpose of what and who The Warrens were actually were.
This is a must watch for people like me , who craves for every aspect of something and who are not satisfied until the end.
I liked Conjuring, I'm a horror fan. I won't take anything from the Hollywood aspect of it, but its really disturbing to see and know that how some people like The Warrens weave a so called fabricated reality into the minds of simple people just so that The Warrens can have their fame. And to even think that these people were supposed to be a ray of hope to someone who is unable, that's the most disturbing thing about the whole ordeal.
I don't know why this movie isn't getting the sensational response it so much deserve , forget the acting , forget the verdict, forget the guilty....just show the world what preys and predators look like in actual downright basic form. A man was murdered but somehow someone came up with an idea to make money of the dead.
I'm giving this rating solely for the sole purpose of what and who The Warrens were actually were.
This is a must watch for people like me , who craves for every aspect of something and who are not satisfied until the end.
Did you know
- TriviaThe Warrens are the couple that The Conjuring are based on.
- Quotes
David Glatzel: [Possessed speaking to the priest] Fat dick, pork chop
- ConnectionsFeatured in Zodiac Killer Project (2025)
Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Official sites
- Language
- Also known as
- The Devil on Trial
- Production company
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
- Runtime
- 1h 21m(81 min)
- Color
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 2.35 : 1
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