The Devil on Trial: A Terrifying True Story of Possession and a Family's Fight for Survival.
If you love horror movies based on real events, The Devil on Trial is a must-watch. It's a chilling tale of demonic possession, family trauma, and a groundbreaking legal case. The story is based on a shocking case from the early 1980s. It involves a young boy allegedly possessed by an evil entity, leading to a murder that was the first in U.S. history to use "demonic possession" as a legal defense.
A Happy Family Torn Apart
The story starts with a peaceful family. David Glatzel, an 11-year-old boy, lives with his parents and siblings—Ronnie and Carl. Life is normal, filled with simple, happy moments. When their older sister Debbie decides to move into a new house in Newtown with her boyfriend Arne, the family comes together to help her clean and prepare the home.
During the cleaning, David wanders into a room alone. As he sweeps the floor, something unimaginable happens. The peaceful atmosphere of the house is shattered forever.
The Beginning of the Haunting
David starts acting strange after that day. He's quiet, withdrawn, and visibly frightened. When his mother questions him, he reveals that the room he cleaned had an eerie energy. The door kept opening and closing by itself, and he felt an invisible presence moving closer to him.
Then, the most terrifying moment happens—he is thrown onto the bed by a shadowy figure with black eyes resembling a beast. The entity whispers a threat: "I will take your soul soon."
His family is shaken but skeptical. They try to comfort him, assuming it was just a bad dream. But that night, David begins hearing horrifying noises and sees ghostly figures outside the window. His toys start moving on their own, and he breaks down in fear.
Escalation of Paranormal Activity
David’s sister Judy becomes worried and calls a friend to visit and help. The friend recommends burning incense, hoping to drive away any evil presence. For a brief moment, it seems to help—but the haunting intensifies.
One night, the entire family is awakened by David’s screams. The house shakes violently, lights flicker on and off, and windows shatter. David enters a terrifying trance, repeating that "He is here, standing on the roof," warning the family not to open the door.
Seeking Spiritual Help
The next day, the family turns to their neighbor, Mrs. Anzac, who has a deep interest in spirituality. She reveals that she once consulted a medium and suggests the family do the same—or move out entirely. But the Glatzels are emotionally attached to the house and are reluctant to leave.
Desperate for answers, they come across a TV interview featuring two renowned paranormal investigators: Ed and Lorraine Warren. Known for their work on the Amityville haunting, the Warrens are no strangers to demonic possessions. Lorraine can hear and see spirits, and Ed has decades of experience dealing with the supernatural.
Feeling hopeful, Judy contacts a man named Danny and explains everything. Danny agrees to help and brings a doctor with him. The doctor examines David and finds no physical or psychological issues. With nothing medically wrong, they begin a spiritual investigation.
The First Exorcism Session
Danny sets up a recorder and starts asking David questions. The boy, terrified, answers quietly. The family confirms they want to end the nightmare. When Danny asks if the demon “Jamaica” is present, David’s body stiffens. Lights flicker, and the house shakes again. Lorraine warns that this is not an ordinary spirit—it is a highly dangerous demonic force.
David's condition worsens. He begins talking in strange voices, experiencing seizures, and collapsing unexpectedly. During one of these terrifying moments, Judy films everything to show the Warrens later. Each time David regains consciousness, he remembers nothing.
A Sacrifice That Changed Everything
David's mother is heartbroken, and his father, who had distanced himself, now believes his son is in danger. The Warrens suggest taking David to a church for an exorcism. During the ritual, David becomes violent, screaming and trying to attack those around him. His face turns blue, and he struggles to breathe.
In a moment of desperation, Ronnie begs the demon to leave David and take him instead. This single plea changes everything.
Suddenly, David collapses—and wakes up completely normal. Everyone thinks the horror is over.
But it's only just begun.
A New Possession
Months later, the family starts to move on. David is back to his old self, and they hope the nightmare has ended. But one night, while hanging out with friends, Ronnie starts acting erratically. Back at home, David receives a frantic phone call—Ronnie has killed one of his closest friends.
Shockwaves ripple through the community. No one can understand why Ronnie, a quiet and kind young man, would commit murder. But those who lived through David’s possession know the horrifying truth: the demon didn’t leave. It found a new host.
The First U.S. Murder Trial to Use "Demonic Possession" as a Defense
The tragedy leads to a historic legal case. Ronnie's defense attorneys make a shocking claim—he was possessed by a demon when he committed the murder. This case becomes the first time in U.S. legal history that demonic possession is used as a defense in a murder trial.
The story of The Devil on Trial doesn't just explore the terror inside one family’s home—it questions the boundaries between the supernatural and the legal system, belief and skepticism, science and faith.
Real Events Behind the Movie
The Devil on Trial is not just a fictional horror movie. It’s based on the true story of the Glatzel family and the Warrens’ investigation into David’s possession. The case was heavily documented, with recordings, eyewitness accounts, and the involvement of professionals from both spiritual and medical fields.
Netflix’s horror documentary brings this unsettling case to life with dramatized reenactments, interviews, and real footage. It forces viewers to ask chilling questions: Can a person truly be possessed? Can a demonic entity force someone to kill? And what would we do if it happened to someone we love?
Final Thoughts
If you're searching for a horror film that offers more than cheap thrills, The Devil on Trial delivers a compelling narrative rooted in horrifying truth. With a perfect mix of suspense, drama, and supernatural elements, the film challenges your beliefs and leaves you haunted long after the credits roll.
Whether you believe in possession or not, this story will shake you. It’s not just a tale of ghosts—it's a chilling reminder of how fragile our reality can be.