Exorcist Criticizes Hollywood's Portrayal of Demonic Possession, Highlights Psychological Aspects

Hollywood's depictions of demonic possession, often featuring dramatic physical manifestations, fail to capture the most terrifying aspect of these encounters, according to Catholic exorcist Father Carlos Martins. He contends that the internal psychological warfare and the intimate knowledge demons possess about their targets are far more disturbing than any on-screen spectacle.

"The thing that Hollywood doesn't pick up well is the demonic mind," Father Martins stated in an interview. While acknowledging that films effectively portray demonic power through phenomena like levitation and screaming, he emphasized that the rage, inner anger, and disgust attributed to demons toward humans and God are often overlooked.

Father Martins, who co-hosts "The Exorcist Files" podcast, shared an account where a person undergoing an exorcism allegedly threatened his flight for the following day. He recounted the possessed individual saying, "Why are you here? You're not supposed to be here. I'm going to bomb your flight tomorrow." Father Martins interpreted this not as a literal threat but as evidence of the imperfect intelligence of demonic beings, noting that the entity seemed unaware of his changed plans.

He explained that the core of his work involves understanding why a demonic entity might claim authority over an individual and facilitating that person's reconciliation with Christ. This process, he clarified, is less about shouting at the devil and more about prayer and spiritual guidance. "The job of the exorcist is not to cast out the devil," Father Martins said, but rather to overpower the alleged demon through prayer and to help the individual return to a state of faith.

"The Exorcist Files" podcast, now in its third season, dramatizes alleged exorcism case files. Co-creator Ryan Bethea noted that one of the new season's episodes involves multiple family members over hundreds of years. Bethea suggested that such accounts might encourage listeners to examine personal struggles, including unresolved trauma and mental health concerns, which he and Father Martins believe can contribute to spiritual vulnerability.

Bethea also shared that his involvement with the podcast has strengthened his own faith, making him less fearful of the supernatural. "I have walked away feeling, ironically, less scared and more confident than ever," he said.

Father Martins cautioned against confronting demonic forces without adequate spiritual preparation, stating that human intellect alone is insufficient against what he described as the "ancient serpent." While he considers the 1973 film "The Exorcist" a compelling depiction, he singled out the head-spinning sequence as physically impossible and described witnessing what appeared to be supernatural illusions rather than actual physical transformations.

He warned that the greatest danger of demonic influence lies in the intimate knowledge demons supposedly possess about individuals. "When you're dealing with the devil, you're dealing with an entity that has observed you your whole life," Father Martins said. "He knows your weaknesses. He knows where your soft spots are. He knows what your preferences are."

Regarding Halloween traditions, Father Martins stated he does not oppose activities like trick-or-treating, provided children do not choose costumes that celebrate evil or demonic imagery. Bethea echoed this sentiment, cautioning against practices associated with the occult, such as the use of Ouija boards, astrology, and tarot cards, which the podcast has featured in several cases. The hosts stressed that not every unexplained experience should be attributed to supernatural causes and that rigorous psychological assessments are part of determining if an exorcism is warranted.

The overarching message of "The Exorcist Files," according to the hosts, is one of hope over fear. Father Martins concluded by stating, "You know, the devil has a plan for you. But the good news is, so does God." He added, "Am I afraid of the devil? No, I'm afraid of being separated from Jesus Christ."