You’ve probably seen the headlines. Maybe you caught a clip on TikTok of a house that looks perfectly normal on the outside but hides a history that feels like a fever dream. When people talk about the Devil in the House documentary, they aren't just talking about a movie; they are talking about a cultural phenomenon that forced a lot of us to sleep with the lights on. It’s one of those rare true-crime-meets-supernatural stories that actually sticks.
It’s messy. It’s loud. Honestly, it’s a bit exhausting to process because the facts keep shifting under your feet.
The documentary dives deep into a specific case that many know as the "Devil Made Me Do It" trial, or more formally, the trial of Arne Cheyenne Johnson. It was the first time in United States history that a defendant officially claimed "demonic possession" as a defense for manslaughter. If that sounds like something out of a Hollywood script, it’s because it basically became one. This case served as the backbone for The Conjuring 3, but the documentary strips away the jump scares to look at the actual people involved.
What Really Happened in Brookfield?
Back in 1981, Brookfield, Connecticut, was the last place you’d expect to find a media circus involving exorcisms and murder. But there it was.
The story starts with a kid named David Glatzel. According to the family, David began seeing a "beastly" figure in their home. Now, a lot of skeptics will tell you this was a case of undiagnosed mental health issues or extreme family stress. The documentary doesn't shy away from that. It presents the Glatzel family’s perspective alongside the skeptical views of investigators and journalists who were there at the time.
Then you have Ed and Lorraine Warren.
Love them or hate them, you can’t talk about this case without them. They arrived on the scene and claimed that David was indeed possessed by multiple demons. During an informal exorcism, Arne Johnson—who was dating David’s sister, Debbie—allegedly taunted the demon to leave the boy and enter him instead.
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A few months later, Arne killed his landlord, Alan Bono, during a heated argument.
The Devil in the House documentary succeeds because it forces you to look at the fallout of that moment. It’s not just about whether a demon existed. It’s about how a community, a legal system, and a family reacted to a claim that defied all logic. The documentary features interviews with the real David Glatzel and his brother Carl, who has been incredibly vocal over the years about his disdain for how the Warrens handled the situation. Carl’s perspective is a cold splash of water; he essentially views the whole thing as a predatory exploitation of a family in crisis.
The Legal Nightmare and the Media Frenzy
Imagine being a judge in the 80s and a lawyer looks you in the eye and says, "My client isn't guilty because a spirit from hell moved his hand." Judge Robert Callahan wasn't having it. He famously threw out the "possession" defense, stating that such a thing simply couldn't be proven in a court of law. It lacked "evidentiary foundation."
Arne was eventually convicted of first-degree manslaughter. He served five years of a ten-to-twenty-year sentence.
But the media? They loved it. The documentary highlights how the press turned a tragedy into a spectacle. You see the grainy footage of the era, the sensationalized headlines, and the way the "paranormal" became a commodity. It’s kinda gross when you think about it—a man lost his life, and a young man’s life was forever changed, yet the world was more interested in whether a ghost was present.
Why We Are Still Obsessed
Why do we keep coming back to this?
- The "What If" Factor: Even the most hardened skeptic has a tiny voice in the back of their head that wonders if something beyond our understanding happened.
- The Warren Legacy: Ed and Lorraine built an empire on these stories. The documentary examines their influence, which remains massive even years after their passing.
- Family Trauma: At its heart, this is a story about a family falling apart. The Glatzel brothers are still at odds today. Carl even sued the Warrens and the authors of the book The Devil in Connecticut.
Misconceptions the Documentary Clears Up
There is a huge difference between the "movie version" and what the Devil in the House documentary presents. In the movies, the Warrens are usually portrayed as purely heroic figures battling darkness. The documentary offers a much more nuanced, and frankly, more critical look at them. It asks tough questions: Did they coach the family? Was David Glatzel actually suffering from a medical condition that went untreated because everyone was focused on demons?
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David himself speaks in the documentary. Hearing his voice as an adult, reflecting on the terror he felt as a child, is haunting. Whether you believe in the supernatural or not, his trauma is real.
The film also touches on the landlord, Alan Bono. In many fictionalized versions, he’s a footnote. The documentary gives him a bit more humanity. He wasn't just a victim in a horror story; he was a person with a life and a family, and the documentary reminds us of the gravity of the crime that took place.
The Technical Side of the Story
From a filmmaking perspective, the Devil in the House documentary uses a mix of reenactments and archival audio. The audio tapes from the actual "exorcisms" are probably the most unsettling part. You hear a child screaming and growling. For some, it’s definitive proof of the demonic. For others, it sounds like a terrified kid being pressured by adults who are convinced he’s possessed.
The documentary doesn't tell you what to think. It lays out the pieces of a very broken puzzle and lets you try to fit them together.
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It’s worth noting that the production quality is high-end. It isn't a low-budget YouTube investigation. It features slick editing and a score that keeps the tension high without feeling cheap. The directors clearly spent a lot of time tracking down the people who were actually in that room in 1980 and 1981.
Real-World Impact and Legacy
The case changed how we look at the intersection of faith and law. While the "demon defense" failed, it set a precedent for how the legal system handles unconventional claims. It also cemented the "Devil Made Me Do It" phrase into our cultural lexicon.
If you are looking for a clear-cut ending, you won't find it here. The documentary leaves you with more questions than answers. Was it a hoax? Was it a collective delusion? Or was there actually something dark in that house?
The reality is likely somewhere in the messy middle.
Actionable Steps for the Curious
If this documentary has you spiraling down a rabbit hole, here is how you can actually verify the facts for yourself and get the full picture:
- Read the Court Transcripts: You can find summaries and excerpts of the State of Connecticut v. Arne Cheyenne Johnson online. Looking at the legal arguments helps separate the "movie magic" from the cold, hard reality of the courtroom.
- Check the Medical Perspectives: Look into the "Skeptical Inquirer" articles regarding this case. Experts in psychology and neurology have offered several alternative explanations for David Glatzel’s behavior that are worth considering.
- Follow the Money: Research the lawsuits filed by Carl Glatzel. Understanding the financial disputes between the family and the Warrens provides a lot of context for why certain narratives were pushed.
- Watch the Source Material: Compare the documentary to the older 1983 TV movie The Demon Murder Case. It’s fascinating to see how the story has evolved through different eras of media.
- Visit Brookfield (Respectfully): If you’re a local or a traveler, you can see the areas where this took place. Just remember that these are private residences and real neighborhoods where people still live today.
The Devil in the House documentary serves as a stark reminder that the truth is rarely as simple as a "good vs. evil" narrative. It’s a story of people, pain, and the strange things we believe when we are pushed to the edge. Whether the devil was in that house or just in the minds of the people inside it, the impact remains undeniable.