In his preface to The Screwtape Letters (1941), C. S. Lewis playfully suggests that some correspondence between two devils has fallen into his hands by means he will not explain. He must prevent “ill-disposed or excitable people” from trying to lay their hands on similar communication. It’s a trick, Lewis suggests, that can be done by anyone who has “learned the knack.” The danger, as the fictionalized Lewis waxes, is that “there are two equal and opposite errors into which our race can fall about the devils. One is to disbelieve in their existence. The other is to believe, and to feel an excessive and unhealthy interest in them.” If he disclosed his secrets, excitable people would quickly fall into the latter danger of excessive interest in devils. Looking at the spate of recent movies about possession and exorcism, it would seem that Hollywood has acquired “the knack,” in a manner of speaking. There are dozens of exorcism movies from just the last ten years available to rent on Amazon Prime and at least three films released or slated to release in 2023: The Pope’s Exorcist, Nefarious, and The Exorcist: Believer. Of these latter three, the first two did well financially, and it’s not hard to imagine the forthcoming sequel to the hallmark possession movie — The Exorcist (1973) — terrorizing millions. Given the rise of Hollywood movies about exorcism and possession movies, it might be easy to assume that we’ve fallen into the danger of unhealthy interest Lewis warned about. But with the rise of the “nones” and a widespread disenchanted worldview, one could just as easily argue that we are far too disbelieving. So, which is it? Are we too materialistic, detached from the reality of the spiritual realm, or overly obsessed with the unseen world?


This Postmodern Realities episode is a conversation with JOURNAL author Philip Tallon about his online article, “The Power of the Devil Compels Us: Possession and Exorcism Movies in a Modern Age.” https://www.equip.org/articles/the-power-of-the-devil-compels-us-possession-and-exorcism-movies-in-a-modern-age/ **Editor’s Note: This article contains spoilers for The Pope’s Exorcist (2023), Nefarious (2023), The Exorcism of Emily Rose (2005), and The Exorcist (1973).** When you support the Journal, you join the team of to help provide the resources at equip.org that minister to people worldwide. These resources include our ever growing database of over 1,500 articles, as well as our free Postmodern Realities podcast.Another way you can support our online articles is by leaving us a tip. A tip is just a small amount, like $3, $5, or $10 which is the cost for some of a latte, lunch out, or coffee drink. To leave a tip, click here

Other recent articles and Postmodern Realities podcasts featuring this author:Episode 320 Slaying and Redeeming Demons: Understanding the Anime Film Demon SlayerSlaying and Redeeming Demons: Understanding the Anime Film Demon Slayer”.Zombie Movies:Episode 300: Our Own Worst Enemy: Zombie Movies and the Horror of Human SinOur Own Worst Enemy: Zombie Movies and the Horror of Human SinSherlock Holmes Episode 243: The Fall of Sherlock: Investigating the Victorian Detective in a Modern AgeThe Fall of Sherlock: Investigating the Victorian Detective in a Modern AgeRevenge Movies:Episode 225: Wild Justice: Why Do We Love Revenge Movies?Wild Justice: Why Do We Love Revenge Movies?The MandalorianEpisode 217: Thinking About Religion in The MandalorianThis is the Way…Or is It?: Thinking About Religion in The MandalorianTenetEpisode 205: Time May Change Me, But I Can’t Change Time: Reversing Time to Understand Christopher Nolan’s TenetTime May Change Me, But I Can’t Change Time: Reversing Time to Understand Christopher Nolan’s TenetA Hidden LifeEpisode 155 The Marathon of Martyrdom: A Review of A Hidden LifeThe Marathon of Martyrdom: A Review of A Hidden LifeStar Wars: Rise of Skywalker Episode 154: The Dead Won’t Stop Talking: A Review of The Rise of SkywalkerThe Dead Won’t Stop Talking: A Review of The Rise of SkywalkerFred Rogers and Mr. Rogers Neighborhood:Episode 150: The Eternal Importance of Being Awkwardly Earnest: A Review of “A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood”The Eternal Importance of Being Awkwardly Earnest: A Review of “A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood”Steven Spielberg Movies:Episode 139 Clear Skies, Hurt Hearts, Can’t Lose: Why Spielberg’s Aliens Help Make us More HumanClear Skies, Hurt Hearts, Can’t Lose: Why Spielberg’s Aliens Help Make us More HumanTolkienEpisode 123 Tolkien’s First FellowshipTolkien’s First Fellowship A film review of TolkienAlfred Hitchcock films:Episode 100: A. Hitchcock FilmsThe Coen Brother’s Films:Episode 050: O Father, Where Art Thou? The Coen Brothers and the Riddle of Existence