Are The Conjuring movies based on true stories?

What is the plot of The Conjuring 3?

While the first two installments of The Conjuring movies featured families in haunted houses, the third movie will be a little bit of a departure. While it will still involve possessions and exorcisms, it’s inspired by a murder trial in which the defendant, Arne Cheyenne Johnson, claimed the Devil made him do it.

In fact, the case was historic because it’s the first one where the defendant claimed innocence because of possession.

The Warrens’ involvement started prior to the murder. The Glatzel family asked them to help their 11-year-old son, David, who they believed was possessed by not just one demon, but 43!

Arne Cheyenne Johnson was engaged to David’s older sister, Debbie. Screen Rant reported that during the multi-day exorcism, Johnson made what Ed Warren called a “fatal mistake” by “taunting” the demons and saying, “Take me on, leave my little buddy alone.”

The Warrens allege the demons accepted that invitation and that’s why Johnson’s behavior changed and became erratic and volatile. Later, he murdered his landlord, Alan Bono.

So did his defense work? Did the court buy that the Devil made him do it?

No. Johnson was convicted.

Even though Lorraine Warren said he had been possessed during David Glatzel’s exorcism. Others present during the exorcism also claim they saw something transfer from Glatzel to Johnson.

Johnson only served five years, though. When he was released, he and Debbie still got married.

But what happened to his demon? There’s no mention of any priests or the Warrens performing an exorcism on him when he was released.

We can stream the first two Conjuring movies on Netflix, if we’re brave enough now that we know the true stories that inspired them.