The Exorcist Effect: Horror, Religion, and Demonic Belief

by Joseph P. Laycock, Eric Harrelson

The Exorcist Effect is a fascinating historical study of the ongoing relationship between horror movies and Western religious culture, with a focus on the period from 1968 to the modern day. Taking its name from the 1973 film The Exorcist, which was widely understood to be based on a true story, this book outlines a cycle in which religious beliefs and practices become the basis of films that in turn inspire religious beliefs, practices, and experiences in response. Authors Joseph P. Laycock and Eric Harrelson draw heavily from archival research to shed new light on the details of this phenomenon, in addition to incorporating interviews with horror authors, film writers, and paranormal investigators.Drawing on psychology, sociology, and folklore studies, Laycock and Harrelson theorize how film informs religious experience and shapes religious culture. The Exorcist Effect examines the production and reception of Rosemary's Baby (1968), The Exorcist (1973), and The Omen (1976) as seminal films in the genre; figures as Malachi Martin as well as Ed and Lorraine Warren, who inserted themselves directly into the spotlight, and the horror films that influenced and were inspired by their careers; and areas of culture where the influence of this cycle was most apparent-the Satanic Panic, religious exorcisms, and moral panic over heavy metal and the messages it was purported to spread. The final chapter considers the QAnon conspiracy theory and its numerous allusions to film as a contemporary manifestation of "The Exorcist effect." Ultimately, The Exorcist Effect is a deftly researched and compelling volume that is sure to interest horror buffs, religious scholars, and historians alike.

Genres: Nonfiction, Horror, Religion

312 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 24, 2023

Reviews

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting and clearly-written book about how religious and cultural beliefs affect horror films, but then how those horror films go on to affect religious and cultural beliefs. Definitely of interest to the horror film aficionado who wants to dig deep into the genre's societal impact.

[Sam P · Rating 5 out of 5]

I picked this up as a lifelong horror fan and getting in touch with my faith, wanting to understand more about how these things function in society. I didn't think a book about horror movies and religion would have such timely insights, but with the Epstein file controversy in full tilt as I write in July 2025, I couldn't help but draw the connection.


While Epstein's wrongdoings are well established fact, the conspiracy theories about his death, the cover-up, and about his unknown client list continue to plague the American psyche. Kernels of truth and real abuse blend with our penchant for imagination and low information literacy. The Epstein saga seems to be the latest iteration of a pattern that has been repeating itself in America's moral zeitgeist, described by the authors as the "Exorcist Effect." The Epstein narrative and conspiracy is clearly understood in the "city cult" pattern that they have observed (in this case, powerful elites engaged in evil, erotic conspiracy). Interestingly, unlike the QAnon conspiracy, the Epstein narrative appears to have united Americans of diverse political ideologies against this "city cult" iteration. I'm sure that if this book was published today, they would have discussed the Epstein case in this passage as well:


"Some of the films discussed in this chapter do not depict Satanists, but rather witches, Pagans, or practitioners of Afro-Cuban religions. This is not because we regard these traditions as synonymous or interchangeable. Rather it is because the Satanic Panic hinged on dark fantasies about the religious Other. Allegations ofy Satanic abuse in the 1980s were only the most recent iteration of a fantasy that David Frankfurter calls simply "evil ritual." The atrocities that Satanists were said to commit—infanticide, blood-drinking, sexual transgressions—are the same ones that early modern Europeans attributed to witches, medieval Europeans attributed to Jews, and Romans attributed to early Christians. They are also the same accusations that contemporary advocates of the QAnon conspiracy theory level against democrats, as well as celebrities like Tom Hanks. It is an enduring idea because the belief that somewhere people are performing evil rituals functions as a shield against anxieties about a changing world. The idea of monstrous opponents who are a living inversion of our values bolsters the idea that prevailing norms and values are unquestionably good and the way things must be. At the same time, the thought of these dark rites is exciting and frequently erotic. In this sense, it makes little difference whether fantasies about the religious Other and their rituals resemble the savage inhabitants of Skull Island from "King Kong" (1933) or the elitist Order of the Silver Serpent from "The Ninth Gate" (1999)...


Unfortunately, the Satanic Panic never really died. A 2012 study of legal cases found evidence suggesting allegations of Satanism still have a profound effect on juries and judges. Ideas of repressed memory and ritual abuse are still promoted in some parts of the therapeutic community. The International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation (ISSTD) was formed in 1984 and consists of health professionals studying "trauma-based disorders." Some of ISSTD's past presidents were leading figures in promoting claims of widespread [Satanic Ritual Abuse or] SRA. ISSTD holds annual meetings and some members still encourage their patients to believe they are victims of the sort of cult rituals depicted in [the movie] Michelle Remembers. Meanwhile, QAnon, an online movement of right-wing conspiracy theorists, has accused numerous politicians and celebrities of torturing children. The rise of QAnon suggests that Satanic Panic is even more of a threat to democracy and public safety today than in the 1980s."


—Joseph Laycock and Eric Harrelson, "The Exorcist Effect," 2024.


Recommending this book to anyone remotely interested in horror films and/or American Christianity. Awesome read.

[Steve Wiggins · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an important book with what seems an unusual idea at first—horror movies “based on a true story” often end up influencing reality. The initial test case is The Exorcist. Other writers have noted that modern conceptions of demons and exorcism are based on that movie. The authors show how the mind, which often has trouble recalling where it learned something, easily interjects movies as actual memories. This is something they call the “Exorcist effect.”

They show how this works out in the “unholy trinity” of horror films, Rosemary’s Baby, The Exorcist, and The Omen. They also discuss how real life celebrities, such as Ed and Lorraine Warren, and Malachi Martin, influenced ideas of exorcism, partially based on movies they’d seen or knew about. The Warrens, in turn, have had movies made about them, creating a cycle. The book also discusses the Satanic Panic and Heavy Metal music.

The message of the book is that information literacy is crucial to a democracy. Conspiracy theories are often built around ideas from horror movies and unless people learn how to distinguish reality from what has derived from movies, they may vote for candidates based on misremembered horror films. There’s a lot here for anyone who enjoys scary movies, but this book also has a thoughtful consideration of the implications for present-day societies. I wrote more about it here: Sects and Violence in the Ancient World

[Anders Winther · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very interesting book, which, through a mixture of sociological, historical and film critical research, analyses the effect of horror movies, especially those who use religious imagery, on the culture and religion of America from the middle of the past century to today. It is a exciting and worrying read, but a very useful resource for understanding the current predicament of movements like QAnon and the landscape of conspiracy theories influencing American politics. As well as the resurgence of the practice of exorcism and the fear of the paranormal.

[Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Informative and fascinating

Laycock and Harrelson tell a really important story of the rise in belief in demonic and Satanic activity evolved in the US. The stories are interesting but they do a good job of presenting the facts and helping the reader think critically. It's important we understand where our supernatural beliefs come from and to recognize their likely origins.

[Nick de Vera · Rating 4 out of 5]

shoutout to genetically modified skeptic. ostention is a useful idea, surely we'll see more and more of that with content churn and social meida.

[Daniel DeLappe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love this read. Does a good job tying up his subject to many things.