The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It — When Horror Put Faith on Trial

The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It — When Horror Put Faith on Trial

In 2021, The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It dropped with a chilling new tagline: “The court accepts the existence of God every time a witness swears to tell the truth. I think it's about time they accept the existence of the Devil.”

It wasn’t just a clever line — it was the thesis for the entire film.

Departing from the haunted-house formula that made the series famous, The Devil Made Me Do It ventured into uncharted waters: the intersection of horror, religion, and the legal system. While critics were divided on its execution, there’s no denying its cultural impact. It challenged what a Conjuring film could be, explored new themes around free will and evil, and left audiences asking: Can faith prove innocence?

Let’s dive into the legacy and cultural significance of this bold entry in the Conjuring Universe.

I. The Real Case That Shocked a Nation

The film is based on the infamous 1981 trial of Arne Cheyenne Johnson — the first time in U.S. history that a defendant claimed demonic possession as a legal defense for murder.

The real story goes like this: after months of alleged paranormal activity, an 11-year-old boy named David Glatzel was believed to be possessed. During a supposed exorcism performed by the Warrens, the demon was said to transfer itself into 19-year-old Arne Johnson, who later killed his landlord in a brutal stabbing.

At the trial, Johnson's lawyers claimed he was not responsible for his actions due to demonic influence.

In adapting this case, The Devil Made Me Do It did something rare: it put the supernatural on trial.

Instead of confining horror to the shadows, it dragged it into the courtroom spotlight — forcing characters (and audiences) to ask: What if possession is real?

II. Horror in a New Format: The Supernatural Crime Thriller

This was not your typical Conjuring setup.

Gone were the creaky houses and escalating hauntings. Instead, The Devil Made Me Do It took a detour into true crime territory, combining courtroom drama, detective work, and spiritual warfare.

• The Warrens investigate not just a haunting, but a murder mystery.

• They chase clues across states, study occult symbols, and uncover a satanic curse.

• Lorraine’s psychic visions become investigative tools, blurring the line between spiritual intuition and forensic analysis.

This shift made the film feel less like The Exorcist and more like The X-Files — a procedural wrapped in paranormal horror.

The result? The series matured. It showed that horror could evolve — expanding in scope while still clinging to its emotional and religious roots.

III. The Franchise Without James Wan: A Test of Identity

For the first time in the main trilogy, James Wan didn’t direct. Instead, Michael Chaves (who helmed The Curse of La Llorona) took the reins.

This change brought both opportunities and risks:

• Opportunities: The new direction allowed the franchise to explore different subgenres (legal drama, crime thriller) while still maintaining the Conjuring spirit.

• Risks: Some fans and critics felt the emotional depth and visual polish of Wan’s previous films was missing, leading to a slightly colder experience.

But the shift was inevitable. After two highly successful, traditional hauntings, the franchise needed to prove it could stand on its own legs. And for many, it did — bringing in over $200 million worldwide during a global pandemic and a dual HBO Max release.

It showed that the Warrens themselves — not just the ghosts — were the heart of the series.

IV. Faith, Free Will, and the Weight of Evil

More than anything, The Devil Made Me Do It is a theological film in disguise. It tackles some of horror’s biggest philosophical questions:

• Can evil be externalized? If a demon can control someone, can they still be held accountable?

• Does belief in God necessarily mean belief in the Devil?

• What does it mean to choose good, even when darkness tempts you?

The film uses Arne’s possession as a metaphor for the battle between free will and fate. But unlike other horror films that end in despair, this one ends in agency — Arne doesn’t get off scot-free, but he takes back control of his soul.

In a cultural moment where true crime and spiritual wellness are both trending, this blend of legal horror and metaphysical horror felt timely.

V. Expanding the Conjuring Mythology

The Devil Made Me Do It also deepened the lore of the Conjuring Universe by:

• Introducing The Occultist, a human antagonist who uses curses and demonic pacts.

• Suggesting that evil doesn’t always come from ghosts or demons — but from conscious, ritualistic intent.

• Exploring the power of cursed objects in a deeper way, tying into the Warrens’ artifact collection and setting up future spinoffs.

This reinforced the idea that the Conjuring Universe isn’t just about hauntings — it’s about an entire spiritual battlefield.

And it made way for new stories that don’t rely solely on possession tropes. It widened the sandbox.

VI. Streaming, Horror, and Post-Pandemic Viewing Habits

Released in June 2021, the film arrived during a delicate moment: theaters were just reopening, and Warner Bros. had opted to simultaneously release films in theaters and on HBO Max.

Despite these hurdles, The Devil Made Me Do It:

• Became one of the most-watched films on HBO Max during its release weekend.

• Brought horror lovers back to theaters during a time of uncertainty.

• Proved that horror remains one of the most resilient genres in terms of performance and fandom loyalty.

Its success helped affirm that streaming doesn’t have to kill the box office — and that horror thrives across formats, especially when backed by a passionate fanbase.

VII. Final Legacy: When Horror Dared to Ask Hard Questions

The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It may not be the most traditional or terrifying entry in the franchise, but it is arguably the boldest.

It pushed boundaries. It asked difficult questions. It stepped into the courtroom and dared to suggest that belief — in both light and darkness — can shape the outcome of our lives.

It also served as a reminder that horror doesn’t have to be formulaic. It can evolve. It can explore new genres. And it can continue telling stories about the Warrens, even when the ghosts take a back seat.

What’s Next for the Conjuring Universe?

With more spinoffs planned and The Conjuring 4 in development, the series shows no signs of slowing down. But The Devil Made Me Do It proved something crucial:

Horror can wear many faces — not just masks and makeup, but moral dilemmas, legal gray areas, and human sacrifice.

And that, perhaps, is the scariest — and most human — thing of all.

What did The Devil Made Me Do It make you feel?Did you like the shift in tone and story? Do you think demonic possession has a place in a court of law — even fictionally?