Host Adam Charles examines the 2005 film The Exorcism of Emily Rose and the tragic real-life case that inspired it: Anneliese Michel, a young German woman whose death in 1976 became one of the most controversial exorcism cases in modern history.
The Film: The Exorcism of Emily Rose (2005)
- Director: Scott Derrickson (later known for Sinister, Doctor Strange, The Black Phone)
- Genre: Courtroom drama/horror thriller
- Cast: Laura Linney, Tom Wilkinson
- Plot: After college student Emily Rose dies following exorcism rituals, Father Richard Moore faces negligent homicide charges. The story unfolds through courtroom testimony and flashbacks, questioning whether Emily suffered from epilepsy or demonic possession.
The True Story: Anneliese Michel
Background
- Born: September 21, 1952, in Bavaria, West Germany
- Family: Devout Catholic household; attended mass multiple times weekly
- Childhood trauma: Sister Martha died at age 8, leading to increased religious strictness in the home
Medical History
- 1968 (age 16): First seizure; diagnosed with temporal lobe epilepsy
- Began experiencing hallucinations, hearing condemning voices
- Developed extreme religious depression and aversion to holy objects
- 1973: Enrolled at University of Würzburg to study education and theology
- Treated by multiple neurologists and psychiatrists; diagnosed with possible psychosis and schizophrenia
- Medications included anticonvulsants and antipsychotics, but symptoms persisted
The Exorcisms
- 1975: Church approved exorcism after initial denial
- Exorcists: Father Arnold Renz (lead) and Father Ernst Ault
- Duration: 67 sessions over 10 months
- Audio recordings captured disturbing voices claiming to be various entities including Lucifer, Cain, Judas, Nero, Hitler, and others
- Anneliese performed hundreds of kneeling motions per session, causing permanent knee damage
Death and Aftermath
- Died: July 1, 1976, at age 23
- Weight at death: 66 pounds
- Cause: Malnutrition and dehydration
- Last words to exorcist: “Beg for absolution”
- Last words to mother: “Mother, I’m afraid”
The Trial (1978)
- Defendants: Parents (Josef and Anna Michel) and both priests
- Charges: Negligent homicide
- Verdict: All four found guilty
- Sentences: Six months suspended, three years probation; no jail time served
Legacy
- 1999: Vatican released revised exorcism rite requiring mental illness be ruled out first
- Anneliese’s grave became a pilgrimage site for those who view her as a martyr
- Reports of stigmata-like wounds remain controversial
Film vs. Reality: Key Differences
- Setting changed from 1970s rural Bavaria to modern America
- Timeline condensed significantly
- Two priests reduced to one; parents removed from narrative
- 3am motif is fictional creation
- Focus shifted to priest’s trial rather than victim’s experience
Critical Analysis
Adam argues the film misses the mark by making Emily Rose a secondary character in her own story, focusing instead on the fictional attorney’s journey. The courtroom framing reduces dramatic stakes since the outcome is already known.
Cultural Context
The Exorcist (1973) opened in West Germany in September 1974 to significant controversy and Catholic Church condemnation, creating widespread awareness of possession during the period of Anneliese’s suffering.
The Exorcism of Anneliese Michel by Felicitas D. Goodman
The Exorcism of Emily Rose (2005) – Trailer