Among the films in The Conjuring franchise, The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It (2021) stands out for its complexity. While the series has struggled to maintain a consistent global audience over the years, this third installment offers a bold blend of reality and fiction, albeit in a way that occasionally borders on chaos. Instead of dwelling on its imperfections, let’s delve into the supernatural mystery confronting the Warrens this time.
The story kicks off with the terrifying possession of David Glatzel, a young boy from an otherwise ordinary family. As the situation spirals out of control, Ed and Lorraine Warren are called in to investigate. However, the case takes an even darker turn when Arne Cheyenne Johnson becomes the demon’s next target. Can the Warrens trace the origins of this malevolent force and bring it to an end? Let’s unpack the plot and its gripping conclusion.
Spoilers Ahead
The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It (2021) Plot Summary & Movie Synopsis:
How does Arne get Possessed?
The film opens in 1981 at the Glatzel family’s new home. Their youngest son, David, becomes the focal point of a terrifying ordeal. Ed and Lorraine Warren are called in to document an exorcism after a powerful demon possesses David. As Father Gordon begins the ritual, the demon displays its immense strength, bringing the exorcism to a halt. Amid the chaos, David’s sister Debbie and her boyfriend Arne attempt to calm him, speaking to him directly. However, Ed warns them against this, explaining that their actions provoke the demon, leaving them vulnerable to its sinister influence.
Suddenly, David attacks Ed and puts his hand on Ed’s chest. Ed starts to feel that he is having a stroke. At that very moment, Arne takes David away from Ed and screams at him, asking the demon to take his body and leave David alone. Ed, struggling to breathe, tries to stop Arne but it’s already too late for that. The demon seizes the opportunity and enters into Arne’s soul. David is out of danger, but at present, it is Ed who requires medical treatment. No one understands what just happened as Arne starts behaving normally with time and David seems fine.
How does Arne End Up in Jail?
Arne’s actions stem from a place of desperation and selflessness. When David becomes uncontrollably violent during the exorcism, Arne intervenes out of love for Debbie and her family. Despite warnings from Ed, Arne challenges the demon, offering himself in David’s place. His decision, while noble, exposes him to the curse transmitted by the totem. This act seals his fate, making him the demon’s new vessel.
When Ed regains consciousness in the hospital, he immediately informs Lorraine that the demon has taken over Arne’s body. This revelation shocks everyone, as they believe the danger is over with David’s recovery. Acting quickly, Lorraine tries to contact Debbie at the Brookfield Boarding Kennels, where the Glatzel family resides. When Debbie doesn’t answer, Lorraine alerts the local police to check on the situation.
By the time the police arrive, the worst has already happened. Arne has murdered his landlord, stabbing him 22 times. Ed and Lorraine visit Arne in jail, hoping to confirm that he is still under demonic possession. However, they find no evidence of the demon’s presence in his body, complicating their efforts to prove his innocence. Without tangible proof, Arne’s case appears indefensible.
What Does Lorraine Find at the Glatzel House?
Determined to help, the Warrens approach Arne’s lawyer, Meryl, showing her footage from David’s exorcism in an attempt to convince her of the supernatural elements involved. While Meryl is skeptical, she agrees to present the possession angle in court. Unfortunately, the judge dismisses the argument, and Arne is taken to prison.
The Warrens now face a daunting task: finding concrete evidence to establish Arne’s innocence and expose the malevolent forces behind the tragedy. With time running out, they must uncover the truth before the occultist’s curse claims more lives. Lorraine Warren discovers a sinister witch’s totem hidden within the Glatzel house.
This artifact is central to unraveling the series of events surrounding David’s possession and Arne’s eventual murder. The totem, linked to a satanic curse, reveals that the possession is not a random occurrence but the result of an intentional act by an occultist. Lorraine deduces that the curse passed through the totem, making the Glatzel family its unsuspecting target. The discovery of the totem solidifies that the possession is not merely a spiritual attack but part of a calculated ritual by the occultist. By targeting the Glatzels, the occultist manipulates the demon to create chaos, ultimately leading to Arne’s possession and later violence.
How is Father Kastner Related to Everything?
When Ed and Lorraine visit Father Kastner, they learn that he is deeply familiar with the Disciples of Ram, a satanic cult. Kastner spent years researching the occult and uncovering their dark practices, which makes him an invaluable resource in understanding the curse linked to the witch’s totem. However, he reveals a shocking personal connection. His own daughter, Isla, is the occultist responsible for the recent tragedies.
Kastner admits that Isla’s fascination with the occult began during her childhood. As he immersed himself in researching the Disciples of Ram, Isla became drawn to the dark rituals and artifacts he studied. Kastner raised Isla secretly, violating his vow of celibacy as a Catholic priest. This secret upbringing, coupled with her exposure to his research, inadvertently shaped her path toward becoming an occultist.
Kastner reveals that Isla conducted her rituals in the tunnels beneath their home. These underground chambers served as a secluded site for her to practice Stregherian witchcraft and perform the satanic rites that cursed both the Glatzel and Jessica Louise Strong cases. The tunnels not only hold her altar but also serve as the epicenter of her malevolent activities, including placing the witch’s totems to curse her victims.
Through Kastner, Lorraine confirms that the totems are central to Isla’s rituals, enabling her to impose curses that drive victims to commit violent acts. The discovery of the totem beneath David Glatzel’s home and its presence in Jessica’s case ties Isla directly to the recent possessions and murders. Kastner believes that his involvement in studying the occult unwittingly enabled Isla’s descent into darkness.
Lorraine learns that to break Isla’s curse, her altar, the source of her power, must be destroyed. This revelation transforms the Warrens’ mission from uncovering the truth to actively dismantling Isla’s occult practices. Kastner’s knowledge, while tainted by personal guilt, equips the Warrens with the insight they need to confront Isla and stop her from claiming more lives.
The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It (2021) Movie Ending Explained:
How Do Ed and Lorraine Help Arne by Fighting Against Isla?
Ed and Lorraine Warren race against time to save Arne, who is possessed again and compelled by Isla’s curse to complete a blood sacrifice by taking his own life. Their investigation leads them to an underground lair at Kastner’s residence, where Isla conducts her dark rituals. This lair contains her altar, the source of her power, and the focal point of the curses she has cast. Determined to stop her, the Warrens confront Isla in the heart of her occult stronghold.
Lorraine plays a pivotal role in the fight against Isla. As Ed becomes hexed and is forced to attack her under Isla’s influence, Lorraine demonstrates her strength, not through physical force but through their enduring love. She appeals to Ed, breaking through the curse by reminding him of their shared memories and devotion. Her unwavering belief in their bond brings Ed back to his senses, allowing him to regain control.
Once Ed overcomes the hex, he channels his resolve into destroying Isla’s altar. The destruction of the altar disrupts the curse, freeing Arne from demonic possession just as Isla’s ritual nears completion. This act not only saves Arne’s life but also dismantles Isla’s ability to harm others. The destruction of the altar seals Isla’s fate. The demon she summoned turns on her, collecting her soul as punishment for her failure to complete the curse. Isla’s death mirrors the downfall of her father, Kastner, whose actions inadvertently contributed to her dark path.
As the battle ends, Ed suffers heart issues, but Lorraine gives him a pill she has lovingly kept in her locket, symbolizing her constant care and devotion. Their love, more powerful than any curse, not only saves them but reinforces the strength they derive from each other. While Arne is later convicted of manslaughter, the Warrens’ efforts save him from a death sentence or a lifetime imprisonment. However, what evidence Meryl represents to secure such judgment from the jury is never revealed.
Is The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It Based On A True Story?
Yes and no! “The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It” is based on the real-life trial of Arne Cheyenne Johnson, a landmark case in the U.S. where demonic possession was used as a defense for murder. The film captures elements of the actual events, including the involvement of Ed and Lorraine Warren, renowned paranormal investigators, who claimed Arne was under demonic influence.
However, the movie takes creative liberties by introducing the fictional character of Isla, the Occultist. This adds a supernatural antagonist and explores broader themes of greed and the dangers of power. While the trial and possession claims are rooted in reality, elements like Isla’s pact and rituals are entirely fictional, blending fact with dramatic storytelling.
![Hellraiser [2022] Movie Ending, Explained – These Hellish Sights Come At A Dear Price](https://www.highonfilms.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Hellraiser-2022-768x408.jpg)