Netflix and Beyond: How 'The Deliverance' and Documentaries Rekindled Interest in Real Exorcisms

Introduction: A new wave of interest

When Lee Daniels' horror drama The Deliverance debuted on Netflix in late August 2024, it reopened national conversation about one of the most sensational modern exorcism narratives: the Ammons case (often referred to in the press as the "200 demons" story). The film was released theatrically in mid‑August and began streaming on Netflix on August 30, 2024.

The Deliverance is explicitly inspired by the 2011 events described by LaToya Ammons and her family in Gary, Indiana — reports that included alleged levitation, unsettling voices, and multiple interventions by clergy and local authorities — material that has long been covered by both mainstream news outlets and paranormal producers. Contemporary coverage and dramatizations have continued to blur documentary and fiction for many viewers.

In this article we examine how one high‑profile Netflix title and a string of documentaries and television specials have shaped public interest and the broader cultural context for claims of real exorcism.

Media, dramatization, and the feedback loop

Feature films and documentary productions operate differently — fiction seeks emotional engagement, while documentaries promise (or imply) factual weight — but both can amplify the same cultural anxieties. Scholars of contemporary exorcism practices note that media coverage and entertainment both fuel public fascination, encourage seekers to look for spiritual explanations, and increase visibility for ritual specialists. Academic research describes a long‑standing relationship between sensational media and the institutional growth or reconfiguration of exorcism practice in the United States.

Specific nonfiction examples that preceded or accompanied recent dramatizations have also been influential. Zak Bagans' documentary Demon House (2018) — which centers on the Ammons house and Bagans' purchase and subsequent demolition of the property — received wide attention and mixed critical response, with some viewers treating it as confirmation and others as a pseudo‑documentary.

Similarly, William Friedkin's feature‑length film The Devil and Father Amorth (2018) and television specials such as discovery+'s revisitations of the Roland Doe material have kept real‑world exorcism claims in the public eye, prompting renewed curiosity and debate about the boundary between spiritual ritual and mental‑health explanations.

What changed after The Deliverance and recent docs?

While dramatic films rarely change policy, they do change questions people ask. The Deliverance reached major streaming audiences and reignited coverage of the Ammons story, bringing older allegations back into the news cycle and prompting fresh commentary from clergy, mental‑health professionals, and skeptics. Reports and summaries published about the film and its inspiration underline that the movie is a dramatization: writers and critics repeatedly observed the film’s fictionalization of events while noting its connection to the Ammons narrative.

Evidence from academic and ethnographic work suggests a consistent pattern: as media attention rises, so do requests for spiritual interventions, public inquiries, and the social visibility of exorcists. Institutional responses — such as diocesan guidelines, training seminars, and media appearances by practicing exorcists — are often framed as efforts to manage demand and differentiate pastoral care from sensational claims. These patterns were documented in recent scholarship examining how exorcism practice in America has adapted to media pressure and public curiosity.

Consequences, responsibilities and how to navigate claims

Increased public interest has several practical consequences. First, it intensifies the risk that medical or psychiatric conditions will be misinterpreted as spiritual phenomena; responsible commentators and clinicians continue to emphasize medical evaluation before ritual intervention. Second, sensationalized coverage can create financial and emotional pressures on families and communities affected by such claims. Third, media portrayals can confer unwanted celebrity on practitioners and sites, which can distort the lived experience of affected families. Scholars warn against conflating cinematic technique with documentary proof and recommend measured public discussion rooted in cross‑disciplinary consultation.

Guidance for readers: if you or someone you know is encountering unexplained or troubling behaviors, seek a thorough medical and psychological evaluation first, and consult trusted religious leaders for pastoral care if spiritual concerns remain. Exercise caution with producers and investigators who offer definitive claims without corroborating evidence; independent documentation, professional assessments, and sensitivity to privacy are essential.