Deliver Us from Evil Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A priest gets shuffled around a lot, and everyone pretends nothing’s happening… because, you know, God’s busy.

🍿 Deliver Us from Evil: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Introduction to Father Oliver O’Grady

The film opens by introducing Father Oliver O’Grady, a Catholic priest who served in various parishes in California during the 1970s and 1980s. O’Grady, known as ‘Father Ollie,’ initially appears as a charismatic and well-liked figure. The documentary sets the stage by juxtaposing this public image with the horrifying reality of his actions.

Exposing the Abuse

The documentary shifts to reveal the shocking truth: Father O’Grady was a serial child molester who preyed on children within his parishes. It includes interviews with several of his victims, who recount their experiences with chilling detail. These testimonies highlight the devastating impact of O’Grady’s actions on their lives and families.

The Church’s Cover-Up

A significant portion of the film focuses on the Catholic Church’s role in covering up O’Grady’s abuse. Evidence is presented showing that church officials were aware of O’Grady’s behavior but chose to move him from parish to parish instead of reporting him to authorities. This cover-up enabled O’Grady to continue abusing children for years.

O’Grady’s Perspective

The documentary includes unsettling interviews with O’Grady himself, who discusses his actions with a disturbing detachment. He admits to molesting children but often seems to lack genuine remorse or understanding of the harm he caused. His perspective provides a chilling insight into the mind of a predator.

Aftermath and Impact

The film explores the long-term consequences of O’Grady’s abuse and the Church’s cover-up. Victims describe the challenges they faced in seeking justice and healing from their trauma. The documentary also examines the broader impact of the Catholic Church’s abuse scandal on its credibility and the faith of its followers.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Oliver O’Grady (Oliver O’Grady): A former Catholic priest who confesses to sexually abusing children over several decades while serving in parishes across California.
• Thomas Doyle (Thomas Doyle): A priest and canon lawyer who advocates for victims of clergy abuse and exposes the Church’s cover-up.
• Anne Jyono (Anne Jyono): A survivor of Oliver O’Grady’s abuse who grapples with the betrayal of trust and loss of faith.
• Bob Jyono (Bob Jyono): The father of Anne Jyono, who loses his faith as he comes to terms with the abuse his daughter suffered.
• Roger Mahony (Roger Mahony): The Cardinal of Los Angeles, who is criticized for his role in covering up the abuse allegations against O’Grady and other priests.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Bob Jyono: “I made up my mind. There is no God. I do not believe in a God, all right? All these rules, everything… they’re made up by man, you know?” – A victim’s father expresses his loss of faith due to the Church’s failure to protect children.
• Oliver O’Grady: “People ask if I’m aroused by a man. I say no. People ask if I’m aroused by a woman. I say no. People ask if I’m aroused by a child. I say yeah, maybe. People ask if I’m aroused by a child in a bathing suit. I say probably. People ask if I’m aroused by a child naked. I say, you betcha.” – Father O’Grady matter-of-factly describes his attraction to children.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $300,000
• Domestic Gross: $1,265,368
• Worldwide Gross: $1,344,382

💥 Deliver Us from Evil Reviews

Personal Review

Watching this film hit me hard. I felt angry and disturbed. The interviews with the victims were incredibly powerful, and it’s hard to believe the Church allowed this to go on for so long. It made me question so many things, and I think that’s a sign of a truly impactful documentary. I think everyone should watch this.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Those interested in investigative documentaries”
  • “Viewers concerned about social justice issues”
  • “Individuals seeking to understand the Catholic Church abuse scandal”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Disturbing content related to child sexual abuse”
  • “Descriptions of sexual assault”
  • “Mature themes”

Professional Reviews

• Indiewire: “Amy Berg’s Deliver Us From Evil is a raw, essential documentary that unflinchingly exposes the systemic failures within the Catholic Church. It’s difficult to watch, but vital for understanding the scope of the abuse crisis.
• SIFFblog.com: “Amy Berg’s documentary exposes the atrocities committed by Father Oliver O’Grady… The fear of accountability has driven church leaders into collusive denial in order to maintain their historical status and wealth. Berg’s lack of an effective sales pitch is far overshadowed by her tremendous heroism in the face of persecution.
• Varsity.com: “We’ve known for a while now that what goes on in the confessional is not always the will of God. But the way this documentary is put together, it just moves you deep inside… Some will say that Amy Berg’s documentary paints a one-sided pretty ugly picture of the Catholic Church. But the Church didn’t always help itself when expressing doubt.

Audience Reactions

Viewers are shocked by the extent of the cover-up.: Most viewers praise the film’s unflinching look at the Catholic Church’s handling of abuse cases.

Parents guide: This has a heavy warning and should be view with caution.

Overall Consensus: A disturbing but essential documentary that exposes the Catholic Church’s handling of clergy abuse, leaving audiences shocked and questioning.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Director Amy Berg secured unprecedented access to Father Oliver O’Grady, conducting extensive interviews with him in Ireland, where he had relocated after the abuse allegations surfaced.”
• “The film sparked significant controversy, particularly regarding Berg’s decision to interview O’Grady in public spaces, including near a playground, raising ethical concerns about the potential for re-traumatization of victims.”
• “Deliver Us from Evil was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature in 2007 but lost to ‘An Inconvenient Truth’.”
• “Cardinal Roger Mahony, who appears in archival footage, faced increased scrutiny and legal pressure in the aftermath of the film’s release, with calls for his resignation due to his handling of abuse cases.”

🖥️ How to Watch Deliver Us from Evil?

As a documentary, ‘Deliver Us from Evil’ is available for streaming or purchase on various platforms depending on your region. Check platforms like Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, YouTube Movies, and Vudu to see if it’s currently available to stream or purchase. Availability may change over time, so it’s best to check these services directly. Some libraries also carry the DVD for rental.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Deliver Us from Evil, you might like these similar films:

• Spotlight (2015): A team of investigative journalists uncover a widespread scandal of child sex abuse within the Catholic Church.
• Mea Maxima Culpa: Silence in the House of God (2012): A documentary examining the sexual abuse of deaf children by a Catholic priest and the subsequent cover-up by the Church.
• The Magdalene Sisters (2002): Focuses on the abuse and exploitation of women in Ireland’s Magdalene laundries, institutions run by religious orders.

🛒 Deliver Us from Evil Related Products

• Spotlight [Blu-ray]: A gripping drama based on the true story of the Boston Globe’s investigation into the Catholic Church abuse scandal. A powerful companion piece to ‘Deliver Us From Evil,’ highlighting investigative journalism.
• Breaking Faith: A Former Catholic Priest Tells the Shocking Story of Sex, Deception, and Corruption in the Church: Examines the Roman church and its many cover ups.
• The Silence in the Garden: An Anne Perry Mystery: Investigating a scandal involving a priest and cover up.
• Dark Money: The Hidden History of the Billionaires Behind the Rise of the Radical Right: A historical novel with cover up as its many premise.

🎧 Soundtrack

Deliver Us from Evil features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “See You Soon” – performed by Tom Maxwell & Ken Mosher

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

‘Deliver Us From Evil’ and ‘Tammy’ | On Cinema Season 5, Episode 1 | Adult Swim

Want a laugh? Check out Tim and Gregg’s hilarious take on ‘Deliver Us From Evil’ – they’re always good for a few zingers, even if their movie knowledge is questionable! You’ll love their overly opinionated hot takes on the movie!

Controversial Movies 2: Don’t Deliver Us From Evil Analysis/History

Ever wonder about the real story and controversies behind movies? This video dives deep into the history and context of ‘Don’t Deliver Us From Evil,’ giving you some juicy insights! I was surprised by some of the things I learned.

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