🎯 Quick Overview
Trailer
- Director: William Brent Bell
- Genre: Horror, Thriller, Found Footage, Supernatural
- Release year: 2012
- Runtime (length): 1h 23min
- IMDb rating: 4.2/10 (38K votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes: 8%
😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained
A girl visits her mom in a mental hospital in Italy, some priests show up, demons play hot potato, and then everyone crashes a car; the end!
🍿 The Devil Inside: Detailed Plot Synopsis
Isabella’s Investigation Begins
In 2009, Isabella Rossi sets out to uncover the truth about her mother, Maria, who was institutionalized in Italy after murdering three clergy members during an exorcism in 1989. She believes Maria may be possessed, not mentally ill. Isabella hires a filmmaker, Michael, to document her journey.

Meeting the Unconventional Priests
Isabella and Michael attend an exorcism seminar in Rome, where they meet Fathers Ben Rawlings and David Keane, two priests who perform exorcisms outside the Vatican’s authority. Ben and David believe that some cases of supposed mental illness are actually demonic possession. Isabella is intrigued by their approach and decides to seek their help in evaluating her mother.

Exorcism Attempts and Demonic Transference
Isabella, Michael, Ben, and David visit Maria at the mental institution. During their initial interactions, Maria displays disturbing behavior, leading the priests to believe she is indeed possessed. They begin performing unauthorized exorcisms on Maria. However, the exorcisms lead to demonic transference, with the evil spirits jumping from Maria to the priests and eventually to Isabella.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained
🎬 Cast & Characters
- Isabella Rossi (Fernanda Andrade): Driven by a desire to understand her mother’s past, Isabella documents her journey into the world of exorcisms, seeking the truth behind her mother’s alleged demonic possession.
- Maria Rossi (Suzan Crowley): Haunted by a past exorcism gone wrong, Maria resides in a mental hospital, her mental state questioned as potentially being demonic possession.
- Father Ben Rawlings (Simon Quarterman): A priest who performs unauthorized exorcisms, believing that some cases require intervention outside the traditional church structure.
- Father David Keane (Evan Helmuth): Alongside Father Ben, he performs unsanctioned exorcisms and assists Isabella in uncovering the truth about her mother.
- Michael Schaefer (Ionut Grama): The cameraman filming Isabella’s documentary, inadvertently becomes entangled in the demonic events unfolding around him.
💬 Memorable Quotes
- Maria Rossi: “Have you ever witnessed a real exorcism, Father?” – This quote sets the stage for the film’s exploration of demonic possession and exorcism, questioning the priests’ experience and faith.
💰Box Office
- Budget: $1,000,000
- Domestic Gross: $53,261,944
- Worldwide Gross: $101,758,490
💥 The Devil Inside Reviews
Personal Review
Okay, so I went into ‘The Devil Inside’ expecting a decent scare, but what I got was… a whole lot of nothing. The shaky camera made me feel seasick, and honestly, the ‘scary’ parts were more laughable than anything else. I did appreciate Suzan Crowley’s portrayal of Maria Rossi, she was genuinely creepy, but the story just fell flat. The ending… don’t even get me started. It felt like the filmmakers just gave up and decided to crash a car. I left the theater feeling ripped off and disappointed. Definitely not a movie I’d recommend.
- Who would enjoy:
- “Fans of found-footage horror movies”
- “Viewers interested in demonic possession themes”
- “Those who enjoy low-budget thrillers”
- Content warnings ⚠:
- “Graphic violence and disturbing imagery”
- “Religious themes that may be offensive to some viewers”
- “Strong language”
Professional Reviews
- Rotten Tomatoes: “A found-footage flick that commits the cardinal sin of being boring. The story is a rehash of tired exorcism tropes, and the shaky camera work induces more nausea than scares. Skip this one and revisit ‘The Exorcist’.
- IMDB: “A poorly made film that fails to capitalize on the inherently creepy subject matter of demonic possession. The “found footage” gimmick feels tired and contributes to a sense of disorientation rather than suspense. The ending is abrupt and unsatisfying, leaving more questions than answers.
Audience Reactions
Some found Maria Rossi’s portrayal genuinely disturbing.: A few viewers found the initial setup and the exploration of faith vs. mental illness intriguing.
Many were extremely frustrated and angry at the abrupt ending.: Most agree that the shaky camera work detracted from the viewing experience.
Overall Consensus: The general consensus is that ‘The Devil Inside’ is a poorly executed found-footage horror film with a weak plot, uninspired scares, and an infuriatingly abrupt ending that leaves audiences feeling cheated.
Awards
🛠️ Behind the Scenes
- “The movie was filmed in a found footage style to create a sense of realism and immersion for the audience.”
- “With a budget of just $1 million, the film was a box office success, grossing over $100 million worldwide.”
- “The film’s ending was intentionally abrupt and unresolved, leading to significant controversy and negative reactions from viewers.”
🖥️ How to Watch The Devil Inside?
As of October 2024, “The Devil Inside” can be rented or purchased on platforms like Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check your local listings for cable on-demand options.

🎥 Similar Movies
If you enjoyed The Devil Inside, you might like these similar films:
- The Exorcist (1973): Classic horror film dealing with demonic possession and exorcism, setting the standard for the genre.
- The Last Exorcism (2010): Found footage horror movie exploring demonic possession with a skeptical protagonist.
- Paranormal Activity (2007): Another found footage horror movie known for its low budget and high box office returns and its realism style.
🛒 The Devil Inside Related Products
- The Exorcist [Blu-ray]: Experience the chilling classic that redefined the horror genre. See the film that ‘The Devil Inside’ tried (and failed) to emulate.
- Ouija Board Classic Game: Delve into the spirit world with the classic Ouija board. A chilling and interactive experience for those interested in the supernatural.
- Rosary Beads Necklace: A traditional Rosary necklace, a symbol of faith and protection against evil spirits.
- Exorcist Regan Bobblehead: A funny bobblehead from The Exorcist, a good gag gift.
🎧 Soundtrack
The Devil Inside features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:
You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.
🤨 FAQ
While the film presents itself as a documentary based on real events, “The Devil Inside” is a work of fiction. There is no documented case of Maria Rossi or the events depicted in the movie.
The ending was abrupt and unresolved, with no clear conclusion to the characters’ fates or the demonic possession storyline. It felt incomplete and served more as a promotion for an external website than a satisfying resolution to the film.
Demonic transference is the concept presented in the film where demons can move from one person to another during exorcism rituals. In “The Devil Inside,” the demons inhabiting Maria Rossi transfer to the priests attempting to exorcise her, leading to further chaos and possession.
🔥 Bonus Content
The Devil Inside movie review
Thinking of watching The Devil Inside? Jeremy Jahns’ review is a must-watch before you dive in! He’s got some pretty strong opinions on this one, and I totally agree with his final verdict.
The Worst Demonic Possession Film
Ever wondered why The Devil Inside got so much hate? Ryan Hollinger breaks down exactly why it’s considered one of the worst demonic possession films ever made. Prepare for some serious cinematic autopsy!
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