The Devil on Trial is a Netflix documentary that delves into a case involving the Glatzel family, who believed their young son, David, had fallen prey to demonic possession. Desperate for help, they approached renowned paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren. Their involvement led to a sequence of disturbing events that served as the inspiration for the 2021 film The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It.

The story’s origins date back to November 24, 1981, in Brookfield, Connecticut, when Arne Cheyenne Johnson was convicted of first-degree manslaughter for the killing of his landlord, Alan Bono. At the heart of this narrative is the Glatzel family and their son, David Glatzel. They believed David had become host to a demonic entity. As they witnessed a series of increasingly horrifying events involving David, their desperation led them to seek help from the paranormal investigators, Ed and Lorraine Warren. Their hope was to find a cure for their son, who appeared to be in the grip of something beyond their understanding.

Together, the Glatzel family and the Warrens petitioned the Catholic Church to perform an official exorcism on David. The process spanned several days and reached a critical moment when, as recounted by those present, the demonic entity appeared to leave David’s body, only to find a new host in Arne Johnson. The book titled The Devil in Connecticut documented these events.

A few months later, Arne Johnson committed a shocking and violent act, taking the life of his landlord during a party. In his legal defense, it was argued that he had been under the influence of demonic possession at the time of the crime. However, the court dismissed this claim, deeming it impossible to prove and thus inadmissible as a legal defense. The trial that followed captured the attention of global media.

The documentary primarily relies on interviews with the Glatzel family, offering a closer look at the known details of the case. However, the documentary reveals the most interesting details in its final segments. One family member raises doubts about the existence of demonic possession, drawing attention to instances where the entity seemingly left David when his father intervened. The documentary explores rumors of an affair, shedding light on a potential motive for the murder committed by Arne Johnson. It also dives into the possibility that Ed and Lorraine Warren exploited the Glatzel family for financial gain by taking advantage of their experiences and exaggerating them.

A significant twist in the narrative emerges when one of the Glatzel brothers talks about the notes left behind by their mother. The notes expose a shocking truth: she had been giving the family sleep medication that induces hallucinations for a long time. This revelation introduces an additional layer of complexity to the events surrounding David’s possession.

Netflix’s The Devil on Trial ultimately falls short of its potential. Much of the information discussed in the documentary is readily available to the public, and it fails to explore in depth the alternative perspectives that could have made it more interesting and impactful.