Authors Joseph Laycock and Eric Harrelson discuss with host Aaron Sagers their new book The Exorcist Effect: Horror, Religion, and Demonic Belief on the 50th anniversary of the iconic film that changed the horror genre, and impacted belief in demons and possession.
On Dec. 26, 1973, The Exorcist — directed by William Friedkin, based on the book by William Peter Blatty — debuted in theaters. Released with low expectations, it became a box office hit, and radically changed the horror genre as serious and realistic. But it also led to a wave of reports of vomiting in theaters, people claiming they themselves were possessed by demons and it became a great recruitment tool for the Catholic Church, and career launch for Ed and Lorraine Warren.
In the new book The Exorcist Effect: Horror, Religion, and Demonic Belief, authors Joseph Laycock and Eric Harrelson explore the ongoing relationship between horror movies and Western religious culture, with a focus on the period from 1968 to the modern day through the lens of The Exorcist — as well as Rosemary's Baby, and The Omen — widely believed to be based on a true story. The book outlines a cycle in which religious beliefs and practices become the basis of films — including 2013's The Conjuring — that in turn inspire religious beliefs, practices, and experiences in response. Drawing on psychology, sociology, and folklore studies, the authors theorize how film informs religious experience and shapes religious culture.
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Talking Strange Paranormal Podcast with Aaron Sagers is a weekly paranormal pop culture show featuring celebrity and author interviews, with a weekly "Small Talk" mini-sode with reader submitted letters and spooky tales. Sagers is a paranormal journalist and researcher who appears as host of 28 Days Haunted on Netflix, and on Paranormal Caught On Camera on Travel Channel/Discovery+, and Talking Strange is part of the Den of Geek Network.
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