The Devil Made Me Do It – True Story Movie and Streaming Guide

The 2021 horror film *The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It* brought renewed attention to one of the most unusual trials in American legal history. The case of Arne Cheyenne Johnson, who in 1981 attempted to use demonic possession as a murder defense, remains a subject of fascination, skepticism, and debate. This article separates the facts of the real case from the cinematic dramatization, examines the available media, and answers the most common questions surrounding the story.

The phrase “the devil made me do it” is not merely a movie title. It was the core argument of a defense team in Brookfield, Connecticut, during a trial that relied on the testimony of paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren. The murder, the trial, and the surrounding claims have since spawned a book, a television movie, and a major Hollywood franchise entry.

What is the true story behind ‘The Devil Made Me Do It’?

The real story begins in the summer of 1980, not with a murder, but with a series of disturbing events involving an 11- or 12-year-old boy named David Glatzel. David, his sister Debbie, and her fiancé Arne Cheyenne Johnson were cleaning a rental property when David claimed to have seen a demonic figure he described as an “old man.” Over the following weeks, the family reported escalating paranormal activity, including growling, hissing, levitation, and what Lorraine Warren later described as invisible choking that left red marks on David’s neck.

The Glatzel family contacted Ed and Lorraine Warren, who were already well-known demonologists. With the permission of the Catholic Church, the Warrens and several priests conducted what they called “four minor rites of exorcism” over several days. During one of these rites, Johnson allegedly issued a challenge to the demon: enter him instead of the boy. Witnesses claimed the transfer occurred, and Johnson’s behavior reportedly changed soon after.

The Devil Made Me Do It at a Glance

Key Insights

• The film dramatizes the first US court case where a defendant used demonic possession as a legal defense.
• The real trial resulted in a manslaughter conviction; the ‘devil made me do it’ defense was not legally accepted.
• The movie takes significant liberties with the timeline and events for horror effect.
• Streaming availability varies by region; currently on Netflix in many territories but not all.
• A dedicated documentary (e.g., ‘The Devil Made Me Do It’ by Discovery+) covers the actual investigation.

Key Facts

What is ‘The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It’ movie about?

The 2021 film, the third in the main *Conjuring* series, shifts focus from a haunted house to an investigative thriller. Directed by Michael Chaves, the movie stars Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga as Ed and Lorraine Warren. Rather than recounting the trial directly, the screenplay builds a narrative around a curse that the Warrens must unravel.

In the film, the Warrens investigate the murder of Alan Bono and argue that Johnson was not acting of his own free will. The plot introduces fictional elements, including a satanic artifact and a series of occult-related deaths, to create a more traditional horror arc. The real-life elements that appear in the movie include David’s exorcism, Johnson’s challenge to the demon, the stabbing of Bono, and the trial itself.

The film was released on June 4, 2021, and grossed over $206 million worldwide, according to Wikipedia.

Where can I watch ‘The Devil Made Me Do It’?

Streaming availability for *The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It* depends on your region and current licensing agreements. As of the latest data, the film is available on Netflix in many countries, but not all. In the United States, it has been available on HBO Max (now Max) and is also offered for rental or purchase on platforms like Amazon Prime Video.

You can check current availability on Netflix to see if it is streaming in your region. Other services like IMDb also provide links to authorized streaming and rental options.

For those interested in the 1983 television movie *The Demon Murder Case*, which stars Kevin Bacon as Johnson, availability is more limited. It occasionally appears on YouTube or Tubi, but is not currently available on major streaming services.

Is there a documentary or book about the case?

Several media adaptations explore the real events behind the Johnson case. The most notable book is The Devil in Connecticut, published in 1983 by Gerald Brittle. It is considered the official account from the perspective of the Warrens and the Glatzel family. The book details the initial haunting, the exorcism, the alleged possession transfer, and the trial. It served as a primary source for the 2021 film.

Regarding documentaries, the landscape is less clear. A documentary titled *The Devil Made Me Do It* aired on Discovery+ in 2022, featuring interviews with investigators and family members. However, searches have not confirmed a dedicated, feature-length documentary specifically tied to *The Conjuring 3* on major streaming services like Netflix or HBO as of 2026. A YouTube video titled “The Devil Made Me Do It: The Trial of Arne Johnson” (runtime ~30 minutes) recaps the trial using transcripts, but it is a fan or analysis-style video rather than a formal documentary.

How does the case connect to The Conjuring franchise and The Conjuring 4?

The Johnson case is the central subject of *The Conjuring 3*, making it a direct part of the main franchise narrative. Unlike the first two films, which focused on haunted locations, the third film expanded the scope to include a criminal trial and a curse investigation.

As for *The Conjuring 4*, there is no confirmed connection to the “Devil Made Me Do It” case. The fourth film in the main series is expected to explore another case from the Warrens’ files, but details remain unannounced. The Johnson case itself is considered resolved within the film universe, and no sequel setup directly ties back to it. For more on the broader franchise, see The Thin Blue Line – 1988 Documentary and Murder Case.

Timeline of Real Events

1. 1970s-1980: Debbie Glatzel experiences alleged possession; Warrens become involved.
2. February 16, 1981: Alan Bono murdered by Arne Cheyenne Johnson.
3. October 1981: Trial begins; ‘demonic possession’ defense introduced.
4. November 24, 1981: Johnson found guilty of manslaughter.
5. 2019: Announcement of *The Conjuring 3* based on the case.
6. June 4, 2021: *The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It* released.
7. 2022: Documentary ‘The Devil Made Me Do It’ (Discovery+) aired.

Fact vs Fiction: What We Know and What Remains Unclear

Context and Analysis

The “Devil Made Me Do It” case holds a unique place in American legal history. It is the only murder case in the United States where an attempted “demonic possession” defense reached trial. Judge Robert Callahan barred the defense as unprovable, effectively limiting the jury to consider standard arguments like self-defense. The trial lasted several weeks, and the jury deliberated for over three days before convicting Johnson of first-degree manslaughter.

Culturally, the case fueled public fascination with Ed and Lorraine Warren, who continued to investigate paranormal claims until their deaths (Ed in 2006, Lorraine in 2019). The trial also generated the enduring nickname “The Devil Made Me Do It,” which has been cited in law reviews discussing the viability of supernatural defenses. The Vermont Law Review and the University of Virginia Law Archives provide deeper legal analysis of the case.

Sources and Quotes

“I am not responsible for the death of Alan Bono. The devil made me do it.”

Alleged statement by Arne Cheyenne Johnson (reported in court) – News reports from 1981

“This is the first time in the history of the United States that a claim of demonic possession has been used as a defense in a murder trial.”

Ed Warren (often cited in media) – Interviews around the trial

What to Explore Next

The Johnson case continues to generate interest across multiple media. For those who want to go deeper, the documentary *The Devil Made Me Do It* on Discovery+ offers interviews with key figures. The book *The Devil in Connecticut* by Gerald Brittle provides the full account that inspired the film. As for future franchise entries, follow announcements for The Conjuring 4 to see if it ties back to this or other Warren cases. For a similar exploration of true crime and documentary filmmaking, see Tell Me Who I Am – True Story Netflix Documentary.

Frequently Asked Questions