- In 1949, catholic
priests of
the jesuit order from the
archdiocese of St. Louis
performed the rites of exorcism
on a young boy possessed by the
devil.
The exorcisms took place in a
house
in a suburban neighborhood
of St. Louis, Missouri.
The case inspired a bestselling
book
and a blockbuster film.
But what happened inside that
house,
and what happened after
has never been told.
Until now.
- Almighty everlasting god,
giver of all good things
and bountiful bestower of all
graces,
we humbly beg you to endow us
with the power of your blessing.
May it also please you to bless,
by the work of the holy spirit,
this stole made ready for your
work.
Kindly let the grace
of your holy mysteries
descend on your servants,
that they may appear holy,
pure, and blameless in your
presence,
and may be aided by your mercy,
through Christ our lord.
- Amen.
- Our help is in the name of the
lord.
- Who made heaven and earth.
- The lord be with you.
- May he also be with you.
Do you hear that?
- Don't listen.
- Remember me, halloran?
- Remember me.
- Halloran.
Halloran!
K driving in your fast car,
looking like a big shot
k boy you gave 'em hell tonight
k but all your trophies
still can't make you smile
k living the express Lane,
sipping on the mundane
k boy you make it look like fun
k but when the music
stops will where you run
k but you're on your way
k you wanted this, you
saved, you're on your way
k I wish you could have stayed
but there was nothing left
k to give or take
k you're in the fast Lane now
and you gave
k hey
k hey
k hey
k hey
k hey
k hey k
- what are you doing here,
Gordon?
- Luke told me you were
coming to get the keys.
- Where's Luke?
- Inside.
I told him I wanted to talk to
you first.
- My mind's made up.
I want the house.
- Well, that's not your decision
to make.
The house belongs to the family
and I've been entrusted
to finally get rid of it.
- The sign says for sale.
I already told you I can get the
loan.
- Money's not the point.
Our family doesn't live here for
a reason.
- Just because it's not good
enough for your family...
- I wouldn't let my family
live in a house that's...
- That's what?
Say it!
Haunted?
- Will you shut up?
Now listen to me.
You just get this crazy
idea about living inside
this house out of your head and
let it go.
Where you going?
- Inside my damn house.
- So, obviously i
haven't touched anything.
I got the water turned on
in case you need to use the
bathroom.
- I'm fine.
And I'm not six anymore.
- Ah, these god damn kids.
- That's what happens when
nobody
lives in a house for 50 years.
- So, I talked to aunt Margaret.
She didn't say anything.
I don't think she knew who i
was.
- She's got Alzheimer's.
What do you expect?
- Yeah.
- What do you wanna do with it?
- What?
All this?
This all goes with the house,
as far as I'm concerned.
- Done.
- No. No.
You don't know when to
give this up, do you?
- Do you have any other offers?
- No, I don't.
- Come on, please.
I want this for my family.
- Come on.
Don't do this.
- Don't do what?
- Gordon doesn't think that we
can
swing the loan by ourselves.
- All I'm saying is it's a big
risk.
You never know what you're gonna
get
with a house that's old like
this.
- Well, I was looking in the
basement.
It's got good bones.
Lights work.
Hey, baby.
How's my sweet potato pie?
- So you like it?
- I love it.
- So do I.
- I guess it's settled.
- I guess so.
So listen, when I was putting
the house on the market,
I asked around about getting it
blessed.
Just in case.
Now lutherans don't do that kind
of thing,
but, I found somebody who does.
- A catholic priest?
Now you're the one that
doesn't know when to let go.
This is my life.
And Luke's.
- I've always looked out for
you,
and I'm not gonna stop now.
I mean, I introduced you to
Luke.
- And not a day goes by
that I don't thank you in my
heart.
But, you have got to stop
acting like my big cousin.
- Okay.
- Luke and I have been
under stress lately,
but I can take care of myself.
- Alright.
- Got it.
There must be a key on here
for every day of the month.
- I'll take those.
And you boys go bust some law
breakers.
- Yes, ma'am.
- Oh, Gordon.
I'm gonna stop by the hospital.
See aunt Margaret.
- Let me know if she remembers
you.
And hey...
About that thing we talked
about.
- Amy?
Margaret wasn't expecting
visitors.
Would you like to go in?
It's okay.
You won't wake her.
She's been sedated.
She had an episode this morning.
- What happened?
- She lacerated her arm.
It happens sometimes with
patients in her condition.
They become agitated and hurt
themselves,
and don't even realize
that they've done it.
It looked like she was
trying to write words.
- What words?
- Oh, nothing to be concerned
about.
She's fine now.
I'll leave you two.
- Aunt Margaret?
Do you know who I am?
Margaret?
- I have no name.
- She didn't even recognize me.
She just flipped out
and shoved some kind of
wooden heart in my hand.
It has blood on it.
- Hey, are you okay?
- Yeah.
I just hate seeing her like
that.
- I don't know why
you went over there anyway.
- I thought maybe I could get
her blessing on the house.
I thought it might make her
happy
to know someone was living in it
again.
But she...
Wasn't herself.
I don't wanna talk about it
anymore.
- What was that other thing
that you and Gordon were talking
about?
- Nothing.
I'm gonna go get some boxes,
and start to pack.
- Look, Amy.
If you're upset, maybe
now is not the best time
to be making big changes.
- Hey, will you stop acting like
Gordon?
I'm okay.
- Okay.
I'll be working late tonight.
Natural bridge road.
I probably will not be
able to answer my phone.
So...
- I said I'm okay.
I'll see you when you get off
your shift.
I love you.
- Love you too.
- First up in this afternoon's
broadcast,
granite city police are
searching for a driver
in a fatal hit and run accident
that occurred near terminal
Avenue.
Police say the incident took
place
around 3:30 this afternoon,
leaving a female pedestrian
dead.
Witnesses say a white minivan
was travelling at excessive
speed
when it veered onto the
meridian,
striking the woman before
speeding off.
Right now, police are...
Metro St. Louis can expect
showers in the late afternoon
and early evening,
with increased activity
overnight
and into the early morning
hours.
Make sure you take an umbrella
with you when you go...
- Pet clinics throughout the
area
are offering fifty percent off
the service
to owners who bring their cats
or dogs
in this weekend.
No word on how the pets
feel about the offer.
The St. Louis county's clerk's
office
is continuing to investigate
corruption charges
at the local firm responsible
for
providing waste service
pickup in unincorporated areas
outside the metropolitan
district.
A spokesman for a.M.I
industries,
which is responsible for
residential trash pickup
in the area,
says that the company is
cooperating fully with the
county.
The clerk's office had no
comment,
citing an ongoing investigation.
Ladies and gentlemen,
we're just receiving reports
of an officer involved shooting
which has closed parts
of natural bridge road.
Witnesses are telling our
reporters
at least one St. Louis
county officer was shot
while another was fatally
injured
when the driver of a stolen
SUV exited his vehicle
and began firing on the busy
street.
We'll keep you updated on the
condition
of the injured officer...
- Luke, when you get this call
me.
I love you.
- At this hour, natural
bridge road remains closed,
and authorities are
suggesting...
- Luke, I'm serious, damnit!
Call home now!
Faye?
Faye, it's Amy.
Is your dad home?
Can I talk to him?
Gordon?
Is Luke with you?
He was okay after his shift,
right?
Well, I tried his phone,
and I'm watching the news,
and I just say that...
- What's wrong?
- Nothing.
Nothing's wrong.
Everything's okay.
- Ladies and
gentlemen,
we're just receiving reports,
of an officer involved shooting,
which has closed parts
of natural bridge road.
Witnesses are telling our
reporters
at least one St. Louis
county officer was shot.
- We've been though this.
You can't call me every time
you get a feeling.
- I just need to know that
you're okay.
- Sweet potato, I'm always okay.
But I can't always take
calls in the field.
Sometimes I don't even
have my phone on me.
You know that.
- It was after your shift.
You should have picked up.
- You're right.
You are right.
I should have.
But you also know that if
something did happen,
I would call.
Or someone would.
Right?
- Seriously?
Stupid storm.
Hello?
Oh my god.
Damn it.
Luke?
I know I'm not supposed
to call you at work,
but I think somebody's in the
house.
- Must be at the pole.
Damn it.
We're gonna have to get that
fixed.
- Look at this.
- Damn kids tagged down here
too.
Lucky they didn't burn
the whole place down.
- No Luke.
Look at it.
This is not new.
Look at that car.
It's old.
- We'll get it painted over.
- This.
This is new.
- Okay.
I'll...
Get the locks changed tomorrow.
See about an alarm.
Okay?
Why did you come over here by
yourself?
- I just wanted to drop off some
stuff.
- You wanted to stake a claim
so Gordon couldn't say no.
You should have asked me.
- You would have said no.
- Maybe I would have helped.
I don't know why you always
try to make everything such a
secret.
- Did Gordon say something?
- He didn't have to.
I know you don't sleep.
I know you have nightmares.
- That has absolutely
nothing to do with...
With our house.
- Your parents?
- No.
- That why Gordon's so
protective of you?
He hasn't said anything.
I can just tell.
He's looking out for you.
- When I was a kid,
I used to hear voices.
Telling me to come here.
To the house.
- What kind of voices?
- It was just stupid kid stuff.
- This one?
Clear.
You never told me...
These voices.
- I didn't want you thinking i
was crazy.
Or Gordon.
- Why would I think Gordon's
crazy?
- He used to hear them too.
- No signs of forced entry.
Anybody else in your
family hear these voices?
- Aunt Margaret.
But I don't think that's
why she closed the house.
I think she was hiding
something.
- What?
- I don't know.
But I'm not going to let it
chase me out of our house.
- It's not our house yet.
You lost them under here?
- Yeah.
- Bad day to lock your keys in
the car.
- Can you just open it, Gordon?
- Let me get my slimjim.
- Hey.
It happens all the time.
They're probably just
locked inside the car.
- I told you I locked
the keys in the house.
- Okay.
- I can get you in, but you're
still
gonna need your key to start it.
- Just do it.
- Hey, I can drop you at the
apartment.
- No, you need to get back to
work.
- I can be late.
- Luke, I'm fine.
I told you I lost the keys
inside.
I was just afraid that
somebody was in the house.
I checked and their isn't,
so I'll go inside, find the
keys,
and drive myself home.
- Amy?
- I lost those inside the house.
- You're welcome.
- I'm not crazy.
Sweet potato, I know.
It happens to everyone.
See you tonight.
- Amy?
Hi, I'm father halloran.
I'm told you wanted to see me.
- Is there some place
we could talk, father?
- Of course.
Sister Mary Katherine likes
to keep it dark in here.
I think it reminds her of a
confessional.
Please.
Have a seat.
- Do you have any experiences
with ghosts?
- Ghosts?
No.
Technically, the church has no
official position on ghosts.
- But what about something
that might haunt a house?
Evil spirits?
- Well, the Bible does have
something
to say on that subject.
But evil spirits are very rare.
I'd rule out noisy plumbing
or rats in the walls first.
- I know it sounds stupid.
- No.
No.
Trust me, it's not stupid.
The real question though is,
why do you believe your house is
haunted?
- I don't.
My cousin does.
He thought that maybe
a blessing would help.
- But you don't.
- I don't believe in...
This.
- Skepticism is the
beginning and end of wisdom.
In jesuit school they
teach us logic and debate.
Not to bolster our faith, but to
test it.
- And you're gonna tell me that
all the answers are in there.
- No.
But I will tell you a wonderful
story
that was told to me by
a good friend, a rabbi.
Once, two very learned rabbi's
lived in the same town.
People came from miles around
to hear these rabbis argue.
If one rabbi said hot,
the other said cold.
If one said light, the other
said dark.
One day a man came to the town.
He went to the first rabbi
and he asked him this question.
Can you teach me the whole of
the torah
while standing on one foot?
Well, the rabbi became
very angry with the man.
He told him it was a
preposterous question,
and he threw him out of his
house.
So the man went to the second
rabbi.
He asked him the same question.
Can you teach me the whole of
the torah
while standing on one foot.
The rabbi immediately stepped
on the man's foot and said
do unto others as you would
have them do unto you.
That is the whole of the torah.
The rest is commentary.
Now go and study.
- Meaning.
- Meaning answers is simple.
Faith takes effort.
- How does this fit in?
- Where did you get that?
- My aunt Margaret.
- Margaret starke is your aunt?
- How did you know that?
- Get that out of here.
- Why?
- Take that thing and get out.
- What did it...
- I said take that and get out!
- So you're saying you scratched
yourself under the bed,
and this scratch looks like a t?
- Yeah.
The same t.
There.
- That could be a coincidence.
- Does that look like a
coincidence?
- Maybe.
Okay, let's say it is a t.
Let's say it's the same t.
What does tes stand for?
- I think they're initials.
Whoever owned the spirit talking
board.
- Spirit talking board?
Have you talked to Gordon about
this?
No.
God no.
And don't you talk to him about
it either.
He'd just love this.
- Why?
I thought you said he used
to hear the voices too.
Maybe he knows who tes is.
- I told you.
I didn't hear voices.
I imagined I heard voices.
Only a crazy person
is gonna hear voices and believe
it.
- And a sane person scratches
letters into their skin.
- I am not crazy.
- Sorry.
It's just a ghost scratching
letters into your skin
because of a spirit talking
thing...
- It's a spirit talking board.
- Whatever.
Amy, it sounds crazy.
- You think I don't know how it
sounds.
I think something...
Someone is trying to tell me
something.
- What?
- I don't know.
But I have to find out.
As crazy as that sounds,
I need to know what it is.
- And what if you don't
like what the answer is?
- What the hell are you doing
here?
- I came to see your aunt.
- How did you find her?
- Well, this is a catholic
hospital,
and I thought I could help.
Both of you.
- Get out.
- Please.
I'm terribly sorry for the way i
acted.
It's just that you surprised me,
and I did...
Your arm.
Is it bothering you?
- It doesn't hurt...
Much.
- May I?
- What?
- I think you should see
something.
- Oh my god.
- You've never seen these
before?
- No.
She's always had her arms
covered.
T-e-s.
Aunt Margaret?
- Who are you?
- I'm Amy.
I know you don't remember me,
but I need you to remember.
How did you get these
scratches on your arm?
Who did this to you?
- I don't know who you are.
I remember you.
- Calm down!
20 ccs endomorphil.
Get her.
Hold her down.
- I got her.
- I got her wrist.
- Remember me!
- It's in.
Wait outside.
- How's she doing?
- Sedated.
Resting.
- What's wrong with her?
What's wrong with me?
- I'm not a psychiatrist.
- Does this look like
i need a psychiatrist?
She said, I remember you.
How?
- I'm sorry.
I have to be going.
- You said you would help me.
- I was wrong.
- Margaret.
Elizabeth.
Starke.
M-e-s.
Aunt tillie.
T.
T-e-s.
Tille.
Elizabeth.
Starke.
- Amy?
What are you doin'?
So, who is this ghost?
- Tille Elizabeth starke.
Margaret's aunt.
My great aunt.
I think she's the one
that wanted me to find it.
I think it's her voice I'm
hearing.
- Okay, this is getting weird.
Do you really think you should
do that?
- If she's trying to
communicate,
if I'm gonna stop the
nightmares,
if we're gonna make this our
home,
I have to ask her.
- Ask her what?
- Is anyone here?
Is anybody here?
- Maybe it's stuck.
- Is anybody here?
- Did you just feel that?
- Is anybody here?
Well, I guess that's our answer.
Nobody's here.
- Did you just do that?
- No.
- Let's stop.
- Who are you?
- Amy.
Really.
Stop.
Is that you saying now?
- No, I didn't do that.
- Then what?
It's the ghost saying it doesn't
want us to know its name?
- Oh my god.
- I'm done playing games.
Put that stupid thing away.
- I swear I'm not doing it.
- I'm through.
If you wanna move into this
house,
you'd better stop playing games.
Because this is messed up.
I'm not sure I want to move here
with you.
- What's that supposed to mean?
You were all, I guess it's all
settled, in front of Gordon.
- What was I supposed to say?
You dragged me over...
- I dragged you over here?
- Yes.
- You couldn't run here
fast enough with Gordon.
- Gordon is my partner.
And he's your cousin.
I don't understand...
- So that gives him the right to
tell me
what I can and can't do?
We're not doing that.
- Then who?
Somebody's messing with us.
- How did they move the pointer?
- Magnets.
- There aren't any magnets.
- I'm a police officer!
I'm coming up!
- Luke.
Don't.
- I'm coming in.
- Luke.
You hear that, right?
- Yeah.
- Where's it coming from?
- What?
- Luke!
Luke.
Luke, unlock the door, Luke.
Luke, what's going on?
Unlock the door!
- Amy!
- Luke, hold on.
I have to go get the key.
- Amy.
- Gordon.
- Come here.
- Oh Gordon.
Oh my god.
Gordon.
- What the hell are you doing
here?
I saw your car out front.
Where's Luke?
- Luke.
Luke!
Oh god.
Luke.
Luke!
Luke.
Luke, baby, look at me.
Look at me.
Oh my god.
The report's gonna say that
Luke slipped and hit his head.
That is was an accident.
Nobody's gonna think that you
did it.
- I didn't do it.
- Amy?
He didn't do that to himself.
You two are the only ones there.
You said it yourself,
you two have been under a lot of
stress,
what with the whole house thing.
- It has nothing to do with the
house.
It has to do with our family.
Yours and mine.
- I don't know what you're
talking about.
- You knew about the
exorcism in that house.
That uncle Robbie when he was a
kid,
he was possessed.
That's why aunt Margaret closed
the house
for 50 years.
That's why you sent me to that
priest.
You heard those voices when we
were kids,
same as me.
You knew.
- Those voices weren't real.
Ghosts aren't real.
- Is this real enough for you?
It's because of our family.
- Jesus Christ, Amy.
Our family is not crazy!
- That's what this is about.
You're afraid that it's in us,
and that you could pass it down
to faye.
- Goddamnit, you leave
my daughter out of this!
This is your fault.
I told you to leave that house
be.
- It's not in the house, Gordon.
It's in us!
We have to stop this.
Margaret gave me the pointer.
She knows what's going on.
Maybe she was trying to tell us
how to get it to go away.
Maybe she could help us get rid
of it.
- Maybe she's as crazy as you
are!
- I have to talk to her.
I have to get her to tell
me everything she knows.
- Margaret's dead.
She died tonight in her sleep.
That's what I was coming over to
tell you.
Where you going?
- To the house.
- No, no no no no no.
You're not going...
- I have to use the board.
I have to tell whatever
is doing this to stop.
I have to make it go away.
I have to get it to leave Luke
alone.
Your fianc is lying in that
room.
I shouldn't have to tell you
what to do.
- You can't tell me what to do!
- You're right.
You're right.
I can't.
- Answers are easy.
Faith requires effort.
- You knew about the exorcism
before I even came to see you,
because you were there.
- I was a young priest.
Just out of the seminary.
I actually think father
bowdern chose me more
for my physical strength than my
liturgy.
The possessed can pose a risk to
others.
As well as to themselves.
- What happened?
- A young boy, your uncle.
He was ten years old.
He received a gift for
Christmas.
A spirit board from the maiden
aunt.
Soon after, he began suffering
from a
strange affliction.
He heard voices,
spoke in tongues,
claimed he was the devil.
His parents took him to doctors.
He just got worse.
Sores began appearing all over
his body.
They formed letters.
Words.
Finally, in desperation,
his parents contacted the
church.
An exorcism was approved.
Father bowdern was selected
to perform the rites.
He chose me to assist.
- Remember me.
- I remember.
- Remember me.
That's what Margaret said
to you in the hospital.
- That's what the boy
said to me that night.
He knew me.
- How?
The devil knows all of us.
He knows our name.
You see, a name is a very
powerful thing.
It makes a thing real.
In the liturgy, in order
to an unclean spirit,
we first must force it to reveal
its name.
- What's the devil's name?
- To hear it is madness.
To speak it is everlasting
damnation.
That board was used as a means
to summon the spirit.
But it was called by
someone who knew its name.
Tillie Elizabeth starke died
just after she gave your aunt
and her brother that board.
The possession began the night
she died.
- She was trying to communicate
with them.
What was she trying to say?
- It doesn't matter.
Do not listen to it.
- It's already speaking to me.
Help me!
- I assisted father bowdern.
I'm not an exorcist.
- There has to be some way to
stop this.
- Look, I'm not here to debate
you.
- When you were in jesuit
school,
they taught you logic and debate
to test your faith.
That night the devil tested your
faith.
And you failed.
- I'm sorry.
I can't help you.
- Then I'll help myself.
Luke?
Luke.
- I'm sorry.
- Oh my god.
What are you doing here?
- I followed you.
I may not be an exorcist,
but I'm still a priest.
- Come with me.
Luke's going to the house.
- Why?
- Because that's where the
voices
are telling him to go.
- How do you know?
- I hear them too.
Luke?
- Remember me.
- I'm gonna burn that thing.
There are kerosene cans
down in the basement.
- We will, but burning it won't
save Luke.
No. No.
It knows we're here.
It wants us to come up.
But if you want to save Luke,
we have to go up prepared.
Amy.
The possessed can be very
dangerous.
We have to secure him.
Do you understand?
An exorcism can only be
performed
under the sanction of the
church.
I don't have that sanction,
but I can perform the sacraments
and they can be very powerful.
Our help lies in the name of the
lord
who made heaven and earth.
Everlasting, almighty god,
giver of all good things
and maker of all graces,
we humbly beg you
to endow us with the
power of your blessing.
May it please you to bless,
through the intercession
of the holy spirit,
this stole made ready
for your divine work.
Let the graces of your holy
mysteries
descend upon us who use it,
so that they may be aided by
your mercy
through Christ our lord.
Amen.
- Gordon.
I know you probably
don't wanna talk to me,
but I need your help.
It's Luke.
Look, I don't want to go
into this on the phone,
but, we're at the house.
When you get this please
just come, okay?
Goodbye.
Do you hear that?
- Don't
listen.
- It's worked before.
Right?
- Don't be afraid.
We face the devil everyday.
Tonight he faces god.
- Remember me, halloran?
- Luke?
- It's not
Luke.
But I know you.
Halloran.
Oh, I know you.
Our father who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come.
Give us this day, our daily
bread,
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who
trespassed against us,
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,
and the power and the glory.
Forever and ever.
Amen.
I believe in Jesus Christ...
He descended into hell.
On the third day he rose again.
He ascended into heaven.
He is seated at the right hand
of god the father, almighty.
From thence he will come to
judge the living and the dead.
- Amy?
Amy, what's happening?
- Luke?
Oh my god.
Baby.
You're gonna lose him.
Just like your daddy.
Did you moan for him, you slut?
Did you like it when you tasted
him?
- Don't listen to it.
- Eat me, halloran!
- I command you, unclean spirit,
by the holy mysteries of the
incarnation,
passion, resurrection, and
ascension
of our lord Jesus Christ,
tell me your name.
I command you,
I who am a minister of god
despite my unworthiness, i
command you,
reveal your name.
- I have no name.
- I command you
in the name of our lord and
savior
Jesus Christ
give me your name that
you may be driven out.
He commands you,
he who flung you headlong
from the heights of heaven
into the depths of hell.
Reveal your name.
- Father.
Oh god.
Father.
- Its name.
It must reveal its name.
- What is your name?
Tell me your name!
S-h-a-i
t-a
- I have no name.
What's the matter, sweet potato?
Can't you say my name?
Oh god.
Light.
Come on.
- Little girls shouldn't play
with fire.
- Amy?
- Do you wanna know my name,
little girl?
- Amy!
- Remember me, Gordon?
How's faye?
- Amy?
You're okay, you're okay.
- Gordon.
Gordon.
- You're okay.
Yeah.
- Remember me.