10 Disturbing Possessions And Exorcisms That Really Happened

More horrific than anything you've seen in the movies.

Exorcism Emily Rose
Screen Gems

We all saw Linda Blair spin her head, speak like an old man who had smoked one too many cigarettes, and bathe two priests in Nickelodeon vomit, but possessions and exorcisms are ancient and modern occurrences that go beyond anything depicted by Hollywood.

Although it’s easy to regard possessed victims as raving lunatics who were either mentally ill or attention hungry, many of history’s most famous cases involved sufferers who truly believed Satan was staining their soul and trying to drag them to Hell. Not only that, but they showed symptoms of possession more horrific than anything seen in the movies such as enjoying the taste of their urine while their bodies weighed as much as concrete.

However, while the majority of horror movies end with valiant priests banishing Lucifer back to Hell, some of reality’s most disturbing exorcisms failed and ended tragically. And sometimes houses were possessed rather than people…

10. Julia

Exorcism Emily Rose
Lakeshore Entertainment

Most instances of possession and hauntings are spearheaded by priests, clairvoyants, and TV investigators who are all too quick and happy to exclaim that the wind is proof of paranormal activity, but the exorcism of subject Julia was recorded by a board-certified psychiatrist named Richard Gallagher.

Having confessed to being involved with satanic cults, the middle-aged, Caucasian Julia feared that Lucifer or one of his minions was attacking her. Under the observation of Dr. Gallagher and his A-team of clergymen, nuns, and a mental health expert, the frightened woman endured trances where she unknowingly spoke Latin in a hoarse or high voice, insulted religion, and made objects fly off the shelves.

Her request for a Roman Catholic exorcism was granted and conducted in June. Gallagher noted how the room went from being extremely cold to unbearably hot as his possessed patient mimicked growls and other animalistic noises while prayers were recited. Exhibiting unbelievable strength, Julia broke free of the nuns holding her down with all their might, and she levitated half a foot off the ground for 30-minutes.

Although the exorcism initially proved helpful, Dr. Gallagher’s final comment suggested that Julia was still possessed and would require more help from the church.

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