10 True Ghost Stories That Inspired Horror Films

There's plenty of films on real-life exorcisms that populate the world of film - though none more tragic than the tale of Anneliese Michel, a German woman appropriated for Hollywood in the form of Emily Rose.

Tragically subjected to more than 67 exorcisms in a year, Michel was said to have suffered from a range of mental health issues, that went untreated in the face of her apparent possession. On the other hand - priests claimed the young girl to be inhabited by six demons, including Cain, Hitler, Nero, Judas, Belial and the devil himself - Lucifer.

The film follows the trial of those involved in treating her, subjecting her parents and the two Catholic priests who performed the rites to intense scrutiny over their actions. Their real life counterparts were jailed for negligence in the case of Michel, with the Catholic Church changing its stance on the case from demonic possession to ignored mental health problems - essentially pieing the blame off in the process and washing their hands of the misdeeds committed under their name.

Obviously, it's much harder to cite an exorcism was the correct course of action when it fails, as demonic possession itself has to be inherently proven along the way.

Utilising flashbacks to examine the case of Emily Rose, the film captures Michel's descent into madness, though whether it's induced by paranormal beings or a psychotic break we'll never know. Michel became intolerant of the religious paraphernalia in her strictly Catholic lifestyle, heard voices, and suffered from depression and suicidal thoughts, and no medication could help her.