Quartile rating: 6/10 · 1 rating
Explore the first – and only – time “demonic possession” has officially been used as a defense in a U.S. murder trial. Including firsthand accounts of alleged devil possession and a shocking murder, this extraordinary story forces reflection on our fear of the unknown.
The Devil on Trial covers genuinely singular territory — the only U.S. murder trial where demonic possession was formally entered as a legal defense, the Arne Cheyenne Johnson case. Its novelty is high because the subject matter is historically unique and the documentary weaves firsthand family accounts with archival footage and courtroom drama in a way that feels distinct. However, the cinematography is fairly standard Netflix documentary fare with talking-head interviews and amateur footage stitched together without particular visual ambition. The acting/presentation from interview subjects is uneven — some compelling, some stiff or rehearsed-feeling. The plot holds interest but struggles to fully interrogate the deeper questions it raises about religion, law, and mental health, leaving things somewhat surface-level. The ending is serviceable but doesn't land with the weight the story deserves, feeling slightly anticlimactic given the extraordinary premise.