Deliver Us From Evil, the latest in a string of Hollywood projects inspired by belief in the demonic, is based on the experiences of a former police officer-turned-demonologist who says everyone born automatically becomes involved in a spiritual battle, whether or not they believe in God. Former New York Police Department Sergeant Ralph Sarchie argues in a behind-the-scenes video on how his work inspired Deliver Us From Evil.
Deliver Us From Evil, starring Eric Bana as Sarchie, and co-starring Olivia Mann, is based on a 2001 book the former NYPD officer wrote with Lisa Collier Cool titled Beware the Night. In Beware the Night, Sarchie "discloses for the first time his investigation into incredible true crimes (and) inhuman evil that were never explained, solved, or understood except by Sarchie and his partner," according to the publisher.
Sarchie, a Roman Catholic, insists that his spiritual work is not to entertain people, but to help people. He says in the video, however, that Deliver Us From Evil might scare some people but that "it should be enjoyed."
"There are messages inside this movie," he says.
Near the end of the 15-minute video featurette, Sarchie insists, "It does not matter if you believe or not. You don't have to believe in God. You don't have to believe in the devil. It doesn't withdraw you from this battle. You're involved in it. You were born into this world. No, you probably didn't ask to be born, but you're here. You need to make a choice. You need to pick a side."
The former cop suggests that the devil would be upset if any moviegoers who watch Deliver Us From Evil become convinced of his Christian beliefs and "turn back to God."
"The devil hates that s***," he says.
According to movie review website Rotten Tomatoes, audiences are highly anticipating Deliver Us From Evil's July 2 release, which is not surprising considering Hollywood's recent successes in its exploration of the demonic. Deliver Us From Evil comes on the heels of films like Paranormal Activity: The Marked Ones and The Conjuring, two of the top-grossing horror films of all time, and precedes titles like Paranormal Activity 5 and Jessabelle. A 2013 YouGov survey revealed that at least half of all Americans believe in demonic possession, with that number climbing dramatically among born-again Christians, at 72 percent.
The film is rated R for bloody violence, grisly images, terror throughout, and adult language, according the MPAA.
