Verbal arguments, arson, claims of demonic possession, death, exorcism, murder, incarceration, a kid screaming, physical assaults, murder suspect mugshot, stabbing, and a vision of a dead man.
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Help others in need. Teens can consider careers such as defense attorney, journalist, and police detective.
Positive Role Models
some
Mike Allen is a veteran radio news director who discusses how reporters must do a deep dive into the facts that comprise a story. Chris McKinnell is a paranormal investigator and exorcism expert who explains the concept of demonic possession. Glenn Cooper is an experienced police detective who describes law enforcement methods used to apprehend a possible suspect in a murder case.
Diverse Representations
very little
Primarily White kids, teens, and young and older adults, including a demonologist, psychic, and priest. Representations include Ed and Lorraine Warren, a White married couple who are a self-described demonologist and psychic, respectively; White defense attorney Martin Minnella sets out to prove the innocence of a White client charged with murder; and Father Maximos is a Russian Orthodox White priest and expert on exorcism.
Parents need to know that The Devil on Trial is a documentary about a kid reportedly possessed by the devil and the demonic behavior's connection to a criminal case. References and images include verbal arguments, arson, claims of demonic possession, death, exorcism, murder, incarceration, physical assaults, stabbing, glasses of wine, bottles of alcohol, drunken behavior, and sleeping pills. Language includes swear words "bastard," "goddamn," "hell," "f--k," "f--king bitch," "f--king c--ksucker," "f--k off," "s--t," "s--tless," and the slur terms "crackpots," "douche bag," "fat d--k," "Holy Roller," "idiot," "insane," "nuts," and "pork chop." Helping others in need is the documentary's primary premise. To stay in the loop on more movies like this, you can sign up for weekly Family Movie Night emails.
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What's the Story?
THE DEVIL ON TRIAL is the true story about the alleged demonic possession acts by 11-year-old David Glatzel. The behavior is also linked to a U.S. murder case during the 1980s. With firsthand interviews and archival footage, photos, recordings, and reenactments, the film shows how the Glatzel family hopes to rid David's demons through a clergy-led exorcism and also get guidance from a pair of ghost hunters. The demonic entity also takes center stage in a related murder case involving the proposal of paranormal conduct as a legal defense plea in a murder case.
Director Christopher Holt's haunting documentary about the role of spiritual demons in the lives of people is worth a watch. In The Devil on Trial, 11-year-old David Glatzel from a self-described "normal" home confesses to being "possessed by the devil." His behavior, however, steadily draws a nightmarish wedge between family and friends who want to help him escape the ordeal of spewing vulgarities and battles with beasts. "I stayed up in the dark with my eyes open most of the night," he reveals, and his mom Judy often yells to the spirit, "Get out of my son!" The Devil on Trial is bound to unleash further debates and discussions about the topic of the world of the unknown.
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by
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Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
By Sabrina McFarland
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based on child development research. How do we rate?
