Authors Joseph Laycock and Eric Harrelson discuss with host Aaron Sagers their new book The Exorcist Effect: Horror, Religion, and Demonic Belief on the 50th anniversary of the iconic film that changed the horror genre, and impacted belief in demons and possession. On Dec. 26, 1973, The Exorcist — directed by William Friedkin, based on the book by William Peter Blatty — debuted in theaters. Released with low expectations, it became a box office hit, and radically changed the horror genre as serious and realistic. But it also led to a wave of reports of vomiting in theaters, people claiming they themselves were possessed by demons and it became a great recruitment tool for the Catholic Church, and career launch for Ed and Lorraine Warren. In the new book The Exorcist Effect: Horror, Religion, and Demonic Belief, authors Joseph Laycock and Eric Harrelson explore the ongoing relationship between horror movies and Western religious culture, with a focus on the period from 1968 to the modern day through the lens of The Exorcist — as well as Rosemary's Baby, and The Omen — widely believed to be based on a true story. The book outlines a cycle in which religious beliefs and practices become the basis of films — including 2013's The Conjuring — that in turn inspire religious beliefs, practices, and experiences in response. Drawing on psychology, sociology, and folklore studies, the authors theorize how film informs religious experience and shapes religious culture. _______________________________________________________________ Talking Strange Paranormal Podcast with Aaron Sagers is a weekly paranormal pop culture show featuring celebrity and author interviews, with a weekly "Small Talk" mini-sode with reader submitted letters and spooky tales. Sagers is a paranormal journalist and researcher who appears as host of 28 Days Haunted on Netflix, and on Paranormal Caught On Camera on Travel Channel/Discovery+, and Talking Strange is part of the Den of Geek Network. If you like Talking Strange, please subscribe, leave a nice review, and share with your friends. The Talking Strange Paranormal Podcast is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, and wherever you check out spooky content. For more paranormal pop culture, head to Den of Geek, and follow @TalkStrangePod on Twitter. Email us with episode ideas, and guest suggestions, or for a chance to have your letter read on a future episode: TalkingStrange@DenOfGeek.com Follow Host Aaron Sagers: Twitter.com/aaronsagers Instagram.com/aaronsagers Facebook.com/AaronSagersPage tiktok.com/@aaronsagers Patreon.com/aaronsagers (For Q&As, livestreams, cocktail classes, and movie watches) Until Next Time: Be Kind. Stay Spooky. Keep It Weird. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices