Father Carlos Martins, a Catholic priest who performs exorcisms, sat down with Fox News Digital ahead of Halloween to discuss why he believes Hollywood’s portrayals of demonic possession miss the most terrifying element: the devil’s mental and emotional influence.
Hollywood’s focus on spectacle
Martins acknowledges that movies and TV shows often get the visual aspects right—chairs being thrown, people screaming, bodies levitating. He says those scenes capture the devil’s power but fail to convey the deeper rage, disgust for humanity, and the strategic knowledge the devil allegedly possesses.
“The demonic mind”
“The thing that Hollywood doesn’t pick up well is the demonic mind,” Martins told the outlet. He explained that the devil, in his view, observes a person’s entire life, knows their soft spots, and presses exactly where it will cause the most damage. This, he argues, is the true danger, not the dramatic head‑spinning or levitation.
A chilling anecdote
Martins recounted an episode in which a person undergoing an exorcism threatened to bomb his flight the next day. “Why are you here? You’re not supposed to be here. I’m going to bomb your flight tomorrow,” the possessed individual allegedly said. Martins changed his own travel plans, not because of the threat, but because the session was so productive that he stayed for additional appointments. When he returned the following day, the individual was surprised to see him, suggesting the devil’s knowledge of the original flight did not extend to the priest’s changed itinerary.
Spiritual preparation over force
Martins cautioned against confronting the devil without proper spiritual preparation, describing the devil as an “ancient serpent” whose intelligence far exceeds human reasoning. He emphasized that exorcisms are generally calm, prayer‑centered processes focused on reconciliation with Christ, not theatrical battles of will. “I never yell at the devil. I’ve never heard of an exorcist doing that,” he said.
Faith and family
When asked about Halloween, Martins said he supports children dressing up and trick‑or‑treating, provided costumes do not glorify evil or demonic imagery. “Would I allow my children to go trick‑or‑treating? Yes,” he affirmed. “I would never let them go dressed as something sordid, something evil, something devilish or demonic.” Co‑host Ryan Bethea echoed the sentiment, noting that family‑friendly traditions are fine while warning against occult practices such as Ouija boards, astrology, and tarot cards.
Podcast and upcoming season
The discussion coincided with the launch of the third season of “The Exorcist Files,” a podcast that dramatizes real‑life exorcism cases. New episodes will roll out over the next two months, featuring complex stories that span generations and involve multiple family members. Bethea hopes the show will encourage listeners to examine unresolved trauma, mental‑health concerns, and personal struggles that may make individuals vulnerable to spiritual attack.
Conclusion
While Hollywood continues to deliver visual thrills, Father Martins insists the true battle lies in understanding the devil’s psychological tactics and protecting believers through prayer, faith, and wise parental guidance.
Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
