The Real-Life Inspiration for “The Exorcist “

n the late 1940s, the chilling case of 14-year-old “Roland Doe,” allegedly possessed by demonic forces, shocked the public as priests documented terrifying exorcisms. While some saw these events as proof of the supernatural, others have since argued that mental illness, deception, or misinterpretation fueled the spectacle. This haunting tale inspired The Exorcist and continues to ignite fierce debates about the nature of possession and the human mind.