Uncovering the Truth: Is 'Deliver Us From Evil' a True Story?
Deliver Us From Evil explores the chilling story of a demonologist and NYPD cop, portrayed by Eric Bana Unveiling a haunting tale, this article delves into the reality behind the character Ralph Sarchie, while questioning the authenticity of Father Medoza and the overall truthfulness of the film
The Big Picture
"Deliver Us From Evil" is inspired by the real-life accounts of NYPD sergeant Richie Sarchie, but the majority of the storyline is fictional.
Director Scott Derrickson skillfully weaves together Sarchie's authentic experiences with supernatural cases and unrelated incidents, resulting in an engaging and largely fictional storyline. In the film, the character of Sarchie remains true to his real-life persona, diligently serving as a police officer and demonologist, driven by his unwavering commitment to eradicate demonic forces.
2014's Deliver Us From Evil creatively draws from the "actual accounts of an NYPD sergeant" rather than simply being "based on" them. Although the movie includes the genuine presence and expertise of real-life NYPD sergeant and demonologist Richie Sarchie (portrayed by Eric Bana), the majority of the story is fictional. The film not only takes inspiration from Sarchie himself but also his non-fiction book, Beware the Night, which chronicles the disturbing details of his encounters with the paranormal during his career. Director Scott Derrickson truly stretches the boundaries of the "based on a true story" concept by incorporating elements from Sarchie's real-life supernatural experiences into the mostly fictional film. Blending captivating elements from unrelated cases, the plot of the film is both fabricated and enthralling, demonstrating Derrickson's skill as a storyteller.
Deliver Us From Evil follows Sarchie's spiritual journey as he investigates seemingly unrelated incidents, each more bizarre than the last. As the film progresses, Sarchie gradually connects the dots and uncovers the demonic origins behind these cases. The climax of the movie features a gripping and chaotic exorcism scene, freeing the culprit from the clutches of the demon, and leading Sarchie to confront his own sins and embrace his faith once more. However, by the conclusion of the film, we are left questioning: which parts of this story were grounded in reality?
Deliver Us from Evil
Ralph Sarchie, an officer with the New York police, is on the case of a string of crimes. Teaming up with a non-traditional priest who is well-versed in the rituals of exorcism, they strive to battle against the demonic possessions that are plaguing their city.
Release Date: July 2, 2014
Director: Scott Derrickson
Cast: Eric Bana, Edgar Ramirez, Olivia Munn, Chris Coy, Dorian Missick, Sean Harris
Main Genre: Action
Genres: Action, Crime, Horror, Thriller
Writers: Scott Derrickson, Paul Harris Boardman, Ralph Sarchie, Lisa Collier Cool
Who Is Ralph Sarchie From 'Deliver Us From Evil'?
Deliver Us From Evil remains true to Sarchie's identity as an NYPD Special Ops sergeant who served in the 46th precinct in the South Bronx for nearly two decades before retiring in 2004. Although not initially religiously devout, Sarchie's interest in Christianity grew after his marriage, leading him to delve into the study of demonology. While he balanced his duties as a police officer and a demonologist to some extent, it was during his retirement that he fully dedicated himself to what he refers to as "The Work" in his book. Describing himself as a committed Christian, Sarchie's mission revolves around combating the Devil and his demons, a philosophy evident in both his police work and exorcism endeavors.
As a demonologist, Sarchie claims to have conducted 25 exorcisms and "hundreds" of house exorcisms. Although the exact number was confirmed in a 2014 interview with USA Today and may have increased since, Sarchie maintains strict confidentiality, opting not to share the tapes of these exorcisms. His dedication to his spiritual calling is emphasized in his book, highlighting that he has never sought payment for his efforts. While Sarchie approached his sergeant duties with strength and a practical mindset, he adopted a skeptical stance towards parapsychologists, mocking their reliance on cameras and gauss meters rather than holy water and relics in his spiritual line of work.
Is Father Medoza a Real Person in 'Deliver Us From Evil?'
The film's most authentic and true-to-life detail is the character of Sarchie. Derrickson, in an interview with Complex, reveals that he refused to proceed with Deliver Us From Evil unless Sarchie gave his approval. While the story blended fact and fiction, Sarchie's character and essence were vital for Derrickson. According to Derrickson, "It’s the real Ralph Sarchie, how he thinks, how he talks, what he does, how he’s changed as a person as a result of the stuff he does… Who he is and what matters to him as a copy and demonologist, which is what he describes himself as, he felt that I got a lot of it right." Sarchie himself spoke to Our website about his role on set, ensuring the portrayal of his beliefs was accurate and that all police procedures were followed.
Image Via Screen Gems
When it comes to real individuals, Father Mendoza (played by Edgar Ramirez) in Deliver Us From Evil is an intriguing and unconventional priest. However, he is not based on just one person, but rather a combination of two religious figures: Bishop Robert McKenna and Father Malachi Martin, as mentioned in his book on Screenrant. Father Mendoza plays a crucial role in helping Sarchie understand the spiritual and demonic forces at work in his investigation. Initially introduced as the priest for Jane Crenna's family (portrayed by Olivia Horton), a woman who displayed signs of possession after throwing her child into a moat surrounding a lion enclosure, Father Mendoza enlightens Sarchie about various types of evil and the intricacies of an exorcism. This interaction sparks Sarchie's growing fascination with demonology.
Father Mendoza drew inspiration from two notable figures who served as mentors to Sarchie. One of them was Robert Mckenna, a bishop and exorcist who gained recognition for his involvement in the cases portrayed in the 1991 film, The Haunted. Mckenna collaborated closely with renowned demonologists, including Ed and Lorraine Warren, who were famous for their investigations documented in The Conjuring and The Amityville Horror. Another influential figure was Father Malachi Martin, an accomplished priest, exorcist, writer, biblical archaeologist, paleographer, and professor. Notably, Martin authored the book Hostage to the Devil: The Possession and Exorcism of Five Living Americans, where he meticulously detailed the exorcisms he conducted and assisted in.
How Much of 'Deliver Us From Evil' Is True?
Image via Screen Gems
The film presents various elements from separate and unrelated cases, which are cleverly woven together to form a larger, fictitious case. One of the cases described in Sarchie's book (via The Week) is titled "The Halloween Horror" and involves a mother who hears her deceased father's voice and eerie sounds coming from the basement. These details are also incorporated into the Alberghetti family's case in Belmont, where the first body is discovered. Moreover, Sarchi had encountered a case where the victim's forehead splits open during an exorcism, mirroring the more exaggerated injury in antagonist Mick Santino's (Sean Harris) head during the intense final exorcism depicted in the film. These specific details are skillfully extracted from Sarchie's cases and subtly woven into the storyline. However, it is essential to note that the entire premise of the case, including its interconnectedness, is fictional.
"Intriguingly, Sarchie's intuition, dubbed his 'Radar,' accurately detected the presence of malevolence in close proximity. In the movie adaptation, Sarchie's 'Radar' enabled him to discern calls that promised more excitement and peril, much to the delight of his adrenaline-seeking partner, Butler (portrayed by Joel McHale). In his book, Sarchie reveals that he experienced intense headaches in his temple whenever he spiritually sensed an evil entity nearby. Additionally, several other details were altered: Sarchie did not commit a cold-blooded murder of a child molester, his daughter's stuffed owl was not possessed, and Sarchie had a connection to the renowned Warrens, as evidenced in clips from a brief online documentary about him. During his studies in demonology, Sarchie reached out to Lorraine Warren to express his admiration and discovered that one of her colleagues resided just two blocks away. Interpreting this as a spiritual sign, Sarchie teamed up with Joe Forrester and continued their joint spiritual endeavors."
"The film Deliver Us From Evil is currently available for streaming on Netflix."
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