One thing I will say about this movie. It has the power to frighten the viewer by making use of several jump scenes. It was nice too to see the Trinity mentioned (a spirit knocks three times at night to disturb a family in mockery of the Trinity), baptism, and the name of Christ is invoked at an exorcism. Throughout most of the movie, once the spirits make their presence known, a family is continually tormented. This film is presumably based on a true story and it takes place in 1971 when a family moves into their new home.

Soon little disturbances begin such as the dog dying unexpectedly and a foul odor being omitted in the house. Roger and Carolyn Perron (Ron Livingston and Lili Taylor) and their four daughters soon find that normal is not what they can expect from their new home. The foul oder is just the beginning. Next, one of the four daughter’s feet are grabbed while she is sleeping and at first she blames her sister for it but soon discovers it is not her sister at all. Doors begin to slam and before long the father calls on demonologists Ed and Lorraine Warren (Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga) for their help. They are experts on the supernatural and they are inclined to involve the Catholic Church and to seek a priest to help when they learn the secrets of the house and just how severe the problem is.

As the movie hits a climax a priest is not available and Ed Warren himself is left to exorcise the terrible spirit that would destroy an entire family. This film, due to the strong supernatural and demonic elements, not to mention the violence and language, is not eligible to receive our Dove Seal.