The Conjuring 3: Netflix tells the true story in a terrifying documentary

In 1981, 18-year-old Arne Cheyenne Johnson stabbed to death his landlord, 40-year-old Alan Bono, in Connecticut, USA. At first glance, it’s a sort of accounts like many others. But Arne Cheyenne Johnson claims he was possessed by the devil. His version doesn’t change one iota until the court becomes the first defendant to plead demonic possession as his line of defense.

If this story sounds familiar, it does. The case is not very well known in France, but it was recently the subject of a film adaptation, the third part of the Conjuring saga, which was released in 2020. The documentary Le Diable pour alibi collects the testimony of the first person concerned and digs deeper. This paranormal story that hides more secrets than he imagined.

In my opinion true crimes and other somewhat gloomy documentaries, the Netflix platform is a champion. This new film is very well shot, combining both archival footage and exclusive interviews. Formally everything is there. A shock asset? Exclusive audio of 11-year-old David Glatzel being possessed by the devil – this is when a spirit is said to have taken over Arne Cheyenne Johnson’s body.

The problem is in the substance. The Devil for an Alibi combines the different stories of the Glazel family and Arne Cheyenne Johnson without any contradiction. As if the audience had to take this story at its word. The famous audio recording is quite impressive, but there is no proof of its authenticity.

It’s only in the last ten minutes that the documentary gets really interesting because it raises some real issues. The first was the participation of the famous couple Ed and Lorraine Warren – heroes of Hollywood films. One of Glazel’s children claims that their parents were deceived by “experts”. The latter would take advantage of the media coverage of the case to make money off their backs. I’m not joking.

The second main finding concerns the mother of the family. One of the children explains that he hid Sominex – sleeping pills – in the food. This medication has serious health effects such as weight gain and hallucinations. Thus, stories of demonic possessions take on a whole new dimension.

At the end of the documentary we have the feeling that an essential point has been missed. If the paranormal story is more marketable, the possible involvement of the mother in this drama and the manipulation of the Warren couple are elements that deserve special attention. We walk away from The Devil as a disappointing alibi, wanting to know more about the dark side of this (almost) normal family.

The Devil for Alibi is available on Netflix.