The Devil Inside (film)

The Devil Inside is a 2012 American found footage supernatural horror film directed by William Brent Bell. The film follows Isabella Rossi as she investigates the circumstances surrounding her mother, Maria Rossi, who murdered three priests during an exorcism in 1989 and has been institutionalized in a mental hospital in Italy ever since.

Isabella, accompanied by two documentary filmmakers, Michael and Ben, travels to the Centrino Hospital for the Criminally Insane in Italy to uncover the truth about her mother's possession and potentially help her. There, they encounter Father Benavides and Father Xavier, two unorthodox priests who perform exorcisms. Isabella becomes involved in the exorcisms they conduct, witnessing disturbing events and questioning the boundaries of faith and sanity.

The film is presented as found footage, supposedly recovered recordings made by Michael and Ben as they documented Isabella's journey. The narrative unfolds through their camera lenses, capturing the escalating intensity of the exorcisms and the unsettling behavior of Maria and those around her.

The Devil Inside was widely criticized for its abrupt and unresolved ending, which left many viewers dissatisfied. It also received negative reviews for its reliance on jump scares and its overall lack of narrative coherence. Despite the negative critical reception, the film was a box office success, grossing significantly more than its production budget.