David Pierdomenico
None could have anticipated back in 2013 that The Conjuring would spark an entire cinematic universe. Not only has it proven that a horror universe can be successful (take notes Universal), but it also seems to have its act together more than Warner Brothers’ other franchise, the DCEU. And it all began with the paranormal investigations of husband/wife team Ed and Lorraine Warren. They began introducing technology to supernatural investigating and are considered by many to be the original “ghost hunters”.
Without their work, many would have been left on their own to deal with malevolent spirits, and we also wouldn’t have the brilliant lineup of films in the Conjuring Universe. While not all of them are based on real cases, there are many of those yet to receive the cinematic treatment. So let’s take a look at 5 of their exploits that would make brilliant film adaptations!
West Point Ghost
The field of paranormal investigation has always existed on the fringes of society. Mostly because its sole existence relies on people believing in such things. And because of this, it rarely gets recognition from “legitimate” organizations. This all changed back in 1972, when the Warrens were called to the prestigious United States Military Academy at West Point. Cadets had been reporting strange things, like items going missing and reappearing elsewhere. After walking the grounds and using her sense of clairvoyance, Lorraine Warren was able to determine that rather than a demonic or inhuman spirit, the ghost of a former cadet was responsible. He had been wrongly convicted of a crime many years earlier, and simply wanted it to be known that he was innocent. This case would make an excellent film because the spirit behind everything was far more sympathetic than is common in horror films.
(Source: “The Demonoligist” by Gerald Brittle, Chapter II)
Devil in Connecticut
This one, technically was adapted into a made-for-TV film in the early 80’s, but given its obscurity and just how fascinating the story is, we’re counting it (and in fact, there are rumors this case will be the basis of The Conjuring 3!). This case started like any other, a family in peril as demonic forces torment them and test their will and sanity. But where it gets interesting is that this case involved one of the victims committing 2nd degree murder, allegedly while in a state of demonic possession. What followed was the “Demon Murder Trial” as was labelled by the press. The exorcism/legal drama blend was previously explored in The Exorcism of Emily Rose, but there’s so much more than could be done here!
(Source: “The Devil in Connecticut” by Gerald Brittle)
Donovan Case
While the Warrens have helped many families in the throes of Demonic Oppression, this case stands out due to the sheer intensity that the demons attacked with, and for the unique event that started the haunting. When the family’s teenage daughter began using a Ouija Board, she believed that she was in contact with the spirit of a teen boy who had sadly passed. For a whole year, she fell in love with this “teen boy spirit”, and all the while it drew energy from her and her family to advance its own nefarious plan. What resulted was a family living in abject terror, and it took the Warrens all they had in order to help them. From a cinematic standpoint, this would make for a fascinating film as it could start as a romantic story, but slowly turn dark and creepy. What other film goes from Twilight to Poltergeist in under two hours?!
(Source: “The Demonologist” by Gerald Brittle, Chapters IX-X)
Smurl Haunting
Just like the Devil in Connecticut, this too was the subject of a made-for-TV film in 1991, however this story deserves the Hollywood treatment to get it out to a wider audience, and using the modern actors from the Conjuring Universe. This case created quite the media storm in the Scranton region of PA, as the Smurl family was tormented by demonic forces that would shatter mirrors, pushed someone down a flight of stairs, and even allegedly sexually assaulted one of the family members. Typically this can only be done by a demonic spirit known as an Incubus, and as Ed Warren noted, this particular demon was incredibly powerful. It remains one of the most grimly iconic cases from the Warrens’ files!
(Source: “The Haunted: One Family’s Nightmare” by Ed + Lorraine Warren with Robert Curran and Jack + Janet Smurl)
The Werewolf
Yes, you read that right, and no we don’t mean there was a real life case where a man actually turned into a wolf, as we’ve seen The Wolfman, The Howling, American Werewolf in London, or even Twilight. Instead it dealt with a British man, named Bill Ramsey, who was possessed by an animalistic spirit that made him behave in the manner of a wolf, or some other type of animal. He would growl, snarl, and even attack other people. It’s definitely one of the more unique and bizarre cases the Warrens handled, and having a “werewolf” film based on a true story would certainly make for compelling cinema.
(Source: “Werewolf: A True Story of Demonic Possession” by Ed + Lorraine Warren with Bill Ramsey and Robert David Chase)
Ed and Lorraine Warren may be gone from this world, but their spirits and legacy will truly never die. They certainly made their mark in the world of paranormal investigating, as well as helped thousands of people along the way. And as long as fans keep reading their books and watching the films based on their work, that legacy lives on!
