Catholic exorcist Father Carlos Martins told Fox News Digital that Hollywood depictions of demonic possession focus on visible physical phenomena while overlooking what he considers the most frightening aspect: the psychological dimension of the demonic mind. Speaking ahead of the launch of the third season of "The Exorcist Files" podcast, Fr. Martins argued that films and television programs fail to capture the rage, inner anger, and disgust he attributes to demonic entities.
The priest, who co-hosts the podcast with creator Ryan Bethea, described an incident in which a person undergoing an exorcism threatened to bomb a flight he was scheduled to take the following day. Fr. Martins stated that he changed his flight not out of fear, but because the session had been productive and he offered to remain for additional appointments. When he returned the next day, the individual appeared surprised by his presence, a reaction Fr. Martins interpreted as evidence of the entity's imperfect intelligence.
According to Fr. Martins, the entity's apparent knowledge of his original travel plans contrasted with its failure to anticipate his changed itinerary. He views this discrepancy as proof that while demonic forces may possess intimate knowledge of a target's weaknesses and preferences, they do not have omniscience. The priest warned that this targeted knowledge allows such entities to press on specific vulnerabilities to cause maximal damage.
Bethea said the new podcast season, which launched on Oct. 5, includes cases spanning hundreds of years and involving multiple family members. The hosts argue that these stories can help listeners examine unresolved trauma and mental health concerns that may contribute to spiritual vulnerability. Bethea noted that working with Fr. Martins has strengthened his own Christian faith rather than increasing his fear of the supernatural.
Fr. Martins described the actual practice of exorcism as a calm process centered on prayer and spiritual reconciliation, contrasting it with the theatrical portrayals common in media. He stated that he has never yelled at the devil during a session and that the goal is not to overpower an entity through forceful prayers, but to understand how influence was gained and help the individual return to reconciliation with Christ. He also noted that exorcist training functions largely as an apprenticeship, with less experienced priests learning alongside seasoned practitioners.
Addressing Halloween traditions, Fr. Martins said he does not oppose trick-or-treating but discourages costumes celebrating evil or demonic imagery. Bethea similarly defended family-friendly holiday activities while cautioning against practices associated with occult involvement, such as Ouija boards, astrology, and tarot cards. Bethea emphasized that the podcast's accounts should not lead listeners to assume every unexplained experience has a supernatural cause, pointing to the psychological assessments involved in determining eligibility for exorcism.