The Taking of Deborah Logan is a 2014 horror film that follows a documentary crew as they record the life of an elderly woman with Alzheimer’s disease, only to discover that she is possessed by a demonic force. The film has been praised for its realistic portrayal of dementia and its terrifying scenes of supernatural horror. But is the film based on a true story? And what is the origin of the evil entity that haunts Deborah Logan? In this article, we will explore the facts and fiction behind the film and reveal the shocking truth behind the horror.
The Plot of The Taking of Deborah Logan
The film begins with Mia Medina, a student filmmaker who wants to make a documentary about Alzheimer’s disease and its impact on the patients and their caregivers. She finds Deborah Logan, a 65-year-old woman who lives with her daughter Sarah in a remote farmhouse in Virginia. Deborah agrees to participate in the project, hoping to earn some money to pay off her debts and keep her house from being foreclosed.
As the film crew records Deborah’s daily routine, they notice that she exhibits strange and disturbing behaviors that go beyond the symptoms of Alzheimer’s. She speaks in French, a language she never learned, and talks about sacrifices and snakes. She wanders off at night and digs in the yard, claiming that she is looking for something. She has violent outbursts and attacks Sarah and the crew. She also develops a mysterious wound on her back that resembles a snake bite.
The crew soon learns that Deborah’s actions are linked to a series of ritualistic murders that occurred in the area decades ago. The killer was Henri Desjardins, a local doctor who was obsessed with an ancient Monacan legend about a snake god that could grant immortality. Desjardins kidnapped and killed four young girls who had just had their first period, believing that their blood was the key to completing the ritual. He needed a fifth victim to finish the sacrifice, but he was stopped by Deborah, who killed him and buried his body in her yard.
The film crew realizes that Deborah is possessed by the spirit of Desjardins, who is trying to use her body to complete his ritual. He targets Cara, a young girl who is suffering from cancer and lives nearby. Deborah kidnaps Cara and takes her to an abandoned mine, where Desjardins had performed his previous killings. The crew follows Deborah to the mine, where they witness a horrifying transformation. Deborah’s mouth opens wide and a snake-like creature emerges from her throat, ready to devour Cara. The crew manages to save Cara and kill Deborah, ending the curse of Desjardins.
The Truth Behind The Taking of Deborah Logan
The Taking of Deborah Logan is a work of fiction and is not based on a true story. However, the film incorporates themes and elements from real-life cases of demonic possession and exorcism, which have been reported in various cultures and religions around the world. According to Wikipedia, demonic possession is “the belief that a person’s actions are controlled by an alien spirit, demon, or entity”. Exorcism is “the practice of evicting demons or other evil spiritual entities from a person or place which they are believed to have possessed”.
The film also draws inspiration from the real-life phenomenon of Alzheimer’s disease, which is a progressive and irreversible brain disorder that causes memory loss, cognitive impairment, and behavioral changes. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, Alzheimer’s disease affects more than 6 million Americans and is the sixth-leading cause of death in the United States. The film depicts the challenges and struggles that Alzheimer’s patients and their caregivers face, as well as the stigma and discrimination that they often encounter.
The film also references the Monacan tribe, which is a Native American group that inhabited the area of Virginia where the film is set. According to the Monacan Indian Nation, the Monacans are one of the oldest tribal groups in Virginia and have a rich and diverse history and culture. However, the film does not accurately portray the Monacan beliefs and practices, and instead uses them as a source of horror and mystery. The film invents a fictional legend about a snake god that grants immortality, which has no basis in Monacan mythology or folklore.
The Impact of The Taking of Deborah Logan
The Taking of Deborah Logan is a film that has received positive reviews from critics and audiences alike. According to IMDb the film has a rating of 6.0 out of 10, based on more than 38,000 user votes. The film has also been praised for its performances, especially by Jill Larson, who plays Deborah Logan, and Anne Ramsay, who plays Sarah Logan. The film has been described as a “terrifying and heartbreaking” horror film that “explores the horrors of dementia and possession” (according to Fresherslive).
The film has also raised awareness and interest in the topics of Alzheimer’s disease, demonic possession, and exorcism. The film has sparked discussions and debates about the nature and causes of these phenomena, as well as the ethical and moral implications of documenting and exploiting them. The film has also inspired some viewers to learn more about the Monacan tribe and their culture, and to appreciate their contributions and struggles.
The Taking of Deborah Logan is a film that combines fiction and reality to create a compelling and disturbing horror story. The film is not based on a true story, but it uses real-life elements to enhance its credibility and impact. The film is a testament to the power of storytelling and the imagination, as well as the fear and fascination that humans have for the unknown and the supernatural.