I decided to conduct research into exorcism and demonic possession because it is one of the underlying themes of my game. I mainly wanted to get some reference images of possessed victims because I want my poster to include said victim strapped to a chair and undergoing bloodletting. My researched focused on depictions of exorcism and demonic possession in popular culture.
Film
There are slight variations in depictions of possessed victims in film. The most popular one is the one where the victim’s body deteriorates in order to externally show how the body dies without the soul. This is thanks to the popularity of films such as The Exorcist. Films such as Il Demonio, The Rite and The Devil Inside‘s representations of possessed victims are more subtle. The victims are visibly tired, pale and wounded but without the body rotting away in any major way. In the case of Il Demonio this is most likely due to the lack of good special effects and FX make up to apply to the actress. I prefer this representation of demonic possession. This is because I believe that subtlety makes a phenomena such as this one appear more realistic and probable. A common trait in all representations of demonic possession is the fact that all of the victims scream a lot and violently as well as fear of religious imagery. Eyes are also unnaturally wide opened and the pose the body makes is also unnatural to humans or at least very uncomfortable. The movements are also reminiscent of animals. This is supposed to dehumanize the victim. Another common trait is self mutilation.
Gaming
There aren’t as many depictions of demonic possession in video games. Below are a few examples of demons that I managed to find. Video game demons are often exaggerated as seen in the examples below. I feel that in most cases this makes them appear more comical than frightening. Darkness is a good example of this exaggeration working quite well however.
Bibliography:
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0070047/
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0167886/
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1560985/
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1161864/
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0092991/
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1288558/
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2473682/
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2377322/