Watch Deliver Us from Evil

Deliver Us from Evil is a gripping 2006 documentary about the true story of former Catholic priest Oliver O'Grady, who sexually abused and manipulated dozens of children in the Central Valley region of California between the 1970s and 1990s. Directed by Amy Berg, the film delves deep into the raw and harrowing accounts of abuse survivors, the anger and frustration of their families, and the lack of accountability from both the Catholic Church and the legal system.

The documentary begins with O'Grady, who is now living in his native Ireland after serving seven years in prison for his crimes, speaking candidly on camera about his behavior and the various tactics he used to gain trust from his victims and their families. O'Grady's remorseless confessions are juxtaposed with footage of him interacting with children during his time in California, highlighting the stark contrast between the image he projected and the horrific actions he committed. O'Grady's victims, many of whom are now adults, discuss how the abuse affected their lives and relationships, and how their scream for justice was met with deaf ears for years.

The film then goers deeper into the church's role in covering up the abuse. Thomas Doyle, a canon lawyer and priest who was tasked by the Vatican with handling clerical sexual abuse cases in the US, speaks out against the church's hierarchy and their attempts to sweep the issue under the rug. He is joined by other advocates who highlight the systemic problem of abuse within the Catholic Church and the institutional barriers that make it difficult to bring perpetrators to justice.

Throughout the documentary, Adam, the son of one of O'Grady's victims, serves as a powerful voice of hope and resilience, as he forges his own path to healing despite the trauma he endured. The audience is also shown interviews with other survivors, some of whom chose to confront O'Grady face-to-face later in life, revealing the courage and strength it took to confront their abuser and demand accountability.

Deliver Us from Evil is a shocking and poignant reminder of the devastation caused by unchecked power and misplaced trust. The film does not shy away from exposing the flaws and egregious mistakes made by those in positions of authority, but it also offers a glimmer of hope for those who have suffered at their hands. Above all, it is a call to action for society to make a change, to hold perpetrators accountable, and to support survivors in their healing journey. It is a must-watch for anyone interested in understanding the intricacies of these issues and the collective responsibility we all have to address them.

Deliver Us from Evil is a 2006 crime movie. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.9 and a MetaScore of 86.