David Glatzel is a character in The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It. He is an 8-year-old boy whose demonic possession serves as the catalyst for the supernatural events of the story. He is portrayed by Julian Hilliard.
David Glatzel’s Role in the Movie[]
Introduction to David Glatzel[]
The movie begins on July 18th, 1981, in Brookfield, Connecticut. Ed and Lorraine Warren are summoned to the home of 8-year-old David Glatzel, who is under the possession of a demonic entity. David’s family, including his parents Carl and Judy, sister Debbie, and Debbie’s boyfriend Arne Johnson, are all present. The house shows clear signs of demonic attack: a broken chandelier and claw marks on the walls.
David first comes into focus when Arne brings him to his bedroom to help him sleep. Later, David hears a pounding noise and screams. When the family and the Warrens check on him, David emerges from the shadows and stabs his father, Carl, in the leg.
As an exorcism begins, David becomes the center of the demon’s fury. His body contorts unnaturally while the demon wreaks havoc in the house. During this chaos, the demon uses David to attack Ed Warren’s heart, forcing Ed to collapse. Arne intervenes, pleading for the demon to leave David and take him instead. The exorcism ends abruptly as David appears cured, though the transfer of the demon to Arne sets the main conflict of the movie into motion.
David’s Role in Arne’s Possession[]
The movie later reveals that David’s possession began months earlier when the Glatzel family moved into their house. David discovered a waterbed in the home and began playing on it, only for the demon to burst through the mattress and grab him. This traumatic encounter marked the start of the boy’s possession.
The Warrens investigate further, uncovering a witch’s totem in the Glatzel house’s cellar. They realize that the possession is linked to a cult’s curse, which begins with an object like the totem. The demon’s influence over David was part of a broader plan set into motion by the cult leader, the Occultist.
David’s possession is shown to deeply affect his family. Arne, in particular, becomes determined to protect him, ultimately offering himself as a sacrifice to the demon. This act ensures David’s survival but transfers the curse to Arne.
David’s Connection to Arne and His Final Scene[]
In the psych ward, Debbie and David visit Arne, who describes his growing torment and possession. David recognizes the symptoms and confirms that Arne is now experiencing the same torment he once endured. David’s ability to articulate the demonic influence strengthens the Warrens’ case that Arne is not responsible for the crimes he commits.
David’s story concludes with his exorcism’s success, as the demon fully abandons him for Arne. He survives the events of the movie, but his experiences serve as the catalyst for the tragedy and chaos that follows.
David Glatzel’s Personality[]
David is portrayed as a vulnerable and innocent child. His initial curiosity about the new house reflects his youthful innocence, as he unknowingly disturbs the demon resting within the waterbed. Despite his possession, David exhibits moments of terror and despair, showing a childlike longing to escape the torment inflicted upon him.
David Glatzel’s Background[]
David is a member of the Glatzel family, which includes his parents, Carl and Judy, his older sister Debbie, and Debbie’s boyfriend, Arne. The family recently moved into a new home, which unknowingly housed an evil presence. David’s experiences suggest he was targeted due to his youth and vulnerability, making him an easy victim for the demon and the cult responsible for the curse.
David Glatzel’s Impact on the Story[]
David’s possession drives the Warrens to intervene, setting the plot in motion. The exorcism and the demon’s eventual transfer to Arne create the central conflict of the movie. David’s initial possession provides critical clues for the Warrens to uncover the larger curse orchestrated by the Occultist.
David Glatzel’s Connection to Other Characters[]
• Arne Johnson: David shares a close bond with Arne, who selflessly offers to take the demon in David’s place. Arne’s actions save David but come at a great cost, as he becomes the demon’s next victim. • The Warrens: Ed and Lorraine view David as a child in desperate need of their help. They fight to save him from the demon and later use his possession as evidence of the curse’s origins. • Debbie Glatzel: David’s sister is deeply protective of him. Her insistence on finding answers and helping Arne is driven by her love for both her brother and her boyfriend.
Quotes[]
- I'll stop your heart, old man.
- I didn't know what happened. It was like a dream. And nobody believed me when I told them. But that was the first time I saw it.
