That’s right... a real-life exorcism in Iowa partially inspired the novel The Exorcist, which later became one of the most notorious horror movies of all time. In 1928 one of those notorious exorcisms took place in Earling, Iowa. This unusually long exorcism took place over the course of three weeks and has inspired many terrifying retellings. Read More: Best Scary Movies To Kick Off The Spooky Season 2025The Iowa ExorcismsThis is the retelling of this haunting story from onlyinyourtown. In at least one instance during the exorcism, Emma levitated off of her bed, to the horror of the priests and nuns present.