In an interview published Oct. 11, 2026, Catholic priest Carlos Martins discussed the third season of “The Exorcist Files,” a podcast that presents purported exorcism cases. Martins co-hosts the show with its co-creator, Ryan Bethea.
Martins said he believes horror films focus on visible effects while overlooking what he described as the psychological aspect of alleged demonic encounters. He recounted assisting another exorcist when, he said, a person threatened to bomb a flight Martins was scheduled to take the next day. Martins said he changed his plans because he offered to stay for further appointments, then returned and found the person surprised to see him.
The priest interpreted the exchange as an example of what he believes are the limits of demonic knowledge. His account, like the podcast’s other supernatural claims, is presented as the hosts’ testimony and is not independently verified in the source material.
The season began Oct. 5, according to the interview. Bethea described one episode as involving several family members and a story he said spans centuries. He also said the show’s cases should not lead listeners to assume that every unusual experience has a supernatural explanation, and noted that psychological assessments are part of evaluating whether someone should receive an exorcism.
Martins described exorcism as a comparatively calm process involving prayer and spiritual support rather than dramatic confrontation. He also said he does not oppose children participating in ordinary Halloween activities, though he would avoid costumes celebrating evil or demonic imagery. Bethea expressed similar support for family-friendly traditions while warning against practices he associates with occult activity.
The interview reflects the religious views of Martins and Bethea; it does not establish that demonic possession or the events they recount occurred as described.
