Prey for the Devil: True Story, Review & Netflix Facts

Few things are more unsettling than a nun battling demons, but Prey for the Devil raises a question that keeps popping up: did any of it actually happen? This guide separates the Hollywood fiction from the real Catholic Church exorcism procedures, and tells you whether the 2022 film is worth your streaming time on Netflix. You’ll get the facts on its true-story status, how scary it really is, and what the critics said.

Release year: 2022 ·
Genre: Supernatural horror ·
Starring: Jacqueline Byers ·
Available on: Netflix

Four key data points, one pattern: the film is a straightforward supernatural horror with a modern streaming reach but a divisive critical response.

Is Prey for the Devil Based on a True Story?

The short answer is no — Prey for the Devil is not a true story. The film is entirely fictional, though it borrows real-world elements like the Catholic Church’s exorcism school and procedures (SpoilerTV (entertainment news site)). Let’s break down where fact meets fiction.

Real-life exorcism programs in the Catholic Church

The Vatican does maintain a rector of exorcists and offers training through the Pontifical Athenaeum Regina Apostolorum in Rome. However, the film dramatizes this concept heavily. In reality, women cannot become ordained exorcists — only priests appointed by a bishop may perform the Rite of Exorcism, and that detail is central to the movie’s plot tension (Keith & the Movies (film critic)). The Catholic Church’s exorcism guidelines are governed by the 1999 revised Rite of Exorcism, which requires prior approval from a local bishop.

The fictional elements of Sister Ann’s story

• Sister Ann’s backstory — an abusive mother with mental health struggles — is invented (Keith & the Movies (film critic)).
• The demon that possesses young Natalie and appears to be the same entity that tormented Ann’s mother is pure fiction.
• The Vatican’s decision to reopen an exorcism school specifically because of a global possession spike is not documented by Church officials.

The implication: The film uses real Catholic terminology to anchor its supernatural plot, but every character, possession event, and backstory is invented by screenwriters. Viewers should not mistake the convincing institutional framing for a true account.

Is Prey for the Devil a Good Film?

Critical consensus on Prey for the Devil is divided, and the numbers tell a mixed story.

Critical reception on Rotten Tomatoes and IMDb

On Rotten Tomatoes (review aggregator), the film’s Tomatometer score sits at 25% based on critic reviews, with the Audience Score higher at approximately 60%. IMDb lists a user rating of 5.1/10. The polarization suggests the film works better as a casual horror watch than as a critically acclaimed piece of cinema.

Audience scores and word of mouth

Social media reactions and forum discussions highlight that many viewers appreciated the fresh angle of a female protagonist in exorcism training, even if execution felt formulaic. A reviewer for SpoilerTV (entertainment news site) wrote that it “feels like a standard horror movie built to capitalize on the Halloween audience.”

The pattern: Audience scores exceed critic scores, indicating the film resonates better with casual viewers than with professional reviewers.

How Scary Is Prey for the Devil?

Parental guide and age rating

The film is rated PG-13 by the MPAA for violent content, disturbing images, and thematic elements (Rotten Tomatoes (rating authority)). It contains demon possession scenes with contortions, speaking in tongues, and jump scares, but it avoids the graphic gore or sexual content of an R-rated exorcism film. The runtime is a tight 1 hour 33 minutes, making it accessible for teen horror beginners.

Comparison to other exorcism horror films

Compared to classics like The Exorcist (1973) and modern hits such as The Conjuring universe, Prey for the Devil is significantly less intense. It relies more on atmosphere and institutional creep than grotesque special effects. A YouTube critic (horror genre reviewer) described it as “a safer choice for those who want exorcism scares without the nightmare fuel.”

The trade-off: For parents of teens or viewers who get frightened easily, the PG-13 rating and moderate scares make it watchable. For seasoned horror fans, it may feel too restrained.

Is Prey for the Devil Worth Watching?

Pros and cons of the film

Recommendations for horror fans

If you’re looking for a solid late-night stream with minimal emotional investment, Prey for the Devil delivers. The strongest audience segment is casual horror viewers who want something new on Netflix with a supernatural twist. Hardcore exorcism fans should temper expectations — this is not The Exorcist.

The catch: While not a masterpiece, the film offers enough for those seeking a quick exorcism fix.

Is There a Prey for the Devil 2 Release Date?

Sequel status and official announcements

As of this writing, no official release date for Prey for the Devil 2 has been announced by Lionsgate or any distributor. The first film’s ending leaves room for a sequel — the demon isn’t fully vanquished — but neither the studio nor the director, Daniel Stamm, have confirmed development is underway (Rotten Tomatoes (movie database)).

Speculation and fan expectations

Online fan forums and genre websites speculate that the film’s post-theatrical success on Netflix could push a greenlight. However, mixed reviews and a modest box office performance make a sequel uncertain.

The catch: Streaming viewership data for 2023 could tip the scale. If Prey for the Devil remains in Netflix’s top charts during Halloween seasons, a sequel becomes more likely — but for now, nothing is concrete.

Clarity: What We Know and What’s Unclear

What Critics and Viewers Are Saying

“Sister Ann believes she is answering a calling to be the first female exorcist… but who, or what, called her?”

— Official film tagline, as quoted by Rotten Tomatoes (movie database)

“The film feels like a standard horror movie built to capitalize on the Halloween audience.”

— SpoilerTV (entertainment news site)

“It’s a safer choice for those who want exorcism scares without the nightmare fuel.”

— YouTube horror critic (genre reviewer)

“The film uses text over screen emphasizing the Catholic Church’s practice of exorcism to give the narrative a faux true-story weight.”

— SpoilerTV (entertainment news site)

The mixed reception reflects a film that nails its institutional aesthetic but fails to deliver scares that break new ground. The mock-true-story framing may draw viewers in, but the execution leaves most critics cold.

The pattern: Audiences who watch Prey for the Devil on Netflix without reading the critical response tend to rate it higher — suggesting the film works better as a casual weekend stream than as a theatrical experience.

Frequently asked questions

For the casual Netflix horror fan in 2025, Prey for the Devil is a decent 93-minute distraction that scratches the exorcism itch without nightmares. For viewers seeking genuine theological depth or groundbreaking scares, the choice is clear: stream it for the female exorcist angle, then switch to The Rite for the real deal.