After you watch the new Scream in theaters in January, you can learn the shocking true story behind the very real serial killer who influenced the slasher movie series. The Discovery+ exclusive docu-special Scream: The True Story, a part of the streamer’s Shock Docs series, will look into the crimes of serial killer Danny Rolling. It releases on the same day as the new Scream, set to drop on Discovery+ on Jan. 14, and you can check out the trailer below.
Scream may be one of the most successful horror movie franchises of all time, but the real fright lies in its terrifyingly true roots – the horrific story of serial killer Danny Rolling, aka The Gainesville Ripper. Scream: The True Story delves into the real-life horror of a murderer who believed he was possessed by a demon and whose gruesome crime spree inspired the blockbuster film. The docu-special – through a groundbreaking paranormal investigation, archival media and expert interviews – takes a closer look at the alleged diabolical forces involved and whether Rolling’s spirit still lurks in the shadows.
Beginning in 1989, Danny Rolling stalked and murdered eight victims in Shreveport, Louisiana, and Gainesville, Florida, including five college students. Rolling claimed he was possessed by a demon named “Gemini” when he committed his crimes; he was eventually convicted and executed in 2006. Now, paranormal investigator Steve Shippy and renowned psychic medium Cindy Kaza join forces to uncover the truth behind Rolling’s claims that a demon made him kill.
“We all know the Scream films, but the inspiration behind them is a terrifying true story that many don’t know,” said Shippy in a statement. “As we began to peel back the layers, the investigation became more and more disturbing. There was a malicious, devious energy coming at us from every angle. It felt like pure evil.”
“This was one of the most intense and challenging experiences I’ve ever had,” added Kaza. “We made contact with a sinister presence, and it was definitely the most manipulative spirit that I have ever worked with. I felt like I was being messed with during the entire investigation. It shook me to my core.”
Shippy and Kaza are the first to ever conduct a paranormal investigation at the campsite near the University of Florida campus from which Rolling stalked his victims, as well as inside his childhood home in Louisiana, where aggressive poltergeist activity plagues the current homeowners. Interviews with experts and those connected to the case, including Rolling’s ex-fiancée, reveal that evil has run in his family for generations. Shippy and Kaza are confronted by powerful malevolent energy during their intense investigation – could it be the demonic force that possessed Rolling, or is it the spirit of Rolling himself? Fearing for everyone’s safety, they call in a demonologist to conduct an exorcism and help battle off the evil forces.
Scream: The True Story, a part of the Shock Docs series, starts streaming on Friday, Jan. 14 on Discovery+. Meanwhile, the new Scream will also be hitting theaters on Jan. 14, 2022.
