The latest four-part documentary series, “Amityville: An Origin Story,” available on MGM+ and directed by Jack Riccobono, delves into the harrowing true events behind the iconic horror movie: The Amityville Horror. It critically examines whether the haunting could be attributed to sinister occult practices.
The portrayal in Jay Anson’s 1977 book and the subsequent 1979 movie starring James Brolin and Margot Kidder isn’t an accurate reflection of reality, asserts Christopher Lutz. Lutz was just a child when his mother and stepfather, who have since passed, moved to the infamous haunted house a year after the brutal murder of six DeFeo family members.
Lutz suggests that reality was graver than what the cinematic universe captured.
In December 1975, the Lutz family, comprised of parents George and Kathleen and their children, Christopher, Daniel, and Missy, relocated to this house (Note: Daniel and Missy didn’t partake in interviews for the docuseries). According to the parents, the paranormal events were so overwhelming that they vacated the residence within 28 days. This house, a sizable Dutch Colonial residence, is located in the quaint village of Amityville in Long Island, New York.
Even after nearly half a century, the memories remain vivid for Christopher Lutz, who is resolute about revealing the actual series of events.
Lutz states that both Jay Anson’s 1977 publication and the 1979 adaptation omitted an alarming detail: his stepfather’s association with the occult. The docuseries uncovers Christopher’s belief that George Lutz, who passed away in 2006, intentionally invoked malevolent supernatural entities by practicing occult ceremonies in the residence. He further alleges that George Lutz manipulated the true narrative to gain financially.
Director Riccobono quotes Christopher’s frustration with his stepfather, “Christopher felt betrayed by George’s attempts to sensationalize and monetize the real-life incidents through exaggerated media portrayals and subsequent literary contributions.”
Riccobono appreciates Christopher’s honesty, saying, “Christopher’s readiness to challenge his stepfather’s narrative only adds to his credibility.”
In the documentary, Christopher points out that the house’s haunting could be attributed to the occult practices, especially Transcendental Meditation (TM). TM, which became popular in the West during the 1960s and ’70s, involves chanting a specific mantra under a guru’s guidance. However, Lutz claims that his stepfather diverged from the traditional TM method, using unsanctioned mantras he believes attracted malevolent spirits.
Riccobono clarifies that the intention isn’t to vilify TM but to convey Christopher’s viewpoint on how its misuse might have contributed to the house’s eerie occurrences. The official institution overseeing TM, the Maharishi Foundation USA, hasn’t yet responded to inquiries by MovieMaker regarding the Amityville allegations.
Riccobono expresses intrigue at the enduring allure of the Amityville saga, continually captivating even those born long after the original events.
Riccobono remarks, “Amityville’s legacy, an intricate blend of the supernatural, avarice, homicide, and skepticism, seems to eternally ensnare those who encounter it, leading to an inexhaustible cycle of fascination and desire for closure.”
Catch the premiere of “Amityville: An Origin Story” on MGM+ on Sunday, April 23 at 10 p.m. ET/PT, followed by weekly episode releases.