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Let The Devil In is on the horizon and already gaining momentum among true crime fans. Unlike typical crime retellings, the series promises to offer a multi-faceted critique that not only breaks down the events themselves but also explores the cultural climate at that time.
The case, at its core, is complex and disturbing, rooted in the unpredictable climate of the late 1980s. 'Let The Devil In' is unique because it chooses to set the tragedy against the backdrop of the Satanic Panic, a time when hysteria over cults, occult practices, and so-called ritual crimes was at its peak. Season 1 is presented as a four-part investigation that blends the details of the case with the surrounding paranoia.
Whether you’ve followed true crime for years or are new to the genre, this series offers an unsettling yet captivating perspective on how communities deal with trauma.
Let The Devil In Season 1 release date and episode format
Let The Devil In's rollout schedule is brief. Let The Devil In will debut on Sunday, August 31, 2025, at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT on MGM+. It will be a compact four-episode season, with every other episode airing weekly in September. This will make the entire run last a month, giving viewers a short viewing schedule instead of several weeks or months to follow the story.
The format also mirrors how many new original true-crime shows are marketed: short, gritty, and relentless. With its four-part story structure, Let The Devil In skips unnecessary filler and concentrates on what truly matters. Each part highlights a different phase of the case: the crime, the aftermath, the investigation, and the long-term psychological impact.
The subject of Let The Devil In
In essence, Let The Devil In is the story of a horrific family tragedy in Jefferson, New Jersey, in 1988. A devout Catholic mother was brutally murdered, and within weeks, her teenage son committed suicide. These horrifying events sparked fear and rumors in the small town. Rumors of Satanic activity spread, mainly fueled by the broader cultural hysteria sweeping the United States at that time.
The Satanic Panic was not just a minor fact but shaped how people understood the case. To outsiders, the tragedy might have seemed like it was caused by mental illness, family issues, or personal trauma. In popular culture and media reports at the time, occult explanations dominated the narrative. Let The Devil In uses this case as a lens to examine how fear, rumor, and cultural fears come together with crime investigations.
Episode analysis and timing
Each episode of Let The Devil In, Season 1, is themed, thus creating a narrative arc that reflects both the evolving investigation and shifting public sentiment. Released episode titles and summaries so far serve as a clear guide:
Episode 1 – "Shock" (August 31, 2025)
This first episode introduces the tragedy, describing the mother's death and her son's disappearance. It offers historical context on how people initially reacted, mixing grief with confusion.
Episode 2 – "Panic" (September 7, 2025)
The second episode covers the discovery of the second body, which heightens speculation. When fear overtakes Jefferson, rumors of ritual satanism spread widely, fueled by national excitement about cults and rituals.
Episode 3 – "Evil" (September 13, 2025)
Police try to understand how the son became involved in this violence. The incident reveals frightening facts that hint at the use of the occult, but it questions whether these were based on evidence or just fear.
Episode 4 – "Trauma" (September 20, 2025)
The last chapter adopts a reflective tone, recalling decades later the scars left on the community. Experts and residents remember how obsession, psychosis, and cultural paranoia shaped the narrative of the case. By scheduling the series this way, Let The Devil In ensures that audiences not only follow the events in order but also grasp the larger emotional and cultural connections.
Creative team and production
The direction of Let The Devil In Season 1 is led by Danielle Franco, who not only directs but also serves as the showrunner. Her involvement ensures that the documentary receives both narrative focus and sensitivity in depicting real-life tragedies.
She is supported by a large executive production team, some of whose notable members include Eli Roth, Branden Morgen, Anneka Jones, Jill Burkhart, Ken Druckerman, Banks Tarver, Rod Blackhurst, Dirk Hoogstra, and Nicole Sorrenti. The team combines expertise from both documentary filmmaking and traditional filmmaking, adding a multi-layered depth to the storytelling.
Producers are Anike Niemeyer, Kevin Vargas, William Acks, and Trey Nelson. With these idealist voices, "Let The Devil In" is further enriched with perspectives that blend inquisitive detail with film form.
Streaming details and accessibility
Let The Devil In can only be streamed by viewers on MGM+ itself. At the time of the series's release, there were no indications it would be available on other networks. This exclusivity supports MGM+'s business strategy to expand its library of original true crime series.
MGM+ also temporarily offered other docuseries for free on Prime Video from July 31 to August 31, 2025, in the weeks before its launch. These included Helter Skelter: An American Myth, Amityville: An Origin Story, and Psycho: The Lost Tapes of Ed Gein.
Whereas not specifically related to Let The Devil In, these sightings draw on simple ideas of crime, fear, and cultural interest in evil, giving the audience a thematic warning before the new show airs.
Historical and cultural context
To understand how Let The Devil In is relevant, it is necessary to look back at the Satanic Panic era. America was consumed by occult crime in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Daycare scandals, "ritual abuse" cases, and tabloid-style reporting fueled mass paranoia. Communities believed the devil's influence was at play where little or none actually existed, leading to moral panics and even wrongful convictions.
The Let The Devil In Jefferson case fits within this cultural context. The gruesome events can perhaps be best explained as an intradomestic tragedy caused by domestic conflict. However, because of the prevailing attitude of the times, stories of satanic ritual and possession were later added. By presenting it decades after the event, the show demonstrates how popular culture can shape not only public memory but also official investigations.
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Let The Devil In is more than just a true crime series. By blending investigative journalism with cultural analysis, it explores the intersection of tragedy and terror. The show investigates a phantom New Jersey case from history but also examines the paranoid surface of late 20th-century America.
Also read: Every season of Supernatural ranked from worst to best.
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