Eli Roth Reveals How Building Miniatures Helped Tell the Disturbing True Story of ‘Let the Devil In’

The MGM+ documentary series titled Let the Devil In explores the haunting, real-life account of Thomas “Tommy” Sullivan, a 14-year-old boy from New Jersey who committed a shocking murder-suicide in 1988. His tragic act, allegedly driven by Satanism, played a significant role in fueling the global hysteria known as the Satanic Panic that dominated the ’80s and ’90s.

Eli Roth, who directed the recent horror film set around Thanksgiving and is also an executive producer for “Let the Devil In”, spoke with Russ Milheim from TopMob about why they opted to use miniatures and smaller sets to convey the grim true tale in their documentary series.

Roth mentioned that their miniatures aimed to recreate the feel of 1988, a task successfully accomplished. In reality, those houses as they stand now bear little resemblance to how they were back then, having either been demolished or undergone renovation.

They really enjoyed the texture of the miniatures, and Roth pointed out that it has a distinct ’80s vibe to it.

One advantage of employing miniatures was that they offered an effective means to depict what transpired and make it somewhat appealing, given its grim and distressing nature. This posed a challenge: how to narrate such dark events in a manner that sparks the viewers’ imagination while maintaining creativity, interest, and artistic flair.

Let the Devil In premieres on MGM+ on August 31, 2025.

Eli Roth on Using Miniatures for Let the Devil In

“We Wanted to Take You Back to That Time In 1988…”

TopMob: “One of the unique elements of the series is the use of miniatures. Can you talk about how incorporating those into the narrative that you were putting out to audiences really helped enhance the experience?”

Eli Roth expressed: We aimed to transport you to that period in 1988, yet if you were to visit those houses today, they wouldn’t resemble them as they once did. They possessed a distinct style, and many of them no longer exist or have been replaced. Consequently, should we return to Tommy’s Street, it won’t retain its former appearance.
Instead of using actual photos or videos, our director proposed an innovative approach: creating miniatures. Interestingly, there are skilled artisans in the Midwest who specialize in miniature building, and we found them to be perfect for this project. We were drawn to the tangible quality of these miniatures, giving it a nostalgic 80s vibe and a handcrafted charm.
The film ‘Hereditary’ impresses with its intricate miniatures, a common element in horror movies that adds an extra layer of dread to the narrative. Upon viewing the sets, I was genuinely astounded by their impeccable craftsmanship. These miniature scenes not only elevated the overall atmosphere but also served as a means to subtly convey events that are too disturbing or grotesque to fully depict on screen due to their intense nature.
How about rephrasing that as follows: “How might one narrate the tale in a manner that stirs the imagination and offers clarity, yet maintains an engaging, artistic flair? In my opinion, those stories truly succeeded in creating a vivid picture of the locale, its layout, and even made the miniature models seem lifelike. One can almost imagine walking through the town, as if they were there themselves.

Eli Roth on Why This Was the Story To Tell

This Was the Case That Truly Put Violent Movies and Games Into Question

TopMob: “When approaching this show, what was the selection process and figuring out what horrible, true story we’d be focusing on, or was it this story that sparked the show as a whole?”

Eli Roth mentioned that this particular story was the catalyst for its creation, and it gained significant traction due to Brandon Morgan, who had done a podcast on the subject. Notably, Morgan resided in the same town where the events unfolded, and he attended school alongside Tony Sullivan – the boy who committed the horrific act of brutally murdering his mother, setting fire to the house, and taking his own life. The case is filled with numerous peculiarities.
I spent my childhood in Boston, and I recall a phenomenon known as the Satanic Panic sweeping through, marking the period when horror films, heavy metal music, and anything perceived as dark or satanic came under intense scrutiny. Essentially, it was no longer seen as mere entertainment; it was regarded as something truly malevolent.
Take a look at young Tommy Sullivan. He’s just an altar boy with no prior misdeeds, yet he pens a report about Satan, only to find himself swearing allegiance to the devil and committing matricide within six short weeks.
In simpler terms,
Brandon and I have been friends for a while, and Brandon mentioned he wanted to transform his podcast into a TV show. He asked if I could assist him. At that moment, even though I wasn’t in New Jersey, people seemed to think I was going to be the next potential suspect, given my clothing – I wore either Iron Maiden or Texas Chainsaw Massacre T-shirts. In essence, people saw me as the likely candidate who might commit a violent act like murdering their parents.
As a film enthusiast, I must confess, the plotline is utterly bizarre, and the manner of his demise leaves me puzzled. It’s not merely that it’s uncertain whether he took his own life; rather, the town’s wounds from 1988 still resonate deeply. Many residents remain tight-lipped about the incident, even refusing to engage with podcasts, despite the praise they’ve received. Yet, here I stand, discussing it for the first time. Sister Philomena, the headmistress at our Catholic school, bravely shared her thoughts on camera, and her chilling words are etched in my memory.

Eli Roth Breaks Down How They Worked With the Real-Life Figures Involved

Talking to People This Time Around Was Easier, But They Still Couldn’t Convince Everyone

TopMob: “You mentioned all the people that you’re able to talk with that were there and part of this story. How much pushback did the team get for this show and for trying to convince these various figures to share their story? Or was it just way easier now that the podcast is out?”

Eli Roth: It became challenging during the podcast discussion. The question arose as to why these topics were being raised, and why old wounds were being reopened. The young detective present, along with the initial police officer on the scene, seemed to express discomfort, as if they preferred not to discuss these matters. They kept saying, “We’re not talking. We’re not talking.
After listening to the podcast, people noticed its courteous nature and responded with, “Hold on, I may have additional details.” A considerable amount of information was overlooked or hidden at first, but it surfaced following the podcast’s release.
For the first time, Tommy’s childhood friend, who was essentially part of his family growing up, individuals who declined interviews back in 1988 and have been silent on the matter ever since, expressed a desire to clear up misconceptions. They stated, “I feel compelled to correct the record and discuss this topic.
Credit goes to Brandon Morgan for his exceptional podcast. To maintain an atmosphere of respect, we found this task effortless. Those unwilling to participate simply stepped aside. All in all, it was an excellent opportunity.

TopMob: “One of those people was Thomas Sullivan Sr., who is a key part of the story overall. But the show even mentions that you guys weren’t able to speak with him. Are you able to detail some of the efforts and trying to get a hold of him and trying to get his part of the story for this show?”

Eli Roth expresses that the story is undeniably about the family and the individual’s personal experiences, delving into the police records for accuracy. At a certain point, he emphasizes the sensitivity required when dealing with someone who has endured such a tragic loss of their family. Tommy’s brother, having survived the incident but later taking his own life, further underscores the profound impact of this tragedy.
Although he might prefer to distance himself from the family’s troubling past, it’s important for him to understand that we are not exploiting the situation or presenting it as mere entertainment. Instead, we are discussing this significant cultural shift, where once-innocent forms of media like violent movies, video games, and heavy metal music have come under scrutiny for their potential impact on society.
Instead, let’s explore some other factors at play. They contacted him indirectly, located him, but he chose to turn down their request.
When someone refuses, you can simply respond with “Okay,” if it’s a police officer, an acquaintance, a friend, or even a bystander who has seen the situation. If you want to encourage them to reconsider, you could say something like, “Come on, let’s talk to these other people instead.” Then, return to those individuals.
Whenever it’s a matter of his immediate family, especially his son, losing him is the most unbearable tragedy imaginable. Understandably, we wanted them to join in our efforts, but if they choose not to participate, there’s no issue.

The full interview can be viewed below:

Don’t miss out on TopMob’s exclusive interview with the creators of “The Strangers: Chapter 2”. They open up about the alterations they made to the film after the initial release, giving horror enthusiasts a glimpse into their creative process.

2025-08-26 20:08