Movie Review: Devil

Devil (2010)

Directed by John Erick Dowdle

Written by Brian Nelson

Starring Jacob Vargas, Matt Craven, Bokeem Woodbine Geoffrey Arend

Release Date September 17th, 2010 

Published September 17th, 2010

 A month ago as I sat patiently awaiting the start of a movie that I barely remember and the trailer for “Devil” popped up. Near the end of the trailer a line showed up on the screen 'from the mind of M. Night Shyamalan' and the previously indifferent audience suddenly burst out in laughter, boos and insulting catcalls.

This was in the wake of Shyamalan's box office success with “The Last Airbender” which made plenty of cash but was mostly despised by audiences, as evidenced by the laughter, boos and catcalls at his name. “Devil” has now arrived in theaters and while it may have sprung from same mind that thought “The Last Airbender” was a good idea, “Devil” is a far better and more satisfying thrill ride than that kid flick debacle.

”Devil” stars Chris Messina as a cop fresh from 60 days sobriety and a meeting with his sponsor. Called to the site of a suicide; the handsome Detective Bowden has actually stumbled on a case that will change his life. While Bowman and his partner Markowitz (Joshua Peace, Cube Zero) are investigating the suicide a situation is unfolding inside the building from which the suicide, literally, sprang.

Five strangers have entered elevator number 6 and find themselves trapped. While security guards Ramirez (Jacob Vargas) and Lustig (Matt Craven) look on these five strangers face blackouts that lead to violence and eventually death. With detectives and security foiled in trying to get the elevator moving, Ramirez begins pitching an idea that there is nothing that can be done; the Devil has chosen these five and only accepting their fate can bring an end to the torture.

”Devil” is said to be part of a trilogy thought up by Producer M. Night Shyamalan in concert with directors Drew and Erick Dowdle, the minds behind “Quarantine” and the cult hit “The Poughkeepsie Tapes” and writer Bryan Nelson, best known for the terrific script for the not so great vampire flick “30 Days of Night.” Indeed, “Devil” does set some stakes for a small scale biblical battle to come yet, on its own manages to be entertaining without cheating ahead for sequels.

The Dowdle Brothers are the ideal directors for “Devil.” Both “Quarantine” and “The Poughkeepsie Tapes” are clever, small scale thrillers that make use of clever camera tricks and low watt effects to sell their scares. With a slightly bigger budget, the Dowdle's have the best cast they've had so far in their careers and make terrific use of their horrified glares, terror filled eyes and abundant sweat glands.

The Dowdle's often keep the camera uncomfortably in the face of their subjects and the move aids the audience in feeling the heated, claustrophobia and paranoia that slowly consumes the five strangers that include actors Geoffrey Arends, Bokeem Woodbine and Logan Marshall-Green and actresses Jenny O'Hara and Bojana Novakovic.

As strong as the strangers are, Chris Messina is twice as good as Detective Bowman. In a number of tiny supporting roles, in movies like the wonderful “Away We Go” and the likable “Julie and Julia” -as Amy Adams put upon husband- Messina has made a good impression in underserved roles. In “Devil” Messina gets to show what he's really got and one can only hope he gets more big roles, the guy has got It.

Messina's performance in “Devil” stands right next to another breakout character actor's performance in a low budget, low watt horror/thriller, Patrick Fabian in “The Last Exorcism.” Both performances underplay their genre, draw the audience to them through charm and competence and both are actors of unexpected force and charisma.

”Devil” isn't quite as ingenious as “The Last Exorcism” but it's along the same line, a horror/thriller that smartly tweaks the horror formula to deliver something that seems fresh amid the flotsam of the genre.

Well cast and cleverly directed, “Devil” is a welcome surprise in a month when Hollywood tends to be taking it easy. Sure, the name M. Night Shyamalan isn't likely to earn cheers again anytime soon, especially if he's still planning another ‘Airbender’ movie, but he's on to something with the so called “Night Chronicles.” Here's hoping he and his collaborators can capitalize on the promise of “Devil.”