Devil Review

Title: Devil

MPAA Rating: PG-13

Director: John Erick Dowdle

Starring: Chris Messina, Caroline Dhavernas

Runtime: 1 hour 20 minutes

What It Is?: What seems like it will be a normal day turns into anything but, when 5 people get into an elevator together. On their way up, the elevator stops…but the ride has just begun. Two security guards call Detective Bowden (Messina) when the trapped start to become hostile. Craziness soon starts to take over as the events heighten by the minute. The devil amongst them.

What We Think?: Usually when the name M. Night Shyamalan pops up in connection with a movie, one would shudder…maybe crawl up in the fetal position and cry? His past films haven’t been anything to brag about and there seems to be a problem with anything he does. However, when it comes to him working on production, it’s a different story. This is the first chapter in M. Night Shyamalan’s Night Chronicles. Devil has a very nice premise but is unable to capitalize. The script lacks substance and the ending seems to fall short of expectations, even by Shyamalan’s standards. We all know that Shyamalan likes twists, extravagant, elegant twists. Devil just doesn’t deliver what he was trying to put out. The acting seemed mediocre and overall had a stale feeling. It can be okay at times to use “unknowns”, but when it comes to this thriller, it just wasn’t in the stars. On a positive note, it was able to capitalize with some thrills, but wasn’t able to hold the tension throughout.

Our Score: D+, It’s a Shyamalan movie that can I consider a below average horror film. Unable to hold attention and a stale script. The acting isn’t anything to brag about and wouldn’t be recommended.