Devil -A DVD Review

This movie intrigued me for a few reasons. M Night Shyamalan came up with the story, but didn't write the screenplay. M Night Shyamalan produced it, but didn't direct it. Interesting. But mostly I like a simple concept in a thriller that uses atmosphere and tension over cheap shocks and special effects. Devil may not be the best thriller out there, but it does a nice job of being creepy, atmospheric and fun.

The Poop: Five people enter an elevator, seemingly by chance. I mean, it was by chance wasn't it? Not if you believe that people decide they're own fate by their actions, a message delivered in the beginning of the film by the hero's AA sponsor, the hero being Detective Bowden (Dan Messina), a former alcoholic as a result of the death of his wife and son from a hit-and-run. Bowden is investigating a suicide at the office building of the aforementioned elevator when the occupants of said elevator become stuck between floors. As the elevator power flickers and the lights intermittently go off people begin to die in the darkness. The lights go off, someone dies, the lights come back on, we have another dead body and everyone suspects everyone else. Detective Bowden has the unenviable task of trying to gain access to the elevator while also trying to learn about the passengers, all of whom have questionable pasts. The Devil is on that elevator and we want to know who it is.

The Review: Devil is well written and well acted. The tension is amped up from the opening credits which features a flyover above Philadelphia shown upside-down, a nod to the contrariness of the Devil. It's a clever and effective credit roll. I was immediately sucked into the film looking at the inverted cityscape and the feeling of otherwordlyness it evoked. It might be one of the best films M Night never made. Thanks to the simplicity of the conceit we don't have to worry too much about character development. They're mostly 'types'; The cranky old lady, the young chilly lady, the tough but lovable security guard, the sleazy salesman, and the dark loner. They do their thing effectively and die on cue (most of them...) and they keep things moving while the outside world tries desperately to get them out. Devil made me think of the kind of movie I'd like to write, where you're kept guessing to the end and then you go, "Ah-haa!" I like that. Also the message that we choose our fates as opposed to the randomness of the universe is always fun. If you can make me believe in the Devil, even for an hour and a half then you're doing something right. The climax is possibly the only low point here, but the climax isn't the point, it's all about the journey. We're kept guessing right to the end and the reveal is well done and for me unexpected. Yes it has a twist, but not an annoying Shyamalan twist. I liked Devil. It's a good film. I think you will too. Again, it's not great, but it's good, and this time that's enough.

Devil is currently available on DVD and InDemand. It's worth checking out.