WISE Score
Avg. Tomatometer
Five strangers get stuck in a Philadelphia elevator, and things go from awkward to 'one of us is literally Satan' real fast.
6.349%
44
Devil is a lean, 80-minute supernatural thriller that does exactly what it says on the tin. It's not high art, and the critics weren't exactly lining up to give it awards, but it’s a serviceable 'shiver-fest' for a Friday night.
It works best as a gateway for teens who are starting to show interest in the horror genre. The stakes are clear, the runtime is short, and the mystery of who is actually the 'Devil' keeps it engaging enough to overlook some of the cheesier dialogue.
Best for kids 13 and up who can handle the tension of a 'scary' movie without being scarred by it. It’s a classic 'entry-level' horror film—intense, but mostly avoiding the extreme gore of R-rated slashers.
The plot centers on a supernatural entity punishing people for their 'sins' through violent means. While it touches on repentance, the tone is grim and judgmental.
A solid 'bottle' movie concept that uses a single, cramped location to build tension. The supernatural mystery elements add a layer of intrigue beyond a standard thriller.
Standard PG-13 horror fare with jump scares, flickering lights, and several deaths. It deals with intense claustrophobia and religious dread which can be highly unsettling for younger viewers.
It attempts a moral arc regarding accountability and forgiveness, though these themes are secondary to the scares and the 'whodunnit' mystery.
Released in 2010, Devil was intended to be the first in a trilogy of films called 'The Night Chronicles,' where M. Night Shyamalan would provide the story and produce, while letting up-and-coming directors take the helm. While the trilogy never quite materialized as planned, this first entry remains a fascinating example of how to make a lot out of a little.
Filming almost entirely in an elevator is a technical nightmare, but directors John Erick and Drew Dowdle manage to keep the camera angles fresh enough that you don't get bored. The movie relies heavily on the 'Ten Little Indians' trope—characters being picked off one by one—but adds the supernatural layer that someone in the room isn't actually human.
For parents, the biggest win here is that the movie is relatively 'clean' for a horror film. Most of the violence happens when the lights go out, meaning you see the aftermath rather than the act itself. This keeps it firmly in the PG-13 camp. It also deals with themes of guilt and the idea that our past actions have consequences, which can actually lead to some decent post-movie chats about accountability.
It's not a masterpiece, and some of the logic towards the end gets a bit stretchy, but if your kid is asking to watch something 'scary' and you aren't ready to let them dive into The Exorcist or Hereditary, this is a very safe middle ground.
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