Devil Review: Devil would make Mr. Hitchcock smile

Devil. A story comes from the mind of Academy Award nominated writer/director/producer M.Night Shyamalan. It’s a new thriller and it’s about a group of strangers trapped in an elevator who realize that the Devil may be among them.

M.Night Shyamalan showed us in the past that spirits can be scary. Made us believe in ourselves that superheroes walk the earth. He revealed to us the mysteries behind the crop circles. Also warned us from entering the woods for that’s where the creatures wait. Then, Shyamalan showed us what really lives under the water. And, then the green effect, showing that they can turn on us anytime.

Now, Shyamalan’s mind thought to bring us a thriller which is set in a elevator. I wonder what comes next from the mind of M.Night Shyamalan. I am always looking forward for next Shyamalan story. From the beginning until now, Mr. Shyamalan brought us nothing, yet original ideas, characters, new premise, suspense, horror and always made us to question ourselves. And, Our faith. His films are made to not only enjoy, but to think about the messages they deliver. M.Night Shyamalan’s films are not to always about grabbing your girlfriend or boyfriend and eat pop-corn.

There is a spooky feeling when his films starts. From the moment the title appears and then fades out you know you are jumping to a different world. And, DEVIL is no different. Right from the beginning shot of the upside down city with a suspenseful music which gets the suspense injected into your mind and you will naturally feel like an individual who is eager to see more. To find out what’s next. Don’t move or disturb me feeling comes in as you want to find out what’s going to happen. Who is who? Why these characters are here and why are they looking at each other?

Proud of our director John Erick Dowdle and our screenwriter Brian Nelson for paying attention to M.Night Shyamalan’s taste. Mr. Dowdle’s previous films Quarantine and Poughkeepsie tapes are good, yet they don’t have that Shyamalanish feeling in them. Mr. Dowdle has directed a film for Shyamalan which made Shyamalan smile for sure and if Mr. Alfred Hitchcock would be alive today, Devil would make him smile, too.

The film is about 1hour and 20 minutes long which is not a complaining and I am sure no one will complain about it. It’s a perfect length for this type of story. The score by Fernando Velázquez is eerie. And, Mr. Tak Fujimoto’s cinematography is wildly making circles within the film’s set. Mr. Fujimoto’s camera is vertiginous and giddy.

Overall, DEVIL is a fun ride and it’s one of those films that will stay with you for long times because of the story, performances, dialogues, music, cinematography and direction. Nothing quite like it when you are trapped in a elevator or any other place when Devil chooses you without your consent. Mr. Shyamalan has proved it once again that originality matters. It’s funny when it was stated and published that Shyamalan’s career is over. It’s just the beginning. Shyamalan played a twist with us. He is still here writing, producing and directing. I am looking now forward  to the second chapter for Night Chronicle supernatural thriller “Reincarnate”.

Rate: 8.5/10

Rohan – MNightfans.com