Critic Reviews
-
Nigel Floyd, Time Out
Regrettably, an overblown finale and redundant trick ending undercut the mild subversiveness of what's gone before.
-
Rick Groen, Globe and Mail
[Hackford] seems stuck in a private limbo, unable to decide whether he's making a special-effects flick or a pop-philosophical tract.
-
Mick LaSalle, San Francisco Chronicle
The movie's greatest strength is that it becomes more complex and rewarding as it goes along.
-
Kenneth Turan, Los Angeles Times
Although it's nice for a film to be ambitious, there is such a thing as overreaching.
-
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
The movie never fully engaged me; my mind raced ahead of the plot, and the John Grisham stuff clashed with the Exorcist stuff.
-
Janet Maslin, New York Times
Lurid advance ads for Devil's Advocate make it look ridiculous. It's not.
-
Felix Vasquez Jr., Cinema Crazed
Far too bland and mediocre to really pull off such heavy handed themes...
-
Matt Brunson, Creative Loafing
Outrageously entertaining ... The picture's most superlative turn comes from Charlize Theron, who's a revelation in the first role to really show off her talents.
-
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com
Stylishly seductive and well-acted by Al Pacino and Keanu Reeves, but thematically flawed, Taylor Hackford's film is yet another version of the Faustian morality tale.
-
Maitland McDonagh, TV Guide's Movie Guide
This supremely silly supernatural potboiler is slickly entertaining for just under two hours and absolutely hilarious for 10 minutes near the end...
-
, Film4
This is tongue-in-cheek, fun thriller and a variation on a classic theme -- would you sell your soul to gain the whole world?
-
Robin Clifford, Reeling Reviews
Great fun, with a mildly horrific edge, and a great portrayal of demonic glee by Al Pacino.
-
Dragan Antulov, rec.arts.movies.reviews
Charlize Theron makes an incredibly good impression in the role of a woman with deteriorating mental health.
-
Eugene Novikov, Film Blather
Despite its dull first hour, The Devil's Advocate becomes an OK, recommendable film.
-
John R. McEwen, Film Quips Online
Despite a wooden performance by Keanu Reeves, this is still a thoroughly enjoyable film for those who enjoy an intelligent horror flick.
-
James Rocchi, Netflix
The worst thing about The Devil's Advocate is how it squanders the little chance that it had to be a truly creepy and engaging film.
-
Margaret A. McGurk, Cincinnati Enquirer
A literate meditation on human weakness and a hipped-out horror movie all in one.
-
Jeffrey Westhoff, Northwest Herald (Crystal Lake, IL)
A hell of a lot more fun than any film bearing John Grisham's name.
Read all 18 critic reviews
Featured Audience Ratings
-
Oh boy, where to start with this overblown and silly film? Maybe they thought that people will take seriously this laughably bad concept of satan as a leader of a law firm and a new boss of a young and talented lawyer from Florida. Who knows, maybe they did think that it held… More
Oh boy, where to start with this overblown and silly film? Maybe they thought that people will take seriously this laughably bad concept of satan as a leader of a law firm and a new boss of a young and talented lawyer from Florida. Who knows, maybe they did think that it held potential but the end result is damn sure one hell of a example of a film that tries to swallow more than it actually is capable of.
Things here are not helped that the young and hot headed lawyer is played by Keanu Reeves whose performance does not differ from the work he did in his abysmally bad Bill and Ted's Bogus Journey. And when it comes to Al Pacino as the satan himself, it is once again Pacino doing all the same over the top tricks and gestures as he has done in nearly all of his films. His performance as John Milton, or should i say as a satan, is one his very worst by far.
Director Taylor Hackford tries some interesting visual ideas here but nearly all of them falls flat and feel out of the place. It seems that the main problem of this film is it's own ambition. It just tries so very badly to be so many different things at the same time. It is part courtroom drama, part horror film and part supernatural thriller. None of these elements actually work and none of them really truly add to nothing in the end. Jonathan Lemkin's and Tony Gilroy's screenplay does clearly aim for somekind of loopy structure but seriously it all feels like a bad joke. As a black comedy this could have worked better but Hackford clearly takes this material way too serious and there are hardly any humour to be found from this film, except unintentional certainly.
Yes, there is one creepy scene here involving Charlize Theron that happens in a empty home and of course at the midnight. This kind of scary and hallucinatory scene is what this film would have needed more. Hackford is capable of creating tension and even shock. He just needs material good enough. The Devil's Advocate does not provide that kind of material to Hackford or for us in the audience.
-
The Devil's advocate is a terrifying, well crafted Horror drama that is one of a few last good films starring Al Pacino. The film combines all sorts of elements into one film, and it's a refreshing take on the traditional horror film. I really enjoyed Al Pacino's… More
The Devil's advocate is a terrifying, well crafted Horror drama that is one of a few last good films starring Al Pacino. The film combines all sorts of elements into one film, and it's a refreshing take on the traditional horror film. I really enjoyed Al Pacino's performance here and Keanu Reeves, who usually is one dimensional in his acting abilities, gives a good performance as well. The film feels as if John Grisham and Stephen King would've collaborated on a film and this was the result. A good film with good acting, and an even better story. Al Pacino was definitely a wise choice to play the devil in this film and this is simply a well crafted film with creepy, horrifying elements to it. That makes all the difference. This is a well executed film, one that has plenty of chills and good story development. The film may miss the mark on few occasions, but for the most part, the film succeeds in being a work of pure entertainment that will most likely surprise viewers by Keanu Reeve's good performance. But like I said, Al Pacino really is the actor that delivers the goods on screen; he makes the role his own and steals every scene he's in. I think it's too bad that lately he hasn't done anything good, but Devil's Advocate is one of his last great performances. Devil's Advocate is a fine Motion Picture and is a truly entertaining Horror film that every fan of the genre must see. Truly eerie and atmospheric, Devil's Advocate is a film that will most likely make you sleep depraved for a little while.
-
This movie confirms the myth that lawyers are really demons from Hell. It also has an excellent cast. I really enjoyed this movie, it's very cool, and I highly recommend it.
-
The story was just weird. It got crazy to crazier from the middle. And it's very slow. Keanu's acting was okay but his wink in the beginning looked fake (or weird).
-
i love Al Pacino, and he by far played the best satan ever, i think i follow the storyline, i may have to rewatch it to get the full facts of what its trying to get across.
-
Very nice movie. And nice how it pretty much changes genre in the middle of the movie. Great work by Reeves, Pacino and Theron. They should be happy with what they did
-
Vanity, definitely my favorite sin. (RE-RATED)
-
A stylish, entertaining thriller concerning a hot-shot lawyer (Keanu Reeves) who gets his chance to shine in New York alongside a charismatic boss (Al Pacino), who possesses an evil mind underneath his cool demeanor. With a movie like this, it could've come across as bloated… More
A stylish, entertaining thriller concerning a hot-shot lawyer (Keanu Reeves) who gets his chance to shine in New York alongside a charismatic boss (Al Pacino), who possesses an evil mind underneath his cool demeanor. With a movie like this, it could've come across as bloated (nearly two and a half hours?), absurd, and ultimately distasteful. Instead, director Taylor Hackford actually does a good job getting his audience interested from the get-go by being very slick and fast-moving. Also, by developing its characters well (especially Charlize Theron's) and inserting some clever twists into its storyline, one can't help but say at the end of the movie that one was at least entertained. And that's the point, although it does also contain a well-focused, cynical viewpoint on humanity as a whole that it repeatedly shows through Pacino's speeches and Reeves' actions. Reeves (the most inconsistent actor on the face of this earth) gives a solid turn (despite his horrible accent - I was able to forgive him. A scene with Theron about 2/3 of the way through is the most passion I've seen him show without forcing it) as a man torn between temptation and loyalty, but it's Pacino who really shines as the slithering demonic figure. It's probably worth seeing if you're a big Pacino fan (like myself), since he's a blast in this.
-
Vanity, definitely my favorite sin.
Great perfomance by Al Pacino. I enjoy his movies. Devil begins and wins.
-
A ridiculously idiotic plot, but Al Pacino plays one amazing Satan. The story makes little sense and is extremely corny. Along with that, Keanu Reeves plays another one of his brainless roles. It's just a weird 90s movie that has no real emotion or significance.
-
Al Pacino was very good! I dont know...I may have liked it I may not have...I dont really think i would watch it again...not that good! It was ...I almost want to say "Cheaply" written....I the script was just lacking something...the extra EVIL!
-
Al Pacino in a role that suits his fiery demeanor, with some yellow ass teeth. Good story and script but the Southern accents delivered by Reeves and Theron are below par. Should have cast Tommy Lee Jones in Keanu's role but he's as old as Pacino, wouldn't look… More
Al Pacino in a role that suits his fiery demeanor, with some yellow ass teeth. Good story and script but the Southern accents delivered by Reeves and Theron are below par. Should have cast Tommy Lee Jones in Keanu's role but he's as old as Pacino, wouldn't look fitting.
-
Good film, I liked Pacino?s Satan better than De Niro?s! Charlize Theron is really good too but Keanu Reeves is, Keanu Reeves if you catch my drift.
-
A much better film than I had previously rated it. Certainly one of Keanu Reeves better acting roles (shall we say), with great performances from Al Pacino and Charlize Theron, a film about vanity, ego and the Lawyer theme was a good example choice of how right and wrong are not… More
A much better film than I had previously rated it. Certainly one of Keanu Reeves better acting roles (shall we say), with great performances from Al Pacino and Charlize Theron, a film about vanity, ego and the Lawyer theme was a good example choice of how right and wrong are not necessarily the justification in a material world.
Thought provoking in many ways.
-
"What about love?
- Overrated. Biochemically no different than eating large quantities of chocolate."
The movie starts in a good way, keeps the viewers focus on and is entertaining for most of the time. But then it's time for the end scenes and Pacino's… More
"What about love?
- Overrated. Biochemically no different than eating large quantities of chocolate."
The movie starts in a good way, keeps the viewers focus on and is entertaining for most of the time. But then it's time for the end scenes and Pacino's monologues, which also are perfect examples of overacting at its best/worst.
"The Devil's Advocate" has its moments but it's too inconsistent. The actors do a decent job in overall but the movie lacks something that would've made it memorable.
"Are we negotiating?
- Always."
-
This movie was very unusual in its artistry. I found it to be quite enjoyable and pleasant to watch. Keanu Reeves was perfect as a frustrated, yet dominating lawyer with a conflicting personal life and professional life. The power that Pacino radiates is impressive, and a little… More
This movie was very unusual in its artistry. I found it to be quite enjoyable and pleasant to watch. Keanu Reeves was perfect as a frustrated, yet dominating lawyer with a conflicting personal life and professional life. The power that Pacino radiates is impressive, and a little frightening. After this movie, I felt moved by the incredible emotive wave that possessed me throughout the film. It was very easy to sympathize with Theron, and frankly, Reeves should definitely have paid more attention to her. The special effects were intriguing, the acting wonderful, and the story provocative. I highly recommend this movie.
-
An awsome and incrediable movie. Brilliant, stylish, gripping and very original. A breathtaking edge of your seat supernatural thriller with a double-twist ending that you have to see to belive. Al Pacino gives a unforgettable powerhouse performance. A devilishly charming and witty… More
An awsome and incrediable movie. Brilliant, stylish, gripping and very original. A breathtaking edge of your seat supernatural thriller with a double-twist ending that you have to see to belive. Al Pacino gives a unforgettable powerhouse performance. A devilishly charming and witty character.
-
-
Hot shot Florida defence attorney Keanu Reeves has never lost a case, and so comes to the attention of a New York law firm that is, of course, run by Satan. This is one of those films that has a popularity I've never quite understood; it reminds me of Fallen, in that it's so… More
Hot shot Florida defence attorney Keanu Reeves has never lost a case, and so comes to the attention of a New York law firm that is, of course, run by Satan. This is one of those films that has a popularity I've never quite understood; it reminds me of Fallen, in that it's so ridiculous, yet takes itself so, so seriously. Pacino's speeches are more glib rants than insightful comments on the state of man, playing the Devil like a cross between a used car salesman and a pervy uncle at Christmas time, and Keanu doesn't have the range to make this kind of hokey nonsense believable. The gothic style effects just look silly, and the climax is overly melodramatic to the point of being laughable. The only thing that saves the film for me is Charlize Theron; her character's mental deterioration is easily the best performance and all the best scenes revolve around her. It does have a reasonable twist, and the scenes between Keanu and Pacino do amuse, but other than that, it's just daft.
-
A silly thriller with mildly satirical pretensions, whose plot seems to have been suggested purely by the titular turn of phrase. Entertaining, nevertheless, but I'll stick with "Rosemary's Baby" or "The Omen" for my satanic kicks.
Read all 20 featured audience ratings
Also available on
UltraViolet Retailers
Other Retailers
Subscription Services