By DAVID MATTESON
From the start of the film to the final credits M. Night Shymalan’s latest installment is nothing but predictable and an absolute waste of money.
Devil begins with five strangers boarding an elevator, which quickly stops in between two floors. While the technicians try to rescue the riders, a series of events leads to the murders of the trapped people. They are the victims of the devil’s rage towards those who commit sin.
The failure of the movie lies in a lack of character analysis. Viewers will not care about the fate of the riders as each is a bad person overall. Empathy towards a character is necessary in order for a movie to create a lasting connection; however, unless one is a murderer, blackmailer or thug then he or she will be unable to understand.
Shymalan’s trademark twist is another resounding disappointment. While his films have had breathtaking endings in the past (e.g. Signs, The Sixth Sense and The Village), Devil’s final scenes fit the director’s pattern as of late: absolute flops. The predictability of this ending is comparable to the ridiculousness of The Happening’s environmental friendly twist.
While the movie overall is disappointing, its gruesome scenes seem realistic and save viewers from absolute boredom. The gory murders of each rider keep the audience in suspense as to who and how they will die.
If searching for the next hit thriller to keep one on the edge of his or her seat, don’t place bets on Devil. The film’s predictability and inability to form a lasting impression make this movie an absolute flop. One out of Five Stars