The Devil All the Time

Movie Trailer

Release Date
September 16, 2020

Genre
Crime, Drama, Thriller

Cast & Crew

• Tom Holland as Arvin Russell
• Bill Skarsgård as Willard Russell
• Robert Pattinson as Reverend Preston Teagardin
• Riley Keough as Sandy Henderson
• Sebastian Stan as Deputy Lee Bodecker
• Haley Bennett as Charlotte Russell
• Eliza Scanlen as Lenora Laferty
• Jason Clarke as Carl Henderson
• Mia Wasikowska as Helen Hatton

Director
Antonio Campos

Other Movies Director is Known For:

• Christine (2016)
• Simon Killer (2012)
• Afterschool (2008)

Producer
Jake Gyllenhaal
Riva Marker
Randall Poster
Max Born

Writer
Antonio Campos
Paulo Campos
Based on the novel The Devil All the Time by Donald Ray Pollock

Budget
$20 million

Production Company
Borderline Films
Bron Studios
Nine Stories Productions
Netflix

Running Time
138 minutes

Languages
English (Original)

Maturity Rating
R

Content Advisory

• Strong violence
• Disturbing images
• Sexual content
• Language
• Thematic elements involving religion and morality

Movie Story
The Devil All the Time is a dark and atmospheric thriller that weaves together multiple narratives across two decades in rural Ohio and West Virginia. Set in the years following World War II, the film explores the lives of various characters whose fates are intertwined by violence, faith, and the inescapable shadow of their pasts.

The central character is Arvin Russell (Tom Holland), a young man growing up in the small town of Knockemstiff, Ohio. Arvin’s father, Willard Russell (Bill Skarsgård), is a war veteran deeply scarred by his experiences in the Pacific, leading him to commit acts of violence in the name of faith, hoping to protect his family from the horrors he believes are closing in. After Willard’s tragic death, Arvin is left to navigate a world filled with corruption, brutality, and false prophets.

As Arvin grows older, he becomes increasingly aware of the darkness that surrounds him, from the sinister preacher, Reverend Preston Teagardin (Robert Pattinson), who preys on vulnerable young women, to the murderous couple, Carl and Sandy Henderson (Jason Clarke and Riley Keough), who target hitchhikers for their twisted photographic rituals. Another key figure is Deputy Lee Bodecker (Sebastian Stan), a corrupt lawman whose ties to criminal activities put him at odds with Arvin.

The film’s narrative is a grim meditation on the cyclical nature of violence and the moral decay that pervades the lives of its characters. Arvin, determined to protect those he loves, finds himself drawn into a series of increasingly violent confrontations, forced to reckon with his own capacity for violence as he seeks justice in a world where redemption is hard to come by.

Antonio Campos’s direction creates a tense and foreboding atmosphere, with the rural setting and period details adding to the film’s sense of dread and inevitability. The performances, particularly from Tom Holland and Robert Pattinson, bring depth and complexity to their characters, making The Devil All the Time a compelling exploration of the darkness that resides within the human soul.

Special Effects
The Devil All the Time uses practical effects to enhance its gritty and realistic portrayal of violence and decay. The film’s special effects, including makeup and prosthetics, contribute to its dark and unsettling tone, particularly in scenes depicting the physical and emotional toll of violence on the characters. The cinematography, with its muted color palette and careful composition, further emphasizes the bleakness of the setting and the characters’ lives.

Box Office Performance
The Devil All the Time was released exclusively on Netflix, bypassing a traditional theatrical release due to the platform’s distribution model. As a result, box office performance is not applicable. However, the film garnered significant attention on the streaming service, drawing viewers with its star-studded cast and dark, compelling narrative.

Filming Locations

• Birmingham, Alabama, USA
• Anniston, Alabama, USA
• Pell City, Alabama, USA

Notable Quotes

• “There’s a lot of no-good sons of bitches out there.” – Arvin Russell
• “Delusions! Blasphemies! Lies!” – Reverend Preston Teagardin
• “You ever think about how we ended up orphans living in the same house?” – Lenora Laferty

Behind-the-Scenes
Director Antonio Campos worked closely with his brother Paulo Campos to adapt Donald Ray Pollock’s novel, staying true to the book’s themes of violence, faith, and moral decay. The film’s period setting required meticulous attention to detail in production design and costuming, with the rural locations in Alabama standing in for the story’s Ohio and West Virginia settings. The cast, including Tom Holland and Robert Pattinson, underwent significant preparation to embody their complex and often morally ambiguous characters.

Awards

• Nominated for Best Supporting Actor (Robert Pattinson) at the 2021 Saturn Awards
• Nominated for Best Streaming Horror/Thriller Film at the 2021 Saturn Awards

Final Verdict
The Devil All the Time is a haunting and powerful film that delves into the darkness of the human soul, exploring themes of violence, faith, and morality in a world where redemption is elusive. With strong performances, particularly from Tom Holland and Robert Pattinson, and a brooding atmosphere that permeates every scene, the film is a gripping and unsettling experience. While its grim tone may not be for everyone, it’s a must-watch for fans of psychological thrillers and dark, character-driven narratives.

IMDb Rating
7.1/10