Name: The Devil's Advocate
Genre: Horror, Drama, Mystery
Released: 1997-10-17T00:00:00+00:00
Cast: Keanu Reeves, Al Pacino, Charlize Theron, Jeffrey Jones, Judith Ivey

The moment John Milton (Al Pacino) stands atop a church in New York City, arms outstretched as if embracing the world, declaring “I live here now,” is one of the most audacious shots in 1990s cinema. Taylor Hackford’s The Devil’s Advocate (1997) doesn’t just flirt with the supernatural; it dives headfirst into a Faustian tale wrapped in a courtroom drama, all while wearing its pulp sensibilities proudly. Based on Andrew Neiderman’s novel, the film is a curious blend of genres—horror, drama, and mystery—that straddles the line between high-concept thriller and B-movie spectacle.

At its core, The Devil’s Advocate follows Kevin Lomax (Keanu Reeves), a defense attorney from Gainesville, Florida, who has never lost a case. His meticulous preparation and unyielding dedication to his clients have earned him a reputation as a rising star in the legal world. When he is offered a job at a prestigious New York law firm headed by the enigmatic John Milton (Al Pacino), Kevin sees it as an opportunity to take his career to new heights. However, as he becomes more entangled in the cutthroat world of high-stakes litigation, Kevin begins to suspect that there is something far more sinister lurking beneath the surface.

What makes The Devil’s Advocate compelling is its willingness to embrace its own absurdity while still delivering genuine scares and thought-provoking moments. The film’s early courtroom scenes are tense and well-crafted, with Reeves’ Kevin exuding a quiet intensity that makes his eventual unraveling all the more compelling. The legal drama aspects of the film are handled with a sense of authenticity, grounded in the real-world stakes of defending clients who may or may not be guilty.

Charlize Theron, in one of her early roles, delivers a standout performance as Mary Ann Lomax, Kevin’s wife. Her portrayal of a woman torn between faith and love adds a layer of emotional depth to the film. Theron’s chemistry with Reeves is palpable, and their scenes together are some of the most emotionally resonant in the film.

However, it is Al Pacino who truly steals the show. His performance as John Milton oscillates between magnetic charm and over-the-top villainy. Pacino’s Milton is a character who revels in his own cunning, a man who sees the world as a game to be won at any cost. There are moments where his hamminess undercuts the film’s dramatic tension, but there are also scenes—like his slow reveal in the church or his whispered “I’m not your father” to Kevin—that are pure cinema, dripping with malevolence and gravitas.

The film’s production design and early CGI work bring the supernatural elements to life with a visual flair that hasn’t aged too poorly. The scenes in Hell, though cheesy by today’s standards, have a nightmarish quality that lingers long after they’re over. The soundtrack, filled with eerie choirs and haunting melodies, amplifies the film’s sense of dread.

However, The Devil’s Advocate isn’t without its flaws. The pacing is uneven, with some subplots (like Kevin’s relationship with his mother) feeling underdeveloped or tacked on. The film’s lofty ambitions—its attempt to be both a supernatural thriller and a moral allegory—sometimes work against it, resulting in a narrative that feels bloated and occasionally incoherent.

The ending is where the film truly stumbles. While the shower scene is iconic, the final reveal—that Kevin has taken Milton’s place as the Devil—feels rushed and unsatisfying. It undercuts much of the moral ambiguity that preceded it, reducing the film’s themes to a simplistic good-versus-evil dichotomy.

Despite its flaws, The Devil’s Advocate remains a fascinating curiosity—a film that straddles the line between B-movie schlock and high-concept horror. It is a movie that demands to be seen, if only for Pacino’s electrifying performance and the film’s unapologetic embrace of its own excesses.

In many ways, The Devil’s Advocate is a product of its time. Released in 1997, it arrived at a moment when Hollywood was experimenting with genre-blending and high-concept storytelling. The film’s themes of temptation, corruption, and the eternal struggle between good and evil are timeless, but its execution feels very much of the ’90s.

The film is likely to appeal to fans of supernatural thrillers and legal dramas alike. Those who enjoy films like Fallen (1998) or The Firm (1993) will find plenty to appreciate in The Devil’s Advocate. However, viewers looking for a more nuanced exploration of its themes may be left wanting.

Ultimately, The Devil’s Advocate is a film that is greater than the sum of its parts. It is a messy, ambitious, and at times absurdly entertaining ride through the darkest recesses of the human soul.