Name: The Devil All the Time
Genre: Crime, Drama, Thriller
Released: 2020-09-11T00:00:00+00:00
Cast: Tom Holland, Robert Pattinson, Bill Skarsgård, Riley Keough, Jason Clarke

The rain-soaked, bloodstained pages of a Bible flutter in the wind as Arvin Russell buries his father’s shotgun in the woods—a moment that encapsulates the suffocating weight of faith and violence in The Devil All the Time. Director Antonio Campos’ adaptation of Donald Ray Pollock’s novel is a grim, unflinching exploration of generational trauma, set against the backdrop of post-war Ohio.

What works here is the sheer commitment to its bleak vision. Campos and his cinematographer, Zefyris Boros, drape every frame in a suffocating mist, using muted colors and oppressive lighting to mirror the characters’ moral decay. The performances are uniformly strong, with Robert Pattinson delivering a standout turn as the manipulative Reverend Preston Teagardin, oozing charm and menace in equal measure. Tom Holland, cast against type as Arvin Russell, brings a quiet intensity to the role, grounding the film’s more outlandish moments in emotional truth. Bill Skarsgård, Riley Keough, and Jason Clarke all contribute memorable supporting turns, each embodying the darkest aspects of their characters with chilling precision.

The film’s structure, however, is its Achilles’ heel. Campos and his co-writer struggle to weave together multiple storylines, leading to a narrative that feels convoluted and unevenly paced. The constant shifts in perspective disrupt the momentum, making it difficult to become fully invested in any one character’s journey. Additionally, while the film’s bleakness is palpable, it often tips into self-parody, with scenes of grotesque violence and twisted morality playing out like a particularly dark fairy tale.

Yet, for all its flaws, The Devil All the Time offers moments of genuine power. The final act, in particular, delivers a satisfying payoff, as Arvin’s quiet rage erupts in a wave of cathartic vengeance. It’s here that the film finds its footing, using its grim tableau to explore themes of redemption and the cyclical nature of violence.

In the end, The Devil All the Time is a flawed but fascinating exploration of sin and salvation.