“The Devil All the Time”, based on a novel by the same name and written by Donald Ray Pollock, is the newest psychological thriller to stream on Netflix. Not for the faint of heart, this star-studded cast brings audiences a violent tale spanning multiple families and generations that weave together to form a twisted union in America’s heartland. Robert Pattinson, Bill Skarsgård, Sebastian Stan, Harry Melling, Jason Clarke, and Tom Holland make up this stacked cast, but this level of star power certainly has its pros and cons. The trailer alone is enough to suggest the eerie direction that the film will take, but does little to prepare the audience – especially many of these actor’s young fan bases – for the depths of evil that this story reaches. Riddled with murder, graphic violence, suicide, and sexual content, this film is more than deserving of its R rating – and at least a handful of trigger warnings.
To summarize this film without giving away any spoilers is almost impossible, as the plot doesn’t miss a beat in the nearly 140 minute long run time. Director Antonio Campos managed to springboard off of Pollock’s cynical tale of religion and violence to create a narrative that continues to spiral further and further into a darkness that the story just can’t seem to crawl out of. Bookended by the end of World War II and the beginning of the Vietnam War, the film cycles through its characters and story lines almost as if they’re disposable, just important enough to drive the narrative off the next cliff before being left behind. This relay sprint towards the finish line, narrated by author Donald Ray Pollock himself, keeps viewers on the edge of their seats.
Despite the lack of screen time, Skarsgård delivers a powerful performance as Willard Russell. Willard is trying to navigate his life post-WWII, dealing with his fallout with God and his loss of faith combined with PTSD is no simple task, but soon his wife gives him and his son Arvin (Tom Holland) a reason to pray again. Willard teaches Arvin the importance of his relationship with God and the importance of vengeance – sending Arvin down the path that will come to define his character. Offering a poignant depiction of grief, Skarsgård steals the show in the beginning of the film before handing the attention off to Arvin.
After a number of unspeakable tragedies, Arvin heads back to Coal Creek, West Virginia to live with his grandmother and adopted sister Lenora (Eliza Scanlen), whose mother fell into her own trouble with a spider eating preacher (Harry Melling). As the narrative jumps between story lines we meet Knockemstiff, Ohio Sheriff Lee Bodecker (Sebastian Stan) whose sister Sandy (Riley Keough), known around town for her prostitution, is married to a serial killer (Jason Clarke); and a new preacher (Robert Pattinson) has come to Coal Creek to take over his dying uncle’s church. Pattison’s down-home Tennessee accent certainly threw me for a loop – a hilarious one, at that – and his unexpectedly despicable character was a far cry from the majority of his popular roles ~ R.I.P. Cedric Diggory.
Having read the novel, the adaptation certainly left me wanting for a handful of what I considered to be major plot points that were entirely missing from the film. Not to mention the reorganization of certain parallel stories and relationships that would’ve almost served the story better had they not been included in the film at all. If you’re waiting to watch the movie until after you’ve read the book: don’t. I’m certain that it would serve the story to witness the film in all of its glory before returning to the novel for a fine tuning, and somehow even more violently chaotic ride.
It is obvious from the first few moments of the film that it has a lot to say and this sinister tale is sure to shock you at every turn. Despite its disturbing content, I would have loved to see this as a mini series, allowing the audience to better explore each of the characters and the ties that bind them together. The lack of blockbuster competition in this age of COVID Cinema combined with the powerhouse performances given not only by Skarsgård, but also Holland and Pattinson, is sure to result in this film and its actors receiving a handful of nominations this upcoming awards season. Overall, I enjoyed the movie and it did a decent job of living up to its hype. However, don’t make the mistake of being fooled by the presence of three Marvel superheroes as redemption is certainly not a theme in this grotesque tale.
“The Devil All the Time” is streaming today on Netflix.
Common Man's Critic 