The trailers for Devil proclaim “From the mind of M. Night Shyamalan” which seems to be a purposeful attempt to disavow Shyamalan’s involvement in the directing, producing, and writing side of things after previous bombs (Lady in the Water, The Happening). The result: a company called the Night Chronicles, which produces films based on ideas from M. Night that are further developed by other individuals. Devil, the first of the Night Chronicles, overall manages to stay afloat (though at times some bailing is required).
In the film five strangers hop on an elevator together and once it locks up between floors, tensions flare. Detective Bowden and the building’s security watch the group devolve into bickering children through a security camera, only able to speak to them through the one way com system.
I say “devolve,” but there isn’t a transition for these people – as soon as they’re aboard the elevator they quickly reveal themselves to be stupid assholes. Continue reading
The Filmsmith 