The Devil All the Time Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Spider-Man and Batman fight evil preachers and serial killers in rural Ohio, teaching us that sometimes the real devils are the friends we made along the way.

🍿 The Devil All the Time: Detailed Plot Synopsis

A Dark Beginning in Post-War America

The film opens in the aftermath of World War II, introducing Willard Russell, a traumatized veteran. He meets Charlotte, a kind waitress, and they settle in Knockemstiff, Ohio, where they have a son named Arvin. Their lives are deeply affected by Willard’s intense religious devotion and the darkness he carries within him. This sets the stage for a story steeped in religious fervor and underlying violence.

Intertwining Destinies: Faith and Depravity

Parallel to Willard’s story, we meet Helen and Roy Laferty, a couple consumed by their own extreme religious beliefs. Roy, a preacher, engages in dangerous displays of faith, while Carl and Sandy Henderson embark on a disturbing journey as serial killers. Their paths, seemingly disparate, begin to converge, weaving a tapestry of corruption and moral decay in the heartland of America. The film masterfully portrays how warped interpretations of faith can lead to horrifying acts.

Orphaned and Marked by Violence

Tragedy strikes the Russell family as Charlotte succumbs to cancer. Willard, unable to cope, takes his own life. Arvin is orphaned and sent to live with his grandmother and stepsister, Lenora. Growing up amidst this environment of loss and religious extremism, Arvin learns to navigate a world where violence is often the only answer. The pistol his father gives him becomes a symbol of his inherited burden.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Arvin (Tom Holland): Orphaned as a child, Arvin grows up to be a violent but protective young man seeking justice in a corrupt world.
• Willard (Bill Skarsgård): Arvin’s tormented father, a WWII veteran, struggles with faith and violence.
• Rev. Preston Teagardin (Robert Pattinson): A charismatic yet sinister preacher who manipulates and abuses his position of power.
• Carl (Jason Clarke): A disturbed individual who commits serial murders with his wife, Sandy.
• Sandy (Riley Keough): Carl’s wife and accomplice, who lures victims into their deadly trap.
• Deputy Lee Bodecker (Sebastian Stan): A corrupt sheriff who is also Sandy’s brother and tries to cover up his sister’s crimes.
• Lenora (Eliza Scanlen): Arvin’s stepsister, a devout young woman who becomes a victim of Reverend Teagardin’s abuse.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Narrator: “Years ago, Willard had fitted together a weathered cross above a fallen tree in a small clearing behind his house. He came every morning and evening to talk to God. It seemed to his son that his father fought the Devil all the time.” – This line sets the stage for the film’s themes of faith, violence, and the internal struggles of its characters.
• Willard: “You just gotta have faith.” – Willard says this line reflecting his deep, albeit troubled, faith in God’s plan.
• Lee Bodecker: “Some people were born just so they could be buried.” – Said by the corrupt Sheriff Bodecker, reflecting the bleak and fatalistic outlook on life in the film’s setting.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $35 million
• Domestic Gross: N/A
• Worldwide Gross: N/A

💥 The Devil All the Time Reviews

Personal Review

Okay, wow, this movie was intense! From the very beginning, you just know something bad is going to happen, and it never really lets up. I loved Tom Holland’s performance – it was so different from Spider-Man. The ending was a bit ambiguous, but it really made me think about the cycle of violence and how it affects people. I was really sad and disturbed for a week after.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of neo-noir and Southern Gothic thrillers”
  • “Viewers interested in stories exploring themes of religion, violence, and morality”
  • “Those who appreciate strong ensemble casts and character-driven narratives”
  • “Audiences comfortable with dark and disturbing content”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Graphic violence”
  • “Sexual assault”
  • “Religious themes that may be disturbing to some”
  • “Suicide”
  • “Mature themes and disturbing content”

Professional Reviews

• IndieWire: “Campos conjures up a somber, dark screenplay, packed with numerous storylines and an underlying theme that’s going to cause some controversy. Holland, Keough, and Skarsgård deserve the shoutout due to their genuinely impressive displays.
• Variety: “A grim and compelling neo-noir thriller with a top-notch cast and a haunting atmosphere. The film explores themes of faith, violence, and generational trauma in a backwoods setting.

Audience Reactions

Tom Holland’s dark turn surprised and impressed many viewers.: The stellar cast and their performances were widely praised, despite the movie’s dark and disturbing themes.

Robert Pattinson was creepy as hell as the reverend.: His mannerisms were unsettling and added to the atmosphere

Overall Consensus: A dark and disturbing film with excellent performances, but its slow pace and bleak themes may not appeal to all viewers. It is a well-made movie with a talented cast, but be prepared for a heavy and unsettling experience.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Robert Pattinson developed his character, Rev. Preston Teagardin, by watching videos of televangelists and pop stars from the era.”
• “The film was primarily shot on location in various parts of Alabama, including Montevallo and Anniston, to capture the rural setting of Ohio and West Virginia.”
• “Several reviewers compared the film to other works of art, and some found it boring due to the slow pace.”

🖥️ How to Watch The Devil All the Time?

The Devil All the Time is currently streaming on Netflix. While it’s not available for purchase on physical media, you can often find it available for rent or purchase on platforms like Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check your preferred digital retailer for availability in your region.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed The Devil All the Time, you might like these similar films:

• No Country for Old Men (2007): Both films explore themes of violence, morality, and the dark underbelly of American society, with a similar slow-burn narrative style.
• Winter’s Bone (2010): Features a bleak, rural setting and explores themes of poverty, family loyalty, and survival in a harsh environment.
• The Place Beyond the Pines (2012): Like ‘The Devil All the Time’, it features multiple interconnected storylines exploring the consequences of violence and choices across generations.
• Shotgun Stories (2007): Depicts the story of half-brothers feuding in the American South, showcasing similar themes of family, violence, and desperation.

🛒 The Devil All the Time Related Products

• The Devil All the Time (Novel) by Donald Ray Pollock: The original novel that inspired the movie. Delve deeper into the twisted characters and dark world of Knockemstiff, Ohio.
• The Devil All the Time Movie Poster: A high-quality print of the movie’s evocative poster, capturing the film’s dark and brooding atmosphere. Perfect for fans of neo-noir and southern gothic.
• Ohio T-Shirt: Show your love for the Buckeye state with this shirt. A must have in your wardrobe.
• Devil Halloween Mask: Get devilish with this awesome mask.

🎧 Soundtrack

The Devil All the Time features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Dream” – performed by The Pied Pipers

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

The DEVIL All the Time: Is DUMB or DEEP? In GOD we TRUST – PJ Explained

Curious about the deeper meaning behind The Devil All The Time? Check out this thought-provoking analysis that explores whether the film is ‘dumb or deep’. It’s a great watch for anyone who wants to dive into the movie’s themes and complexities.

Bill Skarsgård (Swedish Interview)

Want to hear from one of the stars of The Devil All The Time? This interview with Bill Skarsgård gives you a glimpse into his thoughts on the movie and his character. It’s a great way to connect with the film on a more personal level.

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