A Journey Into Primal Terror

Rating: Null/10 (30 October 1999)

Devil's Advocate kept me awake. I mention this because it is so unusual. I find that most of what people call "horror" on film to be laughable. I did not laugh at Devil's Advocate. It was disturbing. The subject of evil and terror is so well handled. This movie preys upon your deep, primal fears. The shadow that has no source. The noise with no explanation. The sense of evil that flickers at the edge of your awareness, but is gone before you can identify it. The Devil is not your typical "horns and pitchfork" caricature. Al Pacino portrays him masterfully as suave, witty, sophisticated, and utterly evil. He plays with the minds of men for his amusement, and has them killed without hesitation. . But the movie is still well worth watching. Make no mistake, this movie will have an impact. Just be prepared to leave the lights on when you go to bed.