We’ve heard it all before, there are always consequences to our actions. It may be a while in coming, but it will surely come. The scary thing about it is we all do bad things every now and then, some worse, much worse than others, but sooner or later we’ve got to pay; how we pay is another thought. And basically that’s what “Devil” is all about.
If you have a thing about elevators, but you gotta go to the 21st floor, or the 33rd floor take a look at the people in the elevator with you. Look them in the eyes, and see if you can see into their souls … okay, okay, I’m just trying to scare you. But for real, “Devil” can do for elevators with “Jaws” did for swimming in the ocean.
Five strangers in Philadelphia begin their day with the most common place routine: They walk into an office tower and enter an elevator. As they convene in this single place, they are forced to share a confined space with strangers. Nobody acknowledges anybody else. They’ll only be together for a few moments. But what appears to be a random occurrence is anything but coincidental, when the car becomes stuck. Fate has come calling. Today these strangers will have their secrets revealed, and face a reckoning for their transgressions.
Bokeem Woodbine stars as Ben, one of the five characters trapped in the elevator. Ben is a security guard, a temp at that, and on his second day of the job. He’s got a lot to lose. He is hot tempered, has a troubled life, but he’s holding it together and the last thing he needs is a lot of crap. This job is important to him; he has a lot to prove to his family and the powers that be.
The one thing the people who entered the high rise building that day didn’t know was a suicide had taken place the evening before on the roof, and as a result an uninvited guest decided to stop by and collect some unsuspecting souls.
The film is expertly narrated by a security guard in a control booth that televises the action in the elevator. The guard speaks of an old folk tale about the devil and everyone dismisses it as superstition … in the beginning.
“Devil” a clever story of how all our lives are entwined in someway. And if by chance you do real harm to another human being and you think you’ve gotten away with it … think again.
It’s been a while since we’ve seen Woodbine on the big screen. An extremely talented actor, Woodbine says he jumped at the chance to work in an M. Night Shyamalan film.
“Devil” is the first installment of “The Night Chronicles,” a series of terrifying stories conceived by Shyamalan (The Sixth Sense, Signs) that he is now turning into movies with up-and-coming filmmakers.
Bokeem grew up in Harlem and made his feature film debut at age 20 in Forest Whitaker’s directorial debut, “Strapped.” Since then, he has amassed an impressive string of credits in a variety of film projects.
He has worked with some of the most well-regarded directors in the business including Michael Bay, the Hughes brothers, Ted Demme and Taylor Hackford. He has appeared in dramas such as “Ray,” and Spike Lee’s “Crooklyn.”
Woodbine has also given memorable television performances on award-winning shows including “The Sopranos” and, for two seasons, played a series lead on the hit TNT series “Saving Grace.” He will next appear in the dramatic thriller “Little Murder,” opposite Josh Lucas and Terrence Howard.
“Devil” is the kind of scary movie that makes you think. It’s in theaters now.
Gail can be reached at gail@hollywoodbychoice.com.
