Shyamalan proves his horror worth with 'Devil'

M. Night Shyamalan’s Devil is a claustrophobic and overwrought thriller, offering up a strong footing as the first instalment in his up-and-coming ‘Night Chronicles’ trilogy.

The film works off a supposed old wives tale wherein the devil torments a group of sinners before dragging their souls back with him to hell. Religious and Hispanic security guard, Ramirez, tells the story of how the devil comes to earth, posing as a corrupt human, and brings together this ‘devil’s meeting’. As the story goes, the series of events starts with a suicide and then the eventual deaths of whoever the devil picks to be his victims. In this particular instance, a thug, a blackmailer, a kleptomaniac, a conman and a murderer are all trapped together in an elevator. Unbeknownst to this group of miscreants, the devil is among them.

Sceptical detective and recovering alcoholic, Bowden, is brought to the scene where a lift has mysteriously stuck itself between two floors of a busy city skyscraper. Unable to communicate properly with the elevator’s inhabitants and with limited resource to restore the lift to full workability, all the police and security guards can do is watch the fear unfold on a small surveillance camera. The panic of the five trapped strangers is magnified by their close proximity, so when the lights flicker and the bumping and crashing begins, they are all thrown into a terrifying turmoil. This is when the devil claims his first victim. Starting with the salesman being impaled by the lift mirror, every time the lights go out, someone suffers a gruesome and painful death. To their captive audience, it is instantly assumed that one of the five is a homicidal maniac, biding his/her time and waiting to kill their fellow inmates. Only Ramirez, who thinks he saw the devil’s face flicker on the CCTV footage, is convinced that something supernatural is afoot.

Bowden initially refuses to embrace an idea that defies all logic, but quickly it all becomes too impossible and he starts to think that maybe the devil is behind it all. As the group is rapidly whittled down, Detective Bowden encourages an increased effort to rescue them from certain death.

It soon becomes apparent that the devil doesn’t want anyone interfering in his plans and even causes the death or injury of any innocents that try to get in his way. Not only that but it is ultimately discovered that the viewers watching the events unfold on CCTV aren’t there by mere coincidence either; everything has been carefully orchestrated by the devil.

With a classic ominous horror score and clever cinematography, primarily sweeping upside-down shots of Philadelphia, the film is strengthened by its strong attention to detail. Colours and numbers also play a great significance. Not wanting to ruin the ending on this one, I won’t reveal who the ‘devil’ turns out to be, but I guarantee the film carries off a ritual M. Night twist and will keep you guessing and perpetually on the edge of your seat...

Despite the sceptical comments of the press, Shyamalan storms into the horror genre, emerging a success and proving that Signs and The Sixth Sense weren’t just a couple of flukes. Let’s hope part two of the trilogy (rumoured to be named ‘Reincarnate’) can continue what Shyamalan has started with Devil. If you still have a little bit of faith in this talented writer, or simply need that faith restored, Devil is definitely a must-see. I was shocked that on the second weekend of opening I was sitting in a pretty empty cinema screen. A shame really, as I’d give the film 8/10.