The Devil's Advocate

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The Devil's Advocate

R

1997

2h 24m

Mystery & Thriller

Fantasy

Horror

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

65%

Tomatometer

66 Reviews

80%

Popcornmeter

100,000+ Ratings

Aspiring Florida defense lawyer Kevin Lomax (Keanu Reeves) accepts a high-powered position at a New York law firm headed by legal shark John Milton (Al Pacino). As Kevin moves up in the firm's ranks, his wife, Mary Ann (Charlize Theron), has several frightening, mystical experiences that begin to warp her sense of reality. With the stakes getting higher with each case, Kevin quickly learns that his mentor is planning a far greater evil than simply winning without scruples.

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Critics Consensus

Though it is ultimately somewhat undone by its own lofty ambitions, The Devil's Advocate is a mostly effective blend of supernatural thrills and character exploration.

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David Gritten

Daily Telegraph (UK)

Sep 24

Pacino impressionists will have a field day with this material for years to come. The Devil's Advocate may be too long, with an irritatingly drawn-out climax, but for its first 90 minutes Pacino makes it a hoot.

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Michael Bodey

The Age (Australia)

08/06/2024

1.5/5

Devil's Advocate possesses such assets and problems that many will be divided in whether to applaud it for its witless audacity or chastise it for its contemptuous treatment of its audience.

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Jonathan Rosenbaum

Chicago Reader

08/10/2020

At half its present length it might make an OK midnight camp item.

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Matthew Sweet

Independent on Sunday

Sep 24

Devil-as-lawyer is perhaps too obvious. But Devil-as-hairdresser -- now that's genuinely terrifying.

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Philip French

Observer (UK)

Sep 24

That at least 30 minutes too long, The Devil's Advocate is a great deal of fun. It's erotic, knowing, frightening, and extremely well designed.

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Mike Davies

Birmingham Post

Sep 24

It's risible melodrama. But diabolically good fun.

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Nathan Y.

@NathanYatesDouglass Jan 30

I might have given this one 4 stars were it not for the atrocious attempt at a southern accent by Keanu. The pacing is dated (I just watched first time in 2026) and it’s too long and a bit predictable, but still a decent time. Charlize Theron crushes it. The movie is genuinely creepy at moments.

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Hisami M.

@hiSami Jan 26

Wow. Had me on the edge of the seat the whole time

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Calvin T

@Calvin504 Jan 19

Itz been so long I didn't remember anything about it but damn that was good...Al Pacino is a legend PERIOD

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Jack F

@MovieFan111 Jan 16

It was really cheesy, and a terrible performance from Reeves.

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Zane T

@ZaneThind Dec 20

A good movie with stellar performances from Reeves, Pacino and Theron. But that ending made me mad as it just showed me and the audience that it was all a vision. Two plus hours for that is not worth it. Definitely could have been better with a shorter run time with that ending.

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bob c

Nov 30

Pretty good allegorical take on lawyering. Pacino stars and the others revolve around him. Mick Jagger provides a wonderful finale.

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Taylor Hackford

Director

Keanu Reeves

Kevin Lomax

Al Pacino

John Milton

Charlize Theron

Mary Ann Lomax

Jeffrey Jones

Eddie Barzoon

Judith Ivey

Mrs. Alice Lomax

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Synopsis

Aspiring Florida defense lawyer Kevin Lomax (Keanu Reeves) accepts a high-powered position at a New York law firm headed by legal shark John Milton (Al Pacino). As Kevin moves up in the firm's ranks, his wife, Mary Ann (Charlize Theron), has several frightening, mystical experiences that begin to warp her sense of reality. With the stakes getting higher with each case, Kevin quickly learns that his mentor is planning a far greater evil than simply winning without scruples.

Director: Taylor Hackford
Producer: Arnold Kopelson, Anne Kopelson, Arnon Milchan
Screenwriter: Andrew Neiderman, Jonathan Lemkin, Tony Gilroy
Distributor: Warner Bros., Warner Home Vídeo
Production Co: Warner Brothers, Kopelson Entertainment, New Regency Pictures
Rating: R
Genre: Mystery & Thriller, Fantasy, Horror
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Oct 17, 1997, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Aug 15, 2008
Box Office (Gross USA): $61.0M
Runtime: 2h 24m
Sound Mix: SDDS, Surround, DTS, Dolby Digital
Aspect Ratio: 35mm, Scope (2.35:1)

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