Devil's Playground poster & wallpaper
Get movie widget Recommend it Add to Favorites

Velda Bontrager, Joann Hochstetler, Emma Miller, Faron Yoder, Gerald Yutzy

Lucy Walker directed this documentary about a little-known facet of Amish life. Although the Amish live in traditionally conservative enclaves, shunning modern conveniences and electricity while favor... read more read more...ing a strict code of conduct and dress, they do have a moment in their lives known as "rumspringa." When an Amish child turns 16, they are allowed to interact with and take part in life away from their upbringing. This film follows a handful of teenagers as they break from their past and experiment with drinking, drugs, and driving (possibly for the only time in their lives). Devil's Playground was screened at the 2002 Sundance Film Festival. ~ Perry Seibert, Rovi

Flixster Users

69% liked it

4,746 ratings

Critics

56% liked it

9 critics

Unrated, 1 hr. 16 min.

Directed by: Lucy Walker

Release Date: January 1, 2002

Invite friends to see

DVD Release Date: February 4, 2003

Stats: 335 reviews

report incorrect info

Photos

None yet... Got one?

Your Rating


clear rating

Flixster Reviews (335)

  • kenstachnik
    March 11, 2011
    kenstachnik
    Proves pretty definitively that teenagers are teenagers no matter how they're raised.
  • fb619846742
    September 15, 2009
    fb619846742
    An occasionally interesting documentary chronicling the lives of five different individuals who try to experience life in the "real world" once they are given the opportunity to abandon their Amish roots. While the film is definitely surprising and compelling in parts, it fails t... read moreo achieve a balance between its people involved, centering in on one more than the others (that being Faron), making the whole film feel sort of off-balanced from beginning to end. While it's definitely shocking to see how these individuals break away so fast, and in some cases, dangerously fast, the film makes it seem like their people's personal problems is what was their main downfall, when in reality, since most Amish kids don't have anything past a high school education, they, are essentially screwed from the start when it comes to hoping to fulfilling a successful lifestyle.
  • puffchunk
    December 2, 2008
    puffchunk
    Very well done. Nothing like seeing Amish kids deal crack.
  • fb1144932598
    March 5, 2010
    fb1144932598
    A rare, intimate look into the lives of a group of Amish kids during the period, at age 16, when they are allowed to sample what life has to offer in the "English" world. The Amish are a sect apart and that separation is what is on view here. Unique in their approach to their chi... read moreldren is the Rumspringa, based on the idea that the choice to be baptized and to adhere to the Amish way of life must be undertaken freely and upon one's attaining the age of "accountability". These teens are not meant to be representative, as the film clearly states that 90% of Rumspringa teens return to the faith, but were most likely chosen because they pointed up the conflicts inherent in making that choice. What made this film interesting was to watch the indecision, the changing of minds, the pain that accompanied their choice no matter which way they went. Of particular interest was the story of Velda, whose choices led to her being ostracized by the community. This may not be definitive, but for one only somewhat familiar with the customs, this proved to be quite intriguing.
  • Jossepi
    January 24, 2008
    Jossepi
    Everything about the Amish people you want to know. This movie will shock you and change your view on the Amish. A must watch documentary film.
  • KLFilmmaker
    September 23, 2007
    KLFilmmaker
    I expected a lot more from this one. Still an interesting look at Amish culture.
  • trisarahtops22
    July 25, 2007
    trisarahtops22
    Definately shed some light on the amish community - it answered a lot of questions, but also opened the door to even more curiosity of the Amish
  • iamthethinman
    October 20, 2011
    iamthethinman
    The movie of legend.

    This is a great, rather enlightening documentary I saw way too late. Too many movies teased and ruined this idea for me. But this movie does get it right what the stories to tell and who to follow. Even more so, this makes me respect the Amish community so m... read moreuch more because their kids can also be such giant idiots, yet they seem to be so much more understanding of the fact that kids will do stupid stuff and have to learn from it. Now getting it all out at the same time, maybe I would rethink that a bit, but a fascinating observation point.

    There will be a curiosity factor, which should be there. And for that alone, this movie is worth watching. For the arcs that are told almost to a perfect narrative level, this is worth watching. For just the laughs alone, watch it. And maybe even because it is a well crafted doc with good editing and sense of when and what to show, watch it.
  • ijustgottabeme
    January 12, 2008
    ijustgottabeme
    A stunning & genuinely surprising documentary. When i rented this my friend & i kept making fun of it calling it "Amish Kids Gone Wild!" It started interestingly enough with a slightly comedic string of teens saying what happens during rumspringa. A period i was not aware of that... read more allows them to explore the "English" world and decide whether or not to officially join the church. The belief that baptizing infants isn't right because an infant cannot truly chose is interesting & something i can agree with. The teens featured are so jarringly real you can't help but connect & realize that teens are teens. My preconception of the amish was turned on it's head. Farron's segments took the documentary into dark places i never expected. The amish to me have always had this weird almost parodical label in my mind. Learning a bit about their beliefs and that they may choose to stay or leave give me new insight & respect into their religion. Never would i join such a stringent religion (or organized religion in general) but respect them for their tenacity.
  • jolac9677
    November 18, 2007
    jolac9677
    Thought-provoking. Interesting to see how the Amish allow their teens to stray during this rite-of-passage.

View All Devil's Playground Reviews

Critic Reviews

Martin Scribbs
June 13, 2004
Martin Scribbs, Low IQ Canadian

Devil's Playground is a classic exposition of the choice between freedom and order, between a closed society and an open one. Full Review

Michael W. Phillips, Jr.
March 7, 2004
Michael W. Phillips, Jr., Goatdog's Movies

More an Amish reality show than a serious look into the topic. Full Review

John A. Nesbit
November 12, 2003
John A. Nesbit, Old School Reviews

a reasonably entertaining and extremely insightful 77-minute examination of Amish culture, giving us privy to a world we'd never otherwise experience Full Review

Marcy Dermansky
October 24, 2003
Marcy Dermansky, About.com

Lucy Walker neither criticizes, romanticizes nor patronizes her subject. Full Review

Christopher Null
January 29, 2003
Christopher Null, Filmcritic.com

Dangerously close to Jerry Springer and Girls Gone Wild material. Full Review

December 6, 2005
Film Threat

Click to read the article Full Review

Emanuel Levy
October 7, 2005
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com

No review available.

Eric D. Snider
February 27, 2003
Eric D. Snider, EricDSnider.com

Click to read the article Full Review

February 27, 2003
Film Threat

Click to read the article Full Review

Frank Wilkins
June 5, 2004
Frank Wilkins, Frank's Reel Reviews

Click to read the article Full Review

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Cast

More Like This

Click a thumb to vote on that suggestion, or add your own suggestions.

  • Plain Truth
    Plain Truth (0%)
  • Jesus Camp
    Jesus Camp (30%)

More Movies like Devil's Playground

Facts

No facts approved yet. Be the first

Devil's Playgroun... : Watch Free on TV

Movie Quizzes

No quizzes for Devil's Playground. Want to create one?

Video Clips

No video clips yet. Want to upload one?

Meet Other Fans

Add Devil's Playground to favorites

Recent News

No recent headlines. Got one?

Recent Lists

Make a List |

View All Lists

Most Popular Skin

No skins yet. Interested in creating one?