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Keanu Reeves, Al Pacino, Charlize Theron, Jeffrey Jones, Judith Ivey ... see more see more... , Monica Keena , Connie Nielsen , Craig T. Nelson , Tamara Tunie , Ruben Santiago-Hudson , Debra Monk , Vyto Ruginis , Laura Harrington , Pamela Gray , Heather Matarazzo , Delroy Lindo , Gloria Lynne Henry , George Wyner

Supernatural forces hover over the courtroom in this devilish drama adapted from the novel by Andrew Neiderman. Attorney Kevin Lomax (Keanu Reeves) doesn't heed the Bible-based warnings of his mother ... read more read more...(Judith Ivey), who views New York City as "the dwelling place of demons." Instead, he leaves Gainesville, Florida, with his wife Mary Ann (Charlize Theron) to put his legalistic skills to the test at a leading Manhattan law firm run by John Milton (Al Pacino). It all goes smoothly -- with Milton urging them to stay, putting Kevin on a $400-per-hour salary, and moving the couple into a luxurious apartment in his own building on Fifth Avenue -- where Mary Ann falls under the influence of neighbor Jackie (Tamara Tunie). After Kevin defends a weird animal sacrificer (Delroy Lindo, uncredited), he moves up to an important case with an apparent murderer, real-estate tycoon Alexander Cullen (Craig T. Nelson). Ignored by Kevin, the troubled Mary Ann has some disturbing experiences, verging on the occult, while Kevin, at work, becomes attracted to redhead Christabella (Connie Neilsen). Dazzled by his entrance into paradise, Kevin doesn't grasp who handed him this Big-Apple success. Could it be...Satan? The film features demonic creatures by Rick Baker. Cameos (Senator Alfonse D'Amato, Don King, others) add to the ambiance of ambition and power in the canyons of Manhattan. ~ Bhob Stewart, Rovi

Flixster Users

78% liked it

205,867 ratings

Critics

67% liked it

45 critics

R, 2 hr. 10 min.

Directed by: Taylor Hackford

Release Date: October 17, 1997

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DVD Release Date: November 16, 1998

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Stats: 8,026 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (8,026)

  • TheDudeLebowski65
    August 15, 2011
    TheDudeLebowski65
    The Devil's advocate is a terrifying, well crafted Horror drama that is one of a few last good films starring Al Pacino. The film combines all sorts of elements into one film, and it's a refreshing take on the traditional horror film. I really enjoyed Al Pacino's performance here... read more and Keanu Reeves, who usually is one dimensional in his acting abilities, gives a good performance as well. The film feels as if John Grisham and Stephen King would've collaborated on a film and this was the result. A good film with good acting, and an even better story. Al Pacino was definitely a wise choice to play the devil in this film and this is simply a well crafted film with creepy, horrifying elements to it. That makes all the difference. This is a well executed film, one that has plenty of chills and good story development. The film may miss the mark on few occasions, but for the most part, the film succeeds in being a work of pure entertainment that will most likely surprise viewers by Keanu Reeve's good performance. But like I said, Al Pacino really is the actor that delivers the goods on screen; he makes the role his own and steals every scene he's in. I think it's too bad that lately he hasn't done anything good, but Devil's Advocate is one of his last great performances. Devil's Advocate is a fine Motion Picture and is a truly entertaining Horror film that every fan of the genre must see. Truly eerie and atmospheric, Devil's Advocate is a film that will most likely make you sleep depraved for a little while.
  • ajv2688
    August 11, 2011
    ajv2688
    This movie confirms the myth that lawyers are really demons from Hell. It also has an excellent cast. I really enjoyed this movie, it's very cool, and I highly recommend it.
  • 3niR
    May 14, 2011
    3niR
    The story was just weird. It got crazy to crazier from the middle. And it's very slow. Keanu's acting was okay but his wink in the beginning looked fake (or weird).
  • FiLmCrAzY
    February 20, 2011
    FiLmCrAzY
    i love Al Pacino, and he by far played the best satan ever, i think i follow the storyline, i may have to rewatch it to get the full facts of what its trying to get across.
  • TheGame90
    October 26, 2010
    TheGame90
    Very nice movie. And nice how it pretty much changes genre in the middle of the movie. Great work by Reeves, Pacino and Theron. They should be happy with what they did
  • Gx7
    September 19, 2010
    Gx7
    Vanity, definitely my favorite sin. (RE-RATED)
  • fb619846742
    August 22, 2010
    fb619846742
    A stylish, entertaining thriller concerning a hot-shot lawyer (Keanu Reeves) who gets his chance to shine in New York alongside a charismatic boss (Al Pacino), who possesses an evil mind underneath his cool demeanor. With a movie like this, it could've come across as bloated (nea... read morerly two and a half hours?), absurd, and ultimately distasteful. Instead, director Taylor Hackford actually does a good job getting his audience interested from the get-go by being very slick and fast-moving. Also, by developing its characters well (especially Charlize Theron's) and inserting some clever twists into its storyline, one can't help but say at the end of the movie that one was at least entertained. And that's the point, although it does also contain a well-focused, cynical viewpoint on humanity as a whole that it repeatedly shows through Pacino's speeches and Reeves' actions. Reeves (the most inconsistent actor on the face of this earth) gives a solid turn (despite his horrible accent - I was able to forgive him. A scene with Theron about 2/3 of the way through is the most passion I've seen him show without forcing it) as a man torn between temptation and loyalty, but it's Pacino who really shines as the slithering demonic figure. It's probably worth seeing if you're a big Pacino fan (like myself), since he's a blast in this.
  • ScoopOnline
    December 13, 2009
    ScoopOnline
    Vanity, definitely my favorite sin.

    Great perfomance by Al Pacino. I enjoy his movies. Devil begins and wins.
  • ythelastman89
    November 24, 2009
    ythelastman89
    A ridiculously idiotic plot, but Al Pacino plays one amazing Satan. The story makes little sense and is extremely corny. Along with that, Keanu Reeves plays another one of his brainless roles. It's just a weird 90s movie that has no real emotion or significance.
  • MissMorganLeee
    October 12, 2009
    MissMorganLeee
    Al Pacino was very good! I dont know...I may have liked it I may not have...I dont really think i would watch it again...not that good! It was ...I almost want to say "Cheaply" written....I the script was just lacking something...the extra EVIL!

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Critic Reviews

Rick Groen
July 12, 2002
Rick Groen, Globe and Mail

[Hackford] seems stuck in a private limbo, unable to decide whether he's making a special-effects flick or a pop-philosophical tract. Full Review

Mick LaSalle
June 18, 2002
Mick LaSalle, San Francisco Chronicle

The movie's greatest strength is that it becomes more complex and rewarding as it goes along. Full Review

Kenneth Turan
February 14, 2001
Kenneth Turan, Los Angeles Times

Although it's nice for a film to be ambitious, there is such a thing as overreaching. Full Review

Roger Ebert
January 1, 2000
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

The movie never fully engaged me; my mind raced ahead of the plot, and the John Grisham stuff clashed with the Exorcist stuff. Full Review

Mike Clark
January 1, 2000
Mike Clark, USA Today

As the movie approaches 2 1/4 hours, it begins feeling like eternal damnation.

Charles Taylor
January 1, 2000
Charles Taylor, Salon.com

The picture starts off slick and amusing, gets convoluted, draggy and strange round about the midway point, and ends up just plain ludicrous. Full Review

James Berardinelli
January 1, 2000
James Berardinelli, ReelViews

A highly enjoyable motion picture that's part character study, part supernatural thriller, and part morality play. Full Review

Janet Maslin
January 1, 2000
Janet Maslin, New York Times

Lurid advance ads for Devil's Advocate make it look ridiculous. It's not. Full Review

Emanuel Levy
July 1, 2011
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com

Stylishly seductive and well-acted by Al Pacino and Keanu Reeves, but thematically flawed, Taylor Hackford's film is yet another version of the Faustian morality tale. Full Review

Maitland McDonagh
August 24, 2008
Maitland McDonagh, TV Guide's Movie Guide

This supremely silly supernatural potboiler is slickly entertaining for just under two hours and absolutely hilarious for 10 minutes near the end... Full Review

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

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Facts

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    • John Milton: Vanity, definitely my favorite sin.
    • John Milton: You were right about one thing. I have been watching. Couldn't help myself. Watching, waiting, holding my breath. But I'm no puppeteer, Kevin. I don't make things happen. Doesn't work like that.
    • John Milton: The law, my boy, puts us into everything. It's the ultimate backstage pass. It's the new priesthood, baby. Did you know there are more students in law school than lawyers walking the Earth?
    • John Milton: Law is the ultimate backstage pass. There are now more students in law schools than lawyers walking the streets.
    • John Milton: Don't get too cocky, my boy. No matter how good you are, don't ever let them see you coming. That's the gaffe, my friend. You gotta keep yourself small. Innocuous. Be the little guy. You know, the nerd... the leper... shit-kickin' serf. Look at me. Underestimated from day one. You'd never think I was a master of the universe, now would ya?
    • John Milton: Free will. It's like butterfly wings: once touched, they never get off the ground. No, I only set the stage. You pull your own strings.
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The Devil's Advocate Trivia

  • Quote: "Vanity, my favorite sin". Name the movie.  Answer »
  • Name the movie that features this exchange: "What about love?" "Overrated--biochemically no different than eating large quantities of chocolate."  Answer »
  • The newest attorney at the world's most powerful law firm has never lost a case..But he's about to lose his soul.  Answer »
  • In waht movie did Al Pacino play the devil?  Answer »
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