The dark tale The Devil All the Time was released on Netflix on September 16, 2020. Set in the 1950’s and ‘60s, the film follows how sin and trauma are passed down from generation to generation. The film is a cycle of violence where religion connects and controls all of the characters.

      The film opens with Willard Russell, a young soldier played by Bill Skarsgard, who is scarred by the sight of the crucifiction of another soldier in World WarⅡ. This horrific scene serves as the catalyst for fear and violence the rest of Willard’s life. A decade later, we see Willard married and father of a 9-year-old son named Arvin, who is played by Micheal Banks Repeta. When Willard’s wife dies of cancer, scarred by the grueling sight from his days at war, he believes through prayer and sacrifice he can bring his wife back. The result is him killing the family dog and eventually himself leaving Arvin an orphan. It is not until about 45 minutes into the movie that we get into the main plot where Arvin is a teenager played by Tom Holland. Navigating through life, Arvin is devoted to halting all evil as he protects his step sister Lanora Kaferty (Eliza Scanlen), keeps an eye on preacher and sexual predator Reverend Preston Teagardin (Robert Pattinson), and becomes involved with photographer and serial killer Carl Henderson (Jason Clarke).

     Tom Holland trades in his Queens accent and spidey suit for a back-woods West Virginian tone and the role of a troubled orphan. Holland does an excellent job of executing Arvin’s innocence and rage. The film highlights Holland’s versatility as an actor as it shows he can do more than superhero-esque stuff and it proves he can handle violent and disturbing material. Robert Pattinson, the soon to be new Batman, known for the charming Edward Cullen in the Twilight series, plays Reverend Preston Teagardin. The Reverend is a sexual predator and Pattinson surprises the audience with how well he can play creepy and portray a Southern drawl. In the midst of a violent and hard to understand plot, Holland and Pattinson’s high-level acting are the glue to this film.

     The film was a jigsaw puzzle, difficult to solve. There were too many side stories that took away from Arvin’s plot and were hard to follow. It was hard to digest how the photographer/serial killer, the Reverend, a sheriff and his killer sister, all tied back to Arvin. Much of the movie was dragged on. The first 45 minutes, which consisted of Arvin’s father Willard’s past, could have been shortened to 15 minutes to get to the main plot of the film. Although the film is driven by violence, there was so much of it that it hindered character development.

     The message of the film is dark as it suggests humans are capable of horrific behavior. It also suggests that inner violence can be passed from generation to generation. If anything can be taken away from this film, it is to be able to control one’s inner anger.

      Overall, The Devil All the Time is held together by Tom Holland and Robert Pattinson. This film is definitely for those who like weird and creepy. This psychological thriller may be one of Netflix’s darkest films.

Rating: ★★☆☆☆

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