“The Devil’s Advocate” (1997) is a psychological thriller that blends elements of drama and horror, directed by Taylor Hackford and starring Keanu Reeves and Al Pacino. Based on the novel of the same name by Andrew Neiderman, the film explores deep themes of morality, ambition, and the cost of success.
The plot follows Kevin Lomax (Keanu Reeves), a young lawyer who, after winning a major case, is drawn to a prestigious law firm in New York City led by the enigmatic John Milton (Al Pacino).
As Lomax’s career takes off, he begins to realize that his new boss may have much more sinister intentions than he initially appeared. With a narrative that mixes suspense and supernatural elements, “The Devil’s Advocate” offers a fascinating look into desire and corruption, and remains a work filled with curiosities and secrets that continue to captivate audiences today.
1 – BASED ON A BOOK
The film is based on the novel of the same name by Andrew Neiderman, published in 1990.
2 – POP CULTURE REFERENCES
“The Devil’s Advocate” has become a cultural reference and is frequently cited in discussions about films that mix legal themes with supernatural elements.
3 – SUITS CHANGES
The subtle change in the colors of Kevin Lomax’s (Keanu Reeves) suits in “The Devil’s Advocate” is a detail that might go unnoticed unless you’re a true fan or have seen the film multiple times.
At the beginning, when Kevin is a small-town lawyer, he wears lighter-colored suits. As the plot progresses and he is seduced by the devil, the colors of his clothing start to darken. While some fans believe this reflects only the character’s social rise, allowing him to acquire more expensive suits, there is a more intriguing theory: the color changes represent Kevin’s moral deterioration.
As he becomes more corrupted by vanity and ambition, his suits also become darker. Personally, I find this interpretation much more significant.
4 – LIKING TO BE UNDERGROUND
A notable scene reveals much about John Milton’s nature. When he and Kevin are on the subway, Milton intervenes in a hostile passenger’s conversation, demonstrating his omniscience by revealing details about the man’s life that hadn’t been discussed and simultaneously persuading him.
But why would a magnate like John Milton choose to take the subway instead of using a limousine with a private driver? As the Devil himself, it’s plausible that he prefers to be underground, away from the surface and closer to traditional images of hell.
Additionally, by interacting with hundreds of passengers daily, he has more opportunities to sow discord and manipulate humans more effectively.
5 – CHASE
As Eddie Barzoon (Jeffrey Jones) runs through the park, he is pursued by three runners, each dressed in a color that represents the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse. The runner in white symbolizes Pestilence, the one in red represents War, and the one in black is associated with Famine.
At this moment, John Milton (Al Pacino), who is delivering a monologue justifying the pursuit of Barzoon, wears a green robe. This color is associated with Death, the fourth and final of the Horsemen.
6 – TRUMP’S APARTMENT
You know that luxurious apartment, filled with marble and gold, that in the film belongs to the millionaire Alexander Cullen (Craig T. Nelson), a client of Milton’s firm? What might surprise you is that it’s not just a set. In fact, it’s Donald Trump’s actual penthouse in Trump Tower, Manhattan.
In the 1980s and 1990s, Trump was very interested in making a mark in Hollywood and apparently didn’t hesitate to lend his property to serve as the Devil’s client’s home.
7 – REPETITIONS?
With an ending markedly different from the original, “The Devil’s Advocate” creates an almost surreal feeling, reminiscent of “Alice in Wonderland”, by showing Kevin returning to the first trial in Florida, as if having an epiphany about where his ambition and vanity might lead him. This interpretation seems plausible, except for one detail: John Milton is disguised as a journalist, suggesting he may continue to attempt to corrupt Kevin by other means.
This raises the idea that the film we just watched might not have been the first, nor the last, attempt by Milton to fulfill his plans with Kevin. The theory suggests that Kevin is trapped in a kind of repetitive cycle, a “Groundhog Day”, created by Milton.
If this theory is true, and the Devil controls time in this way, how would it affect other people? Would they repeat their actions, or would it cause a “Butterfly Effect”, altering the course of humanity?
And, more importantly, where is God to allow the Devil to manipulate Earth’s history in this manner?
8 – OBSERVING THE CONSEQUENCES THROUGH THE MIRROR
Although our last comparison of Kevin to Alice isn’t directly linked to Lewis Carroll’s work, this theory focuses on the importance of mirrors in the narrative as a kind of moral compass. It is no coincidence that at the end of the film, when everything returns to the beginning, Kevin is looking at himself in the mirror. It’s as if he is observing the consequences of his choices through his own reflection.
The relevance of mirrors doesn’t stop there: Mary Ann commits suicide with shards of a mirror and, before that, she “goes mad” seeing demons in her reflections. “Goes mad” because she is one of the few rational characters in the story. It seems Mary Ann is the only one capable of seeing the distorted reality reflected in the mirrors.
Additionally, Kevin’s main sin in the plot is vanity. The mirror is a symbol of this sin, and the Greek legend of Narcissus, who drowned while being fascinated by his own reflection in the water, serves as a powerful metaphor for Kevin’s journey.
9 – CRITICAL RECEPTION
The film received mixed critical reviews, with praise primarily for the actors’ performances, especially Al Pacino, and criticism directed at the plot and pacing.
10 – BOX OFFICE SUCCESS
The film was expensive for the 1990s, costing $57 million, but it was well worth it, as it grossed $153 million worldwide.
“The Devil’s Advocate” stands out as a powerful fusion of legal drama and psychological thriller, offering a unique perspective on the conflict between morality and ambition. With intense performances from Al Pacino and Keanu Reeves, the plot immerses us in a labyrinth of ethical choices and the struggle for power.
The story not only challenges traditional views on the role of a lawyer but also explores the depths of human nature and the consequences of succumbing to temptation. Taylor Hackford’s direction and the skillful screenplay ensure that the film remains a classic that continues to provoke discussions about the thin line between right and wrong.
“The Devil’s Advocate” remains relevant, provocative, and intriguing, reminding us that sometimes the true devil is in the decisions we make.