Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		4.0
Audio		4.5
Extras		3.0
Overall		4.0

Devil 4K Blu-ray Movie Review

Devil is an exciting supernatural-thriller from producers M. Night Shyamalan (The Sixth Sense, Signs) and Sam Mercer (Unbreakable, The Village). Featuring an original story by M. Night Shyamalan, Devil stars Chris Messina, Logan Marshall-Green, Geoffrey Arend, Bojana Novakovic, and Jenny O'Hara. A fun thriller and one that fans of horror gems won’t want to miss.

Executive produced by Drew Dowdle (Waco: The Aftermath, No Escape) and Trish Hofmann (Igby Goes Down, The Ruins), Devil is produced by Media Rights Capital and The Night Chronicles. Released on September 17, 2010, Devil was produced on a modest production budget of 10 million. Devil went on to make over 60 million at the box-office.

The devil can arrive in unexpected ways. On a busy day in Philadelphia, five strangers find themselves brought together. An elevator in a high- tower becomes trapped in motion – the elevator no longer moving. The strangers must fight for survival and are put to the ultimate test.

From some strange occurrence, these five strangers find themselves trapped with the devil. Detective Bowden (Chris Messina) is brought on to the case – following his own traumatic past after losing his wife and son to a hit and run. After surviving the trauma, Detective Bowden decides it is his mission to save the strangers trapped in the elevator.

The cast of supporting characters in Devil includes Sarah Caraway (Bojana Novakovic), Mechanic (Logan Marshall-Green), Old Woman (Jenny O'Hara), Guard (Bokeem Woodbine), Salesman (Geoffrey Arend), Ramirez (Jacob Vargas), and Lustig (Matt Craven). The cast of characters add a lot to the film and the suspenseful storytelling. The performances from the entire ensemble cast are excellent and add to the supernatural fun – the “trapped in an elevator” concept giving a good showcase for the cast of actors. At the forefront of the performances, Chris Messina is exceptional as Detective Bowden. Messina, in his pre The Mindy Project role, provides one of his strongest theatrical-feature performances. Messina helps to carry the concept of the film with his detective role engaging and compelling.

The production designs by Martin Whist (Super 8, The Cabin in the Woods) is one of the highlights of the feature. Whist is an exceptional production designer – someone who has contributed great designs for numerous genre films. The efforts are undeniably effective at creating a good atmosphere for the film. Impressive and well suited for the style of filmmaking.

The production features art direction by Nigel Churcher (The Shape of Water, Scott Pilgrim vs. the World). The art direction is equally compelling to the production design. The effort adds to the filmmaking in spades. There is real artistry in the effort. The supernatural-horror style works.

The costume Designs by Erin Benach (The Neon Demon, Birds of Prey and the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn) are effective and well suited to the filmmaking. The costumes aim for a sense of realism and simplicity that works quite well for the genre effort. The style evokes what one would expect to find from a group of strangers trapped in an elevator – the different personalities of the characters reflected through the costume designs. The costuming also works well for the other cast members, including Chris Messina in his detective role.

The score composed by Fernando Velázquez (The Impossible, Crimson Peak) is a highlight of the genre filmmaking. The music is both eerie and suspenseful. The score crescendos and builds to the finale. Velázquez is a top-notch composer and the efforts are well-done.

The cinematography by Tak Fujimoto (The Sixth Sense, Signs) is one of the greatest aspects of Devil. Fujimoto is one of the most impressive cinematographers in the history of motion-pictures. There is something special about every effort by Fujimoto. The lensing is so incredible and cinematic – few other directors of photography create such an evocative sense of mood. The cinematography is both beautiful and helps to create a sense of suspense.

Edited by Elliot Greenberg (Crawl, Chronicle), Devil is a well-paced production. Greenberg is a talent with a sense of what editing can do for a motion-picture. Devil is tightly paced and the flow of the film is well done. The suspense is handled well with the editing.

Written by Brian Nelson (30 Days of Night, Rupture), Devil is a thrill ride. Nelson created a strong script with good dialogue and characterizations. The screenplay does a solid job of adding some character development and depth to the cast of trapped strangers in the elevator. The script also creates an especially compelling lead character with Detective Bowden, who has a good backstory.

Directed by John Erick Dowdle (As Above, So Below, Quarantine), Devil is an impressive genre film. There is a lot of impressive filmmaking on display. Dowdle is in some respects an underrated horror filmmaker who has a great filmography. The filmmaking is tense and exciting. The camera-work and filmmaking style is terrific. There is a sense of dread and fun throughout the feature. Devil is underrated genre filmmaking by an immense talent.

Devil 4K Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Released on 4K UHD by Shout Factory, Devil is presented in HEVC / H.265 in the original theatrical aspect ratio of 2.39:1 widescreen. The feature-film was filmed with Panavision Cameras and Panavision Lenses. The feature cinematographic process was finished with a 2K DI. The original source format was 35mm (Super 35).

The new 4K restoration comes from the interpositive and the results are incredible. The cinematography shines on the 4K release.  A fantastic looking 4K restoration and one that showcases excellent clarity and detail. It is nice to see such a quality improvement over the standard Blu- ray. Anyone looking for a solid 4K UHD upgrade will be pleased with the presentation. The 4K release includes a HDR (high dynamic range) presentation available in both HDR10 and Dolby Vision. HDR10 is the standard HDR grade. Equipped displays with Dolby Vision can view the feature with additional meta data.

Devil 4K Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The release includes a selection of lossless audio options: English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 and English DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0. Both lossless audio options are provided in 24 bit high-resolution. The audio clarity is exceptional. The remarkable clarity and detail of the audio presentation makes the release all the more engaging. The soundstage is excellent and the depth to the audio track is immersive. This is a powerhouse audio track. The audio clarity is outstanding. The score composed by Fernando Velázquez impresses and is well integrated into the surround sound track. The surround sound option was terrific - a reference level sound mix.

Devil 4K Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

The release comes in a standard 4K UHD case. The release does not come with an o-card slipcover and is relegated by Shout Factory as a standard 4K edition (only collector's edition releases with more extras include an o-card slipcover). The cover does not provide reversible sleeve art. Both the 4K UHD and included Blu-ray disc include the newly produced 4K restoration from the interpositive. For those unequipped with 4K disc playback, the 4K scan can still be enjoyed on the included Blu-ray.

NEW Audio Commentary with Film Critics Emily Higgins and Billy Dunham

Deleted Scenes (HD, 3:43) includes three deleted scenes from the film.

The Story (HD, 2:32)

The Devil's Meeting (HD, 2:26)

The Night Chronicles (HD, 2:15)

Devil 4K Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Devil is an incredibly effective supernatural thriller. The filmmaking is top-notch and there is so much to appreciate about the production. Director John Erick Dowdle (As Above, So Below) is an ace filmmaker (with a great understanding of suspense and terror). Devil has a great ensemble cast, too – led by the great Chris Messina. The 4K UHD features an exceptional presentation – a new restoration of the interpositive. The 4K restoration is available on both the 4K UHD disc and on the included Blu-ray release. The release also comes with some new supplements. Highly recommended.