The Story of The Devil's Advocate
Kevin Lomax is a brilliant young attorney from Tampa with an almost supernatural ability to win cases. His success rate is flawless, his charm is effortless, and he's built a comfortable life with his devoted wife Mary-Ann—until an irresistible offer arrives from John Milton, the charismatic founder of a prestigious Manhattan law firm. The salary is staggering, the office overlooks Central Park, and the cases are high-profile. What could possibly go wrong? Everything, as it turns out. As Kevin settles into his new role and the trappings of New York wealth begin to seduce him, Mary-Ann starts experiencing disturbing visions and psychological deterioration. Kevin, intoxicated by success and the firm's seductive power, finds it increasingly difficult to see what his wife sees—and what the audience begins to suspect. The Devil's Advocate isn't content to be a simple legal procedural; it's a descent into moral corruption wrapped in the language of contract law and courtroom drama.
Behind the Making of The Devil's Advocate
Director Taylor Hackford brought The Devil's Advocate to the screen in 1997, adapting Andrew Neiderman's 1990 novel through a screenplay by Jonathan Lemkin and Tony Gilroy. The film was a co-production between Germany and the United States, reflecting the international scope of its ambitions. Hackford assembled a powerhouse cast: Keanu Reeves was coming off the success of Speed and The Matrix, while Al Pacino—then a towering figure in cinema—brought his trademark intensity and gravitas to the role of Milton. Charlize Theron, still early in her career, played Mary-Ann with a vulnerability that grounds the film's more fantastical elements. The supporting cast included Jeffrey Jones, Judith Ivey, Connie Nielsen, and Craig T. Nelson, each adding texture to the firm's morally compromised ecosystem.
The production ran to 134 minutes—a substantial runtime that allows the film to build its atmosphere and explore the psychological unraveling of its protagonist without feeling rushed. While The Devil's Advocate wasn't a runaway box-office smash, it earned enough to justify its ambitions and developed a cult following in the years since. It's the kind of film that rewards repeat viewing, particularly once you know where it's heading. Movie OTT tracks current streaming availability across multiple platforms, making it easier than ever to revisit Hackford's vision without hunting through your cable guide.
What Makes The Devil's Advocate Stand Out
What's striking about The Devil's Advocate is how it manages to balance genuine supernatural horror with the mundane, bureaucratic evil of corporate law. The film works on two levels: as a literal tale of demonic temptation and as a metaphorical exploration of how institutions corrupt the people within them. Keanu Reeves gives one of his most nuanced performances here—his Kevin Lomax isn't a villain, he's a man seduced by the promise of recognition and wealth, and Reeves captures that slow moral erosion with quiet effectiveness. You can see it in his eyes as he rationalizes increasingly questionable decisions, as he dismisses his wife's concerns, as he chooses the firm's interests over his own conscience.
But it's Al Pacino who steals the film. His John Milton is charming, intelligent, and utterly magnetic—he's the kind of boss you'd want to work for until you realize what you've actually signed up for. There's a famous monologue late in the film where Pacino delivers a diatribe that's become legendary among film fans, a moment where the film stops pretending and just lets him rage about vanity, ambition, and the human condition. It's theatrical, it's excessive, and it's absolutely unforgettable. Charlize Theron, meanwhile, doesn't get as much screen time as the men, but she makes every moment count—her Mary-Ann is the moral center the film keeps trying to push away. The thing nobody mentions is how the film's visual language shifts as Kevin's corruption deepens; the cinematography becomes sleeker, colder, more seductive, mirroring his own spiritual decline.
The film carries an R rating and clocks in at a runtime that doesn't feel wasted—nearly every scene either advances the plot or deepens our understanding of these characters' moral compromises. IMDb users have rated it 7.4/10, a score that reflects its status as a genuinely entertaining thriller with real thematic weight, even if it doesn't always land every beat perfectly. It's uneven, sure, but it's an unevenness that comes from ambition rather than incompetence.
Where to Stream The Devil's Advocate Online
The Devil's Advocate is currently available on Netflix, making it accessible to millions of subscribers looking for a supernatural thriller with substance. If you're already scrolling through Netflix's drama section, this is absolutely worth adding to your queue—it's the kind of film that rewards a focused, uninterrupted viewing. The film's visual design and Pacino's performance especially benefit from a proper screen rather than a phone, so find a comfortable spot and commit to the full 134 minutes. For the most up-to-date information on where this title is streaming, check the "Where to Watch" widget at the top of this page, which pulls real-time availability data across all major platforms. Movie OTT keeps that information current so you don't have to hunt through multiple services.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is The Devil's Advocate based on a true story?
No. The film is based on Andrew Neiderman's 1990 novel of the same name. While it draws on the Faustian legend—the centuries-old story of a man who sells his soul to the Devil—it's entirely a work of fiction.
Q: Who directed The Devil's Advocate?
Taylor Hackford directed the film. Hackford is known for character-driven dramas and thrillers, and The Devil's Advocate showcases his ability to balance supernatural elements with grounded human psychology.
Q: What's the runtime of The Devil's Advocate?
The film runs for 134 minutes (just over two hours and fourteen minutes), which gives it plenty of time to develop its atmosphere and explore the psychological corruption of its main character.
Q: Is The Devil's Advocate appropriate for kids?
No. The film carries an R rating and contains mature themes including sexuality, violence, and psychological horror. It's designed for adult audiences.
Q: Where can I watch The Devil's Advocate?
The Devil's Advocate is currently streaming on Netflix. You can check the "Where to Watch" widget on this page for the most current availability across all platforms.
Final Thoughts on The Devil's Advocate
The Devil's Advocate remains a deeply entertaining supernatural thriller that doesn't shy away from big ideas about ambition, corruption, and the cost of success. It's not perfect—the pacing occasionally sags, and some of the special effects have dated—but the performances, particularly Pacino's, and the film's willingness to commit to its premise keep it engaging. If you're drawn to thrillers that blend the supernatural with social commentary, or if you just want to watch two world-class actors go head-to-head, this is absolutely worth your time. Don't sleep on it.
