Devil in a Blue Dress

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Devil in a Blue Dress

R

Released Sep 29, 1995

1h 42m

Mystery & Thriller

Crime

Drama

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Popcornmeter

92%

Tomatometer

123 Reviews

71%

Popcornmeter

10,000+ Ratings

In late 1940s Los Angeles, Easy Rawlins (Denzel Washington) is an unemployed black World War II veteran with few job prospects. At a bar, Easy meets DeWitt Albright (Tom Sizemore), a mysterious white man looking for someone to investigate the disappearance of a missing white woman named Daphne Monet (Jennifer Beals), who he suspects is hiding out in one of the city's black jazz clubs. Strapped for money and facing house payments, Easy takes the job, but soon finds himself in over his head.

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Critics Consensus

Humor, interesting characters, and attention to details make the stylish Devil in a Blue Dress an above average noir.

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Desson Thomson

Washington Post

In Devil, folks like Easy Rawlins have long since learned to roll with the racial punches. It's precisely that kind of offhand profundity that makes the movie so memorable. Franklin's picture is effortlessly wise beneath its entertaining surface.

Oct 27, 2021

Full Review

Patricia Bibby

Associated Press

It is a smart, sly film imbued with the rich subtle tones of a mournful blues saxophone piece, worthy of comparisons to some of the best noir films of decades past.

Oct 27, 2021

Full Review

S. Renee Mitchell

Detroit Free Press

The film climaxes in a gun battle that's as painfully predictable as they come and -- as he did with the movie in general -- Mouse saves the day. His departure from the screen brakes the film to a near halt.

Rated: 2/4

Oct 27, 2021

Full Review

Sharai Bohannon

A Nightmare On Fierce Street Podcast

'Devil in a Blue Dress' would have won so many Oscars if the Academy could have checked their biases. This movie is a masterpiece. Denzel Washington and Don Cheadle are the only duo that matters anymore.

Rated: 4/5

May 23, 2025

Full Review

Todd James

Vue Weekly (Edmonton, Alberta)

The story unfolds slowly, but it's a script that will hook you from the start.

Rated: 4/5

Mar 29, 2024

Full Review

Brian Susbielles

InSession Film

Carl Franklin’s neo-noir is hard-boiled and filled with moods of disillusionment in Los Angeles...

Feb 22, 2023

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Stephen C

Success in 1 hour and 42 minutes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The USA grossed over $15,900,000.00!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/01/25

Full Review

Darsou C

Denzel is at his very best as his character evolves from rube to hero by necessity, in order to avoid that of “victim”—dead victim. And Don Cheadle positively excels in his role as an unleashed deadly force ready and willing to do whatever proves necessary to assist Denzel in that progression. The soundtrack and cinematography are exceptional, almost literally grabbing the viewer by the collar and depositing him right back into the middle of the 20th century. Worth watching more than once!

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

06/26/25

Full Review

Olivia J

The story unfolds slowly, but it's a script that will hook you from the start.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

05/02/25

Full Review

Alejandro E

No conozco el libro que sirvió de base, pero el resultado final es lo más parecido al género policiaco llamado hard boiled en el que, se diserta de paso los prejuicios raciales de aquel entonces. Lo más destacado: Denzel Washington

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

10/25/24

Full Review

Audience Member

Hands down my fave Denzil, Cheadle and Carl Franklin film. Spectacular modern film not, wish they had done more...👍👍

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

09/21/24

Full Review

Audience Member

It’s a good crime movie, that’s really good at keeping your attention. All the actors did great! Good movie

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

06/13/24

Full Review

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Carl Franklin

Director

Denzel Washington

Ezekiel 'Easy' Rawlins

Tom Sizemore

DeWitt Albright

Jennifer Beals

Daphne Monet

Don Cheadle

Raymond 'Mouse' Alexander

Maury Chaykin

Matthew Terell

Devil in a Blue Dress: Official Clip - You Got Blood on My Coat

2:38

Devil in a Blue Dress: Official Clip - The Color Line in America

3:56

Devil in a Blue Dress: Official Clip - Threatened at Knifepoint

2:32

Devil in a Blue Dress: Official Clip - He's My Brother!

2:06

Devil in a Blue Dress: Official Clip - Cabin Shootout

3:10

Devil in a Blue Dress: Official Clip - Scaring Racists

2:51

Devil in a Blue Dress: Official Clip - Meeting Daphne

3:15

Devil in a Blue Dress: Official Clip - Corrupt Candidate

2:57

Devil in a Blue Dress: Official Clip - I'm Not Drunk

1:26

Devil in a Blue Dress: Official Clip - Beaten by Cops

2:03

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Synopsis

In late 1940s Los Angeles, Easy Rawlins (Denzel Washington) is an unemployed black World War II veteran with few job prospects. At a bar, Easy meets DeWitt Albright (Tom Sizemore), a mysterious white man looking for someone to investigate the disappearance of a missing white woman named Daphne Monet (Jennifer Beals), who he suspects is hiding out in one of the city's black jazz clubs. Strapped for money and facing house payments, Easy takes the job, but soon finds himself in over his head.

Director: Carl Franklin
Producer: Gary Goetzman, Jesse Beaton
Screenwriter: Walter Mosley, Carl Franklin
Distributor: TriStar Pictures, Columbia Tristar, Home Box Office (HBO) [us]
Production Co: Clinica Estetico, TriStar Pictures
Rating: R
Genre: Mystery & Thriller, Crime, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Sep 29, 1995, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 1, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $15.9M
Runtime: 1h 42m
Sound Mix: Surround

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