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Devil's Knot

Play trailer Poster for Devil's Knot 2014 1h 54m Drama Crime Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
26% Tomatometer 96 Reviews 39% Popcornmeter 5,000+ Ratings
The Arkansas town of West Memphis makes national headlines when three teenagers are arrested for the brutal murders of three little boys.
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Devil's Knot

Devil's Knot

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Critics Consensus

Devil's Knot covers fact-based ground that's already been well-traveled with multiple (and far more compelling) documentaries.

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Critics Reviews

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David Stratton The Australian 07/30/2014
2/5
It compares most unfavourably with the recent Prisoners, which told an entirely fictional story about missing children with far more intrigue, suspense and cinematic skill than Egoyan's muted effort. Go to Full Review
Philippa Hawker The Age (Australia) 07/23/2014
2.5/5
In literary adaptations such as Felicia's Journey and The Sweet Hereafter, Egoyan has shown that he can depict darkness and explore loss. But here, he feels mired in stereotypes, or dependent on images that documentaries have already created. Go to Full Review
Mark Kermode Observer (UK) 06/15/2014
2/5
Haunting artistry aside, it's hard to see what Egoyan brings to the table that hasn't already been covered in print (Mara Leveritt's book provides source material), on screen and elsewhere in the media. Go to Full Review
Richard Crouse Richard Crouse 02/01/2021
3/5
Does a good job of telling a fascinating, if somewhat familiar story. Egoyan has stripped away the clinical nature of the documentary retellings of the story to reveal the personalities behind the headlines. Go to Full Review
Joanne Laurier World Socialist Web Site 08/13/2020
Devil's Knot is an adept, straightforward recounting of a judicial travesty. Go to Full Review
Alberto Abuín Espinof 05/14/2020
A disappointment that is only partially saved by its actors. [Full Review in Spanish] Go to Full Review
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Audience Reviews

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Carlos I @carlosFibarra 4d This was my second shot at Devil’s Knot, and while it stands as a decent enough thriller on its own merits, it remains a pretty hollow, surface-level telling of the West Memphis Three story. Despite a strong cast and somber atmosphere, the film struggles to capture the sheer complexity and systemic injustice found in the actual case, opting for a condensed narrative that lacks the emotional weight of the documentaries. It effectively captures the "Satanic Panic" of the era, but ultimately feels like a missed opportunity to dive deeper into the lives of those involved, leaving the viewer with a polished but somewhat empty reenactment of a true-crime tragedy. See more Maksim S @MaksimusMovies Nov 28 Devil’s Knot recounts the tragic story of the West Memphis Three, but it does so without adding any fresh perspective or insight. The film feels like a retread of a story that has already been told, offering little in terms of suspense, analysis, or emotional impact. Despite a capable cast, the narrative unfolds predictably and lacks the tension or urgency needed to engage viewers fully. Key details and complexities are glossed over, leaving the story feeling flat and uninspired. Ultimately, Devil’s Knot is a competent but unnecessary recounting of an already familiar case—earnest in intention but disappointing in execution. See more David W Sep 30 The movie was a joke and couldn’t even finish it. If you watch Paradise Lost or the West Memphis 3 it deals with facts not assumptions. Misskelley had an IQ of about 70, they were outcast but with the cops focusing on Misskelly, which was a major part of the case is the usual abuse of cops. Let’s get a conviction, the truth doesn’t matter. Let’s not forget the bite marks that could have been John Meyers who had his teeth removed when the convictions started to get questioned. I can go on but glad the conviction was overturned. Be careful because if you look different you could be spending your life behind bars. See more Adriana Z Sep 7 It feels like it is not a complete movie, i think it could be better. The case is very interesting and sad: that is not portrayed in the movie See more Alain E @AlainE Jun 15 Fascinating movie about the railroading of three unconventional young men by the American “justice “ system in order to convict them for a horrible crime. The police admitted that they never sent for analysis crucial blood evidence and subsequently “lost” the samples. Still, the three spent eighteen years in prison until they were released, the state never admitting wrongdoing. Directed very well by Egoyan. Impressive performance by Reese Witherspoon as the mother of one of the victims. A movie of low tones that makes a strong impression. Went completely over the heads of most critics. Colin Firth and Witherspoon showed much better judgment. I have to admit that I love Egoyan since the Speaking Parts of 1989, a magnificent movie about erotic obsession that is completely ignored in his Wikipedia entry. See more Horror fan 4 May 22 Great performance by Reese and this story shook the world. Well directed I loved this movie..Tim Treakle See more Read all reviews
Devil's Knot

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Movie Info

Synopsis The Arkansas town of West Memphis makes national headlines when three teenagers are arrested for the brutal murders of three little boys.
Director
Atom Egoyan
Producer
Elizabeth Fowler, Richard Saperstein, Clark Peterson, Christopher Woodrow, Paul Harris Boardman
Screenwriter
Paul Harris Boardman, Scott Derrickson
Distributor
Image, RLJ Entertainment
Production Co
Worldview Entertainment
Genre
Drama, Crime
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
May 9, 2014, Limited
Release Date (Streaming)
Jan 30, 2017
Runtime
1h 54m
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