Devil's Knot

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Devil's Knot

Released May 9, 2014

1h 54m

Drama

Crime

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Popcornmeter

26%

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96 Reviews

39%

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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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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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David Stratton

The Australian

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.

Rated: 2/5

Jul 30, 2014

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Philippa Hawker

The Age (Australia)

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.

Rated: 2.5/5

Jul 23, 2014

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Mark Kermode

Observer (UK)

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.

Rated: 2/5

Jun 15, 2014

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Richard Crouse

Richard Crouse

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.

Rated: 3/5

Feb 1, 2021

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Joanne Laurier

World Socialist Web Site

Devil's Knot is an adept, straightforward recounting of a judicial travesty.

Aug 13, 2020

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Alberto Abuín

Espinof

A disappointment that is only partially saved by its actors. [Full Review in Spanish]

May 14, 2020

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Adriana Z

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

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

09/07/25

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Alain E

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.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

06/15/25

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Horror fan 4

Great performance by Reese and this story shook the world. Well directed I loved this movie..Tim Treakle

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

05/22/25

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sean a

Amazingly done. Brings to light the corruption in the american justice system.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

07/18/24

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Dani G

Interesting, but mediocre, much like most of Egoyan's work. He delivers entertaining with intriguing stories like this one, but always with a low ceiling, really

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

05/20/24

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Wolfgang G

Devil's Knot – Im Schatten der Wahrheit ist eine Filmbiografie von Atom Egoyan. Der Film basiert auf dem gleichnamigen Bestseller von Mara Leveritt, der den Fall der West Memphis Three beschreibt.… Drei Teenager werden angeklagt, drei Kinder bei einem Ritualmord getötet zu haben. Doch der Privatdetektiv Lax ist nicht von der Schuld der Jugendlichen überzeugt… Ein durchaus sehenswerter Film, aber er will die gesamte Geschichte erzählen… Es ist schwierig, sie so zu komprimieren und in zwei Stunden zu erzählen… Die Wahrheit ist seltsamer als die Inszenierung und das ist mangelhaft für eine Filmbiografie… Kurz gesagt, Devil's Knot hat Schwierigkeiten, sich zu entscheiden, zwischen einer Filmbiografie oder einem Kriminalfilm…

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

11/01/23

Full Review

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Atom Egoyan

Director

Colin Firth

Ron Lax

Reese Witherspoon

Pam Hobbs

Dane DeHaan

Chris Morgan

Mireille Enos

Vicki Hutcherson

Bruce Greenwood

Judge David Burnett

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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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