The Devil's Advocate (Film)

The Devil’s Advocate is a 1997 American supernatural thriller film directed by Taylor Hackford, starring Keanu Reeves, Al Pacino and Charlize Theron. Adapted from Andrew Neiderman’s 1990 novel of the same name, the film follows a successful lawyer who begins working in New York and finds himself immersed in a world of ethics, metaphysics and the demonic.

Scene from the filmimdb.com)

Plot Summary

Kevin Lomax (Keanu Reeves), a young defense attorney who achieves great success in Florida, receives an attractive job offer from a prestigious law firm in New York. The firm’s mysterious founder, John Milton (Al Pacino), draws Kevin into a life of luxury, success and influence. While Kevin’s wife Mary Ann (Charlize Theron) begins to feel uneasy about their new surroundings, she also encounters supernatural events. Over time, Kevin confronts dark truths about the identity of the firm and its leader.

Themes and Meanings

The film contains philosophical and theological inquiries into morality, free will, power, pride and the weaknesses of human nature. The character of John Milton is richly layered with literary and religious allusions, directly referencing John Milton’s epic poem Paradise Lost. Throughout the film, the theme of sin is explored through career ambition and spiritual corruption.

Cast

• Keanu Reeves – Kevin Lomax
• Al Pacino – John Milton
• Charlize Theron – Mary Ann Lomax
• Jeffrey Jones – Eddie Barzoon
• Judith Ivey – Alice Lomax
• Craig T. Nelson – Alexander Cullen
• Connie Nielsen – Christabella Andreoli

Box Office Performance

The Devil’s Advocate earned $12.1 million in its opening weekend in the United States. Overall, it generated $60.9 million domestically and approximately $153 million worldwide. The production budget was reported at around $57 million (Box Office Mojo).

Critical Reception

The film received mixed but generally positive reviews from critics. It holds a 63% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with particular praise directed at Al Pacino’s theatrical performance. Critics found the film’s ethical debates, religious metaphors and dramatic structure compelling. However, some reviewers considered certain sections overly didactic and lengthy.

Awards and Nominations

• 1998 Saturn Awards – Nominated for Best Horror Film
• MTV Movie Awards – Nominated for Best Villain (Al Pacino)

Controversies and Legal Issues

The film faced a copyright infringement lawsuit due to the similarity between the sculpture composition in John Milton’s office and Frederick Hart’s work Ex Nihilo. As a result, Warner Bros. digitally altered certain scenes for home media releases.

Home Media and Release

The film has been widely released on DVD, Blu-ray and digital platforms. The home media version features the scene at the center of the copyright dispute, modified to address legal concerns.