Devil's Knot (2013)

May 9, 2013 (US) • Crime, Drama, Thriller • 114m

Overview

The savage murders of three young children sparks a controversial trial of three teenagers accused of killing the kids as part of a satanic ritual.

Director

Scott Derrickson, Paul Harris Boardman, Mara Leveritt

Top Billed

Colin Firth

Keywords

child murder satanism diner knife arkansas biography based on true story woods crime scene police interrogation 1990s wonder legal thriller triple murder west memphis three

Where to watch

Free / Included

Rent

Buy

Top Billed Cast

Crew

Reviews

Reno

⭐ 8/10

March 16, 2015

I understand why this film did not vastly, positively recognized, even though it was taken straight from a really cruel incident. Some viewers mind only the commercial value, forget that one because they're living a useless and careless life about society. And the other reason is there is nothing wrong in performance, direction or in any technical aspect, but the story itself do not fit to be a movie. It should have been documentary instead.

Coincidentally, this movie was similar to the 2011 Koren movie 'Children...' which was also based on the true event. About children who go missing. Both the events took place in the early 90s. This silver screen movie looks a lot like television broadcastable item that it should be. There is a documentary trilogy inspired from this story. The motive was to bring the truth out and it was well received according to ratings and reviews. And don't forget the books.

‘‘My son is 8-year-old. He sleeps with a night light on,
he did not run away from home.’’

A movie must have (1) a story to begin with, (2) characters that develop along the story and (3) finally a conclusion whether twist in it or not, happy or sad, either way it works. So what's wrong with it? Well, it lacks in development in either of above first two points and extents throughout without nothing while we are expecting a glimpse of something to happen. The fact is, no one knows what really happened, actually those who know are tight lipped because of involvement. I just can't conclude my judgement because of this movie, but give a fair point for anyone who are not familiar with this case.

Not focused on a particular character, the most of the perspective in the storytelling was Colin Firth's role which was just an appearance to show I'm there but not in action. You have a couple of choices to rate this movie, one, based on the story which is real and cruel, and another is the movie that disappoints as a movie. Like I am always quite happy with the product like this, because I got to know what I supposed to learn about this 'West Memphis Three' case. Hope the new movie do convey well to the cinematic output.

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KayP97

October 9, 2022

I had no knowledge of this story before watching this film, so I won't judge it as harshly as maybe some others on the facts. I particular liked the opening of the movie right before the boys disappeared and Reese Witherspoon gave off a great performance as the grieving mother. She is a big reason why I enjoyed this movie more than maybe I should do. There are questions raised as to whether she should have had as much screen time as she did, howe… read the rest.

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Status

Released

Original Language

Budget

$15,000,000

Revenue

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