It upsets me when people leave reviews for films when the following conditions apply: 1. They only watched a portion of the film. (Even a chipmunk can do something consistently for up to 2 hours. Besides, an opinion on a portion of a film is pretty much comparable to answering yes or no to half a question.) 2. They are deeply upset by the fact that the ending wasn't completely spelled out, tied with a bow and presented to them with an accompanying pamphlet answering any questions that may linger in the vaporous cavern that sits between their two ears. (Spoiler Alert: most things in life worth experiencing don't make perfect sense, follow a predetermined path or come with instructions. Some aren't even all that pleasant when they are occurring, but end up putting a slight detour in your life map that maybe saves the future you.) Having said all that, this is a circular curse movie with a Japanese horror element and some twists and turns. I've seen much worse movies and much better. It was watchable, and at times intriguing. Favorite line: Q: "Where are you from?" A: "Geographically or Philosophically?"
14 Reviews
Solid Snake is in this?
gemreviews228 September 2014
This film could have gone under the radar. And it would have been fine. But the fact that David Hayter is in this, it will mean that every immature, armchair critic/gamer is going to take this movie apart with a dull, cheap kitchen knife.
It's not difficult to assume that this film is at best a college project. Everybody involved in this movie is young and have no previous film credits. Except for a handful of short films. David Hayter is fine. Its just odd that he's in this.
Its a confusing story. And the reason is because its trying to be too clever. At the end of the film, we get a twist ending that doesn't warrant why anything had happened. Its a bunch of kidnappers that hold 2 Japanese women inside the trunk of a car. The kidnappers drive into the middle of no where and they lose track of time. And then they get haunted by a female ghost for no reason. It jump cuts to a garage with a bald man that is holding one of the kidnappers upside down and the bald man tries to sound creepy. And then it jump cuts back to the road with the kidnappers.
The film is a mess. But that kind of thing is expected from first time film makers. The project was too ambitious to carry. My advice to the film makers regarding future projects: less is more. And a high concept idea doesn't mean confusing the audience through out the whole film and then fix it with a twist ending. People are just going to get aggravated.
In a positive note - the actors were actually good. All of them. They were very likable. Except the bald man. He was trying too hard or not hard enough
It's not difficult to assume that this film is at best a college project. Everybody involved in this movie is young and have no previous film credits. Except for a handful of short films. David Hayter is fine. Its just odd that he's in this.
Its a confusing story. And the reason is because its trying to be too clever. At the end of the film, we get a twist ending that doesn't warrant why anything had happened. Its a bunch of kidnappers that hold 2 Japanese women inside the trunk of a car. The kidnappers drive into the middle of no where and they lose track of time. And then they get haunted by a female ghost for no reason. It jump cuts to a garage with a bald man that is holding one of the kidnappers upside down and the bald man tries to sound creepy. And then it jump cuts back to the road with the kidnappers.
The film is a mess. But that kind of thing is expected from first time film makers. The project was too ambitious to carry. My advice to the film makers regarding future projects: less is more. And a high concept idea doesn't mean confusing the audience through out the whole film and then fix it with a twist ending. People are just going to get aggravated.
In a positive note - the actors were actually good. All of them. They were very likable. Except the bald man. He was trying too hard or not hard enough
Devillish- 100% irony
TheLittleSongbird20 July 2019
There was a good idea somewhere in 'Devil's Mile', and it did leave me quite intrigued. Even though part of me already worried reading the plot summary about whether the film would be muddled in execution, there was that trap. It was this idea though that was my main reason in seeing 'Devil's Mile', as well as liking a lot of films in the genres it fits under. It also didn't look too bad and the title is attention grabbing.
Really do wish that when seeing it that the film itself was as attention grabbing as the cover and title. 'Devil's Mile' is not an unwatchable film and have seen far worse films recently and overall, and in the genres it fits under. It is though in my view not a good film either, mostly a mess actually, and did fall in the potential traps it had from the get go. Decent potential but the devillish quality was sorely missing, there was not enough of it from the start and it continued to diminish until by the end there was nothing left.
'Devil's Mile' is not irredeemable. It doesn't look too bad visually, nothing that blows the mind but there is a grit and eeriness to the photography and the setting has atmosphere.
Also thought the actors did a reasonable job and they at least looked as though they were trying, considering what was given to them which was too little and pretty poor.
However, 'Devil's Mile' is a mess elsewhere and did too little with the potential that was there. It was not to do with that it was not trying. It was trying. If anything, there is a try too hard feel, like it wasn't sure what to do with itself and it gave off a muddled feel that affected the cohesion. Didn't see any of the things that the summary indicated there would be. To me, the pacing was not relentless, it moderately engaged to start with but very quickly went downhill and became very dull with a lot of going nowhere parts, narratively this was flimsy. The action-oriented parts were not enough and didn't have the necessary energy.
Nothing thrilling or horrifying in 'Devil's Mile' either. There is a complete lack of suspense and surprises, didn't see much grit, for it to convince as a crime thriller, and it fails too as a supernatural horror, again because the suspense is lacking, some of the horror looks afterthought-like and the excessive predictability and dull pace hurt it further. It would have been better for it to have done either or, which would have made the story more focused.
Script was in serious need of a tightening up and proof-reader, it's pedestrian and one can get lost trying to make sense of what is being said.
Overall, a mess but not an avoidable one. 3/10
Really do wish that when seeing it that the film itself was as attention grabbing as the cover and title. 'Devil's Mile' is not an unwatchable film and have seen far worse films recently and overall, and in the genres it fits under. It is though in my view not a good film either, mostly a mess actually, and did fall in the potential traps it had from the get go. Decent potential but the devillish quality was sorely missing, there was not enough of it from the start and it continued to diminish until by the end there was nothing left.
'Devil's Mile' is not irredeemable. It doesn't look too bad visually, nothing that blows the mind but there is a grit and eeriness to the photography and the setting has atmosphere.
Also thought the actors did a reasonable job and they at least looked as though they were trying, considering what was given to them which was too little and pretty poor.
However, 'Devil's Mile' is a mess elsewhere and did too little with the potential that was there. It was not to do with that it was not trying. It was trying. If anything, there is a try too hard feel, like it wasn't sure what to do with itself and it gave off a muddled feel that affected the cohesion. Didn't see any of the things that the summary indicated there would be. To me, the pacing was not relentless, it moderately engaged to start with but very quickly went downhill and became very dull with a lot of going nowhere parts, narratively this was flimsy. The action-oriented parts were not enough and didn't have the necessary energy.
Nothing thrilling or horrifying in 'Devil's Mile' either. There is a complete lack of suspense and surprises, didn't see much grit, for it to convince as a crime thriller, and it fails too as a supernatural horror, again because the suspense is lacking, some of the horror looks afterthought-like and the excessive predictability and dull pace hurt it further. It would have been better for it to have done either or, which would have made the story more focused.
Script was in serious need of a tightening up and proof-reader, it's pedestrian and one can get lost trying to make sense of what is being said.
Overall, a mess but not an avoidable one. 3/10
Start watching it but don't bother finishing it. I did the hard work for you.
abraxis02 September 2014
Oh the genre of horror! There is no other genre of film that can lead to such profound disappointment, especially for fans like myself. Every year there are hundreds of so called "horror" films made around the world. Unfortunately of those hundreds of films it seems only 4 or 5 will be worth watching. Really scary! The kind of film that makes you jumpy for a couple of weeks after seeing it. While you take a shower you wonder if when you open your eyes after rinsing off the shampoo you'll see a silhouette on the other side of the shower curtain. Or after you start your car at night you'll see another set of eyes in your rear view mirror. They make you hyper aware of every sound in your apartment or house as you close you eyes to go to sleep.
This is not one of those films.
If you are not at all a horror film watcher & prefer movies like Ice Age or Nut Thief or whatever that recent Pixar film is called then this film might, **just might**, seem scary to you. Maybe. You'd have to scare pretty easily though.
I'm giving this movie at least 2 stars because the premise is a good one. Pretty original really. Some kidnappers take a short cut on a highway that turns out to be the highway to hell! The kidnapping gets botched and innocent people die. They are forced to confront their actions by supernatural forces bent on exacting revenge. Well, sort of. It get's really really, muddled near the end. In fact by the end it doesn't make any since at all.
And when I say "it doesn't make any since at all" I don't mean that in the "it got all weird and artsy" sense so you have to figure it out way, no, I simply mean it seems like the writers gave up and said "F**K it, End it, we're running out of cocaine and Jules said he will be out of contact after 6pm"....but then one of the interns had a couple of bumps so they kept writing for like 30 minutes and came up with the brilliant ending that you really shouldn't waste any of your life waiting for.
I'm not discouraging you from watching this film. I'm just saying if after you've watched it for 41 minutes and find yourself asking "Is this ever going to get any better?" The answer is NO. It only gets worse,
This is not one of those films.
If you are not at all a horror film watcher & prefer movies like Ice Age or Nut Thief or whatever that recent Pixar film is called then this film might, **just might**, seem scary to you. Maybe. You'd have to scare pretty easily though.
I'm giving this movie at least 2 stars because the premise is a good one. Pretty original really. Some kidnappers take a short cut on a highway that turns out to be the highway to hell! The kidnapping gets botched and innocent people die. They are forced to confront their actions by supernatural forces bent on exacting revenge. Well, sort of. It get's really really, muddled near the end. In fact by the end it doesn't make any since at all.
And when I say "it doesn't make any since at all" I don't mean that in the "it got all weird and artsy" sense so you have to figure it out way, no, I simply mean it seems like the writers gave up and said "F**K it, End it, we're running out of cocaine and Jules said he will be out of contact after 6pm"....but then one of the interns had a couple of bumps so they kept writing for like 30 minutes and came up with the brilliant ending that you really shouldn't waste any of your life waiting for.
I'm not discouraging you from watching this film. I'm just saying if after you've watched it for 41 minutes and find yourself asking "Is this ever going to get any better?" The answer is NO. It only gets worse,
Not great, not horrid
jmbovan-47-1601732 June 2020
Captures the descent into Hell nature of a Lovecraftian story. Modern setting and rugged desert enhance what is a standard story of kidnapping, organized crime, and sweet maddening inferno. Doesn't quite come together enough for a better rating. Watchable but not necessarily recommendable.
Meh
labng22 May 2019
Let me premise this by confessing I am a huge horror fan. I don't consider my time wasted watching what casual and occasional horror viewers probably consider rot. I'm not sure why, but I finished this. I think I just wanted to know where all this aimless wandering ended up. It had some redeemable moments. And the ending may have been the most concise part of the film.
Pretty bad, low-budget garbage
lynnebriangoldstein20 December 2020
So, the acting was not that bad to be honest, and the concept was OK, but the effects were cheap and horrible, and the plot was boring and went nowhere. With a huge budget, alright maybe, but this is a low-budget flick and just obviously cheap.
IT'S NOT THE TIRE
nogodnomasters4 November 2018
Warning: Spoilers
Toby (David Hayter), Cally (Maria del Mar) and Jacinta (Casey Hudecki) have kidnapped 2 students (one is the wrong one) and have taken a short cut down a highway that seems endless. They stop at a store, not run by Sid Haig, but it becomes apparent we are in for another Hell's Highway, Purgatory Road, Twilight Zone episode with elements of Dante and Japanese horror tossed at us.
Unfortunately they couldn't improve on the basic formula and used witty dialogue like, "Can you get sunspots at night?" The cast and special effects weren't bad, it was just that the story didn't go anywhere by design.
Should make due as a Redbox rental.
Parental Guide: F-bomb. No sex or nudity.
Unfortunately they couldn't improve on the basic formula and used witty dialogue like, "Can you get sunspots at night?" The cast and special effects weren't bad, it was just that the story didn't go anywhere by design.
Should make due as a Redbox rental.
Parental Guide: F-bomb. No sex or nudity.
Creepy & Clever
hminiarj30 October 2014
I read the reviews before I watched it, and I almost didn't watch it, but I felt like watching some rubbish, and you know, I'm glad this was it.
Not because it's rubbish, but because there's so much more here than meets the eye.
It starts out simple enough, after the grab, after the kidnapping. There's a tiny hint, a little bit of predestination, and a fair bit of creepy at that.
The actresses are pretty good, the actor playing the male kidnapper is not quite as good, but he's passable, and the two other men do a reasonable job actually.
There are twists in this movie. One made me feel clever because I saw it coming even if I couldn't tell you why. The other... the other slipped right past me...
I actually recommend watching this. It's a pleasant little gem.
Not because it's rubbish, but because there's so much more here than meets the eye.
It starts out simple enough, after the grab, after the kidnapping. There's a tiny hint, a little bit of predestination, and a fair bit of creepy at that.
The actresses are pretty good, the actor playing the male kidnapper is not quite as good, but he's passable, and the two other men do a reasonable job actually.
There are twists in this movie. One made me feel clever because I saw it coming even if I couldn't tell you why. The other... the other slipped right past me...
I actually recommend watching this. It's a pleasant little gem.
A nearly pedestrian horror film with some redeeming twists
cppguy10 May 2016
Sometimes I watch a movie because I'm doing something else that's fairly dull and want a little action. That was my reason for watching "Devil's Mile" on Amazon. Adjusting from 5 scale on Amazon to 10 scale on IMDb, the viewers there are giving it a 7.2. Now that I've seen it, I have to agree.
The standard creepy elements are all there. This film isn't breaking any new ground, but then that's never stopped people from making and watching movies before. There are even things I was predicting that showed up as expected. It's actually when the female leads get talking seriously that the story moves along. There's a creepy dude that shows up in what seem like flashbacks. He only really begins to make sense to the story when you get near the end... and I did not predict the end.
This movie simply is not as bad as the overall ratings make it out to be. But then, consider the limited number of reviews this film has had.
The standard creepy elements are all there. This film isn't breaking any new ground, but then that's never stopped people from making and watching movies before. There are even things I was predicting that showed up as expected. It's actually when the female leads get talking seriously that the story moves along. There's a creepy dude that shows up in what seem like flashbacks. He only really begins to make sense to the story when you get near the end... and I did not predict the end.
This movie simply is not as bad as the overall ratings make it out to be. But then, consider the limited number of reviews this film has had.
Strange movie, but has moments
robertemerald8 February 2020
There's the basic plot to Devil's Mile that should have set up a much better movie. Part of the problem is the initial script and the angst of the characters. It felt contrived, felt, well, 'acted'. That part of the movie gets better and 10 minutes in seems to find a better tempo. The problem mainly is with the male character. He's over-the-top disrespectful of the girls and super aggressive. Given this is a crime and presumably people need to keep cool heads, well, it just didn't make sense to me. Then there's the problem of the absence of spook. The filmmaker seems to think an arial shot of a lonely highway at night is enough to create a chilly ambience. It's not enough. We could have done with some creepy roadside debris or roadkill, or ghostly reflections in car windows, some twilight zone cinematography. When the movie transitions from crime to horror we haven't been adequately prepared for it. Baffling, is a word that comes to mind. Also Incongruent. OK, I'm being super hard on this effort. In truth I quite enjoyed Devil's Mile. The story was certainly novel. Put it this way, it's unlikely you'll figure out how it ends before it actually does. It's the sort of movie that's really difficult to describe without giving spoilers. In a way it's as if the writers pushed for production of the movie given their original concept, and were given the go ahead way too early on that basis. In fact, they needed sit back and expand their vision to ensure the mystery elements and other transitions each had a sensible weight and lead in. What the hell. What do I know. I only watch them. But I do love them.... Devil's Mile is original enough that I hope the writers and filmmakers don't lose heart and have another go. They certainly deserve that at least.
My Review Of "Devil's Mile"
ASouthernHorrorFan27 August 2014
Joseph O'Brien's "Devil's Mile" is a blend of paranormal horror and contemporary crime-noir that takes a detour deep into Hell. "Devil's Mile" takes its cue from Japanese entity thrillers, but twists it with some classic Lovecraftian styled terror to create a steady incline into a super-charged nightmare.
The story has three criminals and two kidnapped victims stuck on a stretch of road that makes "The Lost Highway" seem like Main street USA. The plot is pretty heady with tons of drama and psychological tension. Joseph O'Brien is masterful in pacing out the action with flashbacks, creepy atmospheric shadowing and shady back-stories that are revealed in pieces. The cast are committed to the characters and their ability to make you connect with the story is pretty stellar-at least once the sh*t hits the fan.
True in the beginning of watching "Devil's Mile" I was sure I was gonna hate the film. The characters looked stereotypical with forced banter that comes off cliché. That all changes once they hit the Devil's mile stretch of highway. The drama goes up and the talent really shines. The writing is smart, fastidious ebbs and flows of chilling Paranormality, deep human conflict, and intense action thrills. So yeah-by the time the characters hit that damned line in the road I was captivated.
The special effects are a concentrated and respectable blend of standard CGI paranormal visuals and practical effects. The fact that the story sets a tone similar to the awesome Japanese paranormal horror films makes this palatable. The scares are definite, undeniable moments that get you. The atmosphere is a creepy mix of giallo styled dark and light balance with soft glows of color leaking into the frames. The creature effects is impactful, with some truly disturbing aesthetics begging for your nightmares. Who cares about that girl in the well, this b*tch on the highway is the real horror.
"Devil's Mile" is a definite must watch movie that shows just how perfect O'Brien's choice to make this his directorial debut was, not only for him but all us horror fans. If it wasn't for the beginning feeling stereotypical, and slow, then this film would have been a masterpiece of modern horror. Still this is one d*mn good movie. The ending is expected but not in the way that you really expect to see. Can't really detail anything because it would only spoil the experience.
The story has three criminals and two kidnapped victims stuck on a stretch of road that makes "The Lost Highway" seem like Main street USA. The plot is pretty heady with tons of drama and psychological tension. Joseph O'Brien is masterful in pacing out the action with flashbacks, creepy atmospheric shadowing and shady back-stories that are revealed in pieces. The cast are committed to the characters and their ability to make you connect with the story is pretty stellar-at least once the sh*t hits the fan.
True in the beginning of watching "Devil's Mile" I was sure I was gonna hate the film. The characters looked stereotypical with forced banter that comes off cliché. That all changes once they hit the Devil's mile stretch of highway. The drama goes up and the talent really shines. The writing is smart, fastidious ebbs and flows of chilling Paranormality, deep human conflict, and intense action thrills. So yeah-by the time the characters hit that damned line in the road I was captivated.
The special effects are a concentrated and respectable blend of standard CGI paranormal visuals and practical effects. The fact that the story sets a tone similar to the awesome Japanese paranormal horror films makes this palatable. The scares are definite, undeniable moments that get you. The atmosphere is a creepy mix of giallo styled dark and light balance with soft glows of color leaking into the frames. The creature effects is impactful, with some truly disturbing aesthetics begging for your nightmares. Who cares about that girl in the well, this b*tch on the highway is the real horror.
"Devil's Mile" is a definite must watch movie that shows just how perfect O'Brien's choice to make this his directorial debut was, not only for him but all us horror fans. If it wasn't for the beginning feeling stereotypical, and slow, then this film would have been a masterpiece of modern horror. Still this is one d*mn good movie. The ending is expected but not in the way that you really expect to see. Can't really detail anything because it would only spoil the experience.
Be gay, do crime
nattilypigeonfowl24 June 2020
This movie does so much with a little! You could count the number of locations they use on one hand but they make their world feel so real and so full of dread.
The film follows a crew of kidnappers and the two girls they've kidnapped. All five of these characters had strongly defined personalities and well fleshed out relationships. The actresses' performances do a great job of escalating tension while also showing their humanity. The story and the horror elements reflect the changing relationships of the characters in a way that really deepens the scares.
Everything comes together in a unique ending that forces you to see the whole story in a different light. The revelations at the end really underscore the themes (captivity, justice, whether punishment is deserved or random) that have been present thru the whole movie and will make you wanna watch a second time. Overall, I highly recommend this movie
The film follows a crew of kidnappers and the two girls they've kidnapped. All five of these characters had strongly defined personalities and well fleshed out relationships. The actresses' performances do a great job of escalating tension while also showing their humanity. The story and the horror elements reflect the changing relationships of the characters in a way that really deepens the scares.
Everything comes together in a unique ending that forces you to see the whole story in a different light. The revelations at the end really underscore the themes (captivity, justice, whether punishment is deserved or random) that have been present thru the whole movie and will make you wanna watch a second time. Overall, I highly recommend this movie
Road to hell
Woodyanders13 April 2021
Warning: Spoilers
Three desperate criminals and the two teenage girls that they kidnapped all find themselves in considerable jeopardy after they drive down a dark lonely stretch of haunted highway.
Director/co-writer Joseph O'Brien relates the compelling story at a brisk pace, maintains a tough gritty tone throughout, offers a neat blend of supernatural horror and crime noir thriller elements, and adroitly crafts a supremely creepy and unsettling gloom-doom atmosphere. The sound acting by the able cast further keeps this movie humming: David Hayter as the volatile Toby McTeague, Maria del Mar as the distraught Cally, Casey Hudecki as the anxious Jacinta, Frank Moore as the ruthless Mr. Arkadi, Samantha Wan and Amanda Joy Lim as the two frightened hostages, and Craig Porritt as a mysterious caretaker. The sharp and garish widescreen cinematography by Brian Chambers and David Z. Lam provides a cool stylish look. Chris Alexander's brooding score hits the brooding spot. A really neat movie.
Director/co-writer Joseph O'Brien relates the compelling story at a brisk pace, maintains a tough gritty tone throughout, offers a neat blend of supernatural horror and crime noir thriller elements, and adroitly crafts a supremely creepy and unsettling gloom-doom atmosphere. The sound acting by the able cast further keeps this movie humming: David Hayter as the volatile Toby McTeague, Maria del Mar as the distraught Cally, Casey Hudecki as the anxious Jacinta, Frank Moore as the ruthless Mr. Arkadi, Samantha Wan and Amanda Joy Lim as the two frightened hostages, and Craig Porritt as a mysterious caretaker. The sharp and garish widescreen cinematography by Brian Chambers and David Z. Lam provides a cool stylish look. Chris Alexander's brooding score hits the brooding spot. A really neat movie.
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