Release calendarTop 250 moviesMost popular moviesBrowse movies by genreTop box officeShowtimes & ticketsMovie newsIndia movie spotlight
    What's on TV & streamingTop 250 TV showsMost popular TV showsBrowse TV shows by genreTV news
    What to watchLatest trailersIMDb OriginalsIMDb PicksIMDb SpotlightFamily entertainment guideIMDb Podcasts
    OscarsEmmysToronto Int'l Film FestivalHispanic Heritage MonthIMDb Stars to WatchSTARmeter AwardsAwards CentralFestival CentralAll events
    Born todayMost popular celebsCelebrity news
    Help centerContributor zonePolls
For industry professionals
  • Language
  • Fully supported
  • English (United States)
    Partially supported
  • Français (Canada)
  • Français (France)
  • Deutsch (Deutschland)
  • हिंदी (भारत)
  • Italiano (Italia)
  • Português (Brasil)
  • Español (España)
  • Español (México)
Watchlist
Sign in
  • Fully supported
  • English (United States)
    Partially supported
  • Français (Canada)
  • Français (France)
  • Deutsch (Deutschland)
  • हिंदी (भारत)
  • Italiano (Italia)
  • Português (Brasil)
  • Español (España)
  • Español (México)
Use app
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • FAQ
IMDbPro

The Devil's Advocate

  • 1997
  • R
  • 2h 24m
IMDb RATING
7.5/10
431K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
796
266
Al Pacino and Keanu Reeves in The Devil's Advocate (1997)
Home Video Trailer from Warner Home Video
Play trailer0:31
2 Videos
99+ Photos
Legal ThrillerDramaFantasyMysteryThriller

An exceptionally adept Florida lawyer is offered a job at a high-end New York City law firm with a high-end boss - the biggest opportunity of his career to date.An exceptionally adept Florida lawyer is offered a job at a high-end New York City law firm with a high-end boss - the biggest opportunity of his career to date.An exceptionally adept Florida lawyer is offered a job at a high-end New York City law firm with a high-end boss - the biggest opportunity of his career to date.

  • Director
    • Taylor Hackford
  • Writers
    • Andrew Neiderman
    • Jonathan Lemkin
    • Tony Gilroy
  • Stars
    • Keanu Reeves
    • Al Pacino
    • Charlize Theron
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    7.5/10
    431K
    YOUR RATING
    POPULARITY
    796
    266
    • Director
      • Taylor Hackford
    • Writers
      • Andrew Neiderman
      • Jonathan Lemkin
      • Tony Gilroy
    • Stars
      • Keanu Reeves
      • Al Pacino
      • Charlize Theron
    • 638User reviews
    • 121Critic reviews
    • 60Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 2 wins & 7 nominations total

    Videos2

    Devil's Advocate
    Trailer 0:31
    Devil's Advocate
    What Roles Has Keanu Reeves Turned Down?
    Video 3:12
    What Roles Has Keanu Reeves Turned Down?
    What Roles Has Keanu Reeves Turned Down?
    Video 3:12
    What Roles Has Keanu Reeves Turned Down?

    Photos298

    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster
    + 293
    View Poster

    Top cast99+

    Edit
    Keanu Reeves
    Keanu Reeves
    • Kevin Lomax
    Al Pacino
    Al Pacino
    • John Milton
    Charlize Theron
    Charlize Theron
    • Mary Ann Lomax
    Jeffrey Jones
    Jeffrey Jones
    • Eddie Barzoon
    Judith Ivey
    Judith Ivey
    • Mrs. Alice Lomax
    Connie Nielsen
    Connie Nielsen
    • Christabella Andreoli
    Craig T. Nelson
    Craig T. Nelson
    • Alexander Cullen
    Tamara Tunie
    Tamara Tunie
    • Mrs. Jackie Heath
    Ruben Santiago-Hudson
    Ruben Santiago-Hudson
    • Leamon Heath
    Debra Monk
    Debra Monk
    • Pam Garrety
    Vyto Ruginis
    Vyto Ruginis
    • Mitch Weaver - Justice Department
    Laura Harrington
    Laura Harrington
    • Melissa Black
    Pamela Gray
    Pamela Gray
    • Mrs. Diana Barzoon
    George Wyner
    George Wyner
    • Meisel
    Chris Bauer
    Chris Bauer
    • Lloyd Gettys
    • (as Christopher Bauer)
    Connie Embesi
    • Mrs. Bernice Gettys
    Jonathan Cavallary
    • Gettys' Son
    Heather Matarazzo
    Heather Matarazzo
    • Barbara
    • Director
      • Taylor Hackford
    • Writers
      • Andrew Neiderman
      • Jonathan Lemkin
      • Tony Gilroy
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews638

    7.5430.9K
    1
    2
    3
    4
    5
    6
    7
    8
    9
    10

    Featured reviews

    Wild-2

    Keanu's deal with the devil

    I don't think you could put this movies in a particular catagory. It's not quite a drama and it's not quite a thriller but a bit of both. Both the movie is good, for instead of making the devil just a blood thirsty killer, it's based on temptation. Al Pacino lives in a world of beautiful women, money, power, and no guilt. There is a lot of nudity and extreme violence in this movie, but if it wasn't there the movies purpose and story wouldn't work. The final half of this movie put me in more suspense then any movie has in a long time. In conclusion, don't miss this film.
    10boognish-6

    The Most Underrated Film of the '90s

    The reviews for "The Devil's Advocate" were not too kind, to say the least. But what did the critics refuse to see in this? With movies nowadays being nothing but flashy, over-the-top, masturbatory, CG-fests, "The Devil's Advocate" holds up like osmium.

    The cinematography is good because it's quite understated and that's a virtue in today's cinema. The acting, while containing pretty lame Southern accents, is still pretty good. Even from Keanu, dude.

    Sorely forgotten in it's day, the script tells a very deep, original and interesting story, with lots of development, respect for the characters, delicate pacing, and a head-spinning ending. The movie is solely about the people and their struggles. Fear takes hold of the audience through the dialogue.

    Think of "The Devil's Advocate" as Woody Allen trying his hand at a horror/thriller and succeeding. This movie never makes you jump, but it puts you in a general state of discomfort through it's atmosphere. As with all memorable supernatural dramas, this one handles its spectacle with discretion and grace.

    Isn't that what we hope to see when we watch any movie? 10/10
    9EdwardsMovieKit

    All Quality Elements of a Magnificent Movie!!!

    I watched this movie on DVD. It will be enough for me to mention that there had been no other movie where I'd had to pause the play in mere awe at the magnificence of the storyline! At a point, It was as if I could see my jaw on the floor praising in thorough amusement the brilliance, relevance-to-our-daily-lives, deepness of message, sophistication, great portrayal, top-of-the-class creativity, marvelous acting/directing/screen writing all having come together in a movie, which called for a rating of 9 out of 10 and no less, certainly, undoubtedly.

    Al-Pacino's acting is to no surprise as brilliant as ever, exuding confidence, proficiency and clarity as always. Keanu Reaves leaves a great master-play in his work, meeting up to the acting skills required in displaying a character of wisdom, success, love and perhaps, of vanity. Charize Theron too puts up a play of passion in its right.

    But what amused me more than all were the great and fantastic script-lines thrown around. All very meaningful and interesting indeed. The whole movie got me stunned and fixed at the edge of my desk seat, but the favorite part for me has to come at the end, where the theme of the movie comes to words and finds a chance as of clarifying itself in one the most brilliant ways I as one have ever seen possible! Recommended for everybody willing to enjoin on a meaningful story and a blend of excellent plays... surely a 9/10.
    Special-K88

    this is how you make a thriller

    Stylish, sexy, suspenseful thriller stars Reeves as an accomplished southern lawyer who's never been beaten; he travels to New York City to take a job with powerful legal mogul Pacino, but his once ideal life is soon turned upside down as he's plunged into a surreal, demonic world of lust, temptation, and vanity. Slick writing, direction, and an array of startling scenes, breathtaking effects, and dazzling performances make this an imaginative thriller quite unlike any other. Reeves gives one of his finest performances to date, aided immeasurably by a wild, wickedly over-the-top performance from Pacino and a first-rate supporting cast. Not for all tastes, but highly watchable indeed. ***½
    9ereinion

    A beguiling experience

    This is one of the most intensely dark and beguiling movies I have seen. The purpose behind it is to create a moral drama about the fight between good and evil in a man, or the devil's everlasting quest to conquer man's soul. In retrospective, there are few movies I've seen that bring out such strong feelings in me. Specially the first hour. We follow a young couple, played by Reeves and Theron in her first big picture, who move to New York from the south when he is given a job as attorney in one of the biggest firms in the country. We see the change come in Kevin as he is introduced to a world of luxury and pleasure by his boss, THE DEVIL, played by old master Al Pacino.

    The ending brings a new, unpredictable and great twist to the story. I will not give it away. The supporting cast is pretty strong, specially Jeffrey Jones who plays a senior partner in Lucifer Pacino's firm and who first arises the suspicion in Kevin/Keanu with his mysterious behaviour, and Connie Nielsen as Cristabella, an extremely hot Italian colleague who is the very symbol of temptation. Nielsen looked even better here than in "Gladiator" and her performance is also more interesting. Charlize Theron displayed her range here for the first time, showing she had a great potential to become a star with her mix of ethereal beauty and acting talent. Reeves was also very good as the hotshot attorney and his looks elevated his macho hero potential. Al Pacino didn't disappoint, but his performance here counts as one of his least spectacular.

    This is a dark movie with elements of horror and some gore and sex thrown in for good measure. I think Taylor Hackford never did it better. He gave us something to ponder on while entertaining and scaring us at the same time. It is a film one can't forget.9/10

    Best Emmys Moments

    Best Emmys Moments
    Discover nominees and winners, red carpet looks, and more from the Emmys!

    More like this

    Scent of a Woman
    8.0
    Scent of a Woman
    Constantine
    7.0
    Constantine
    Donnie Brasco
    7.7
    Donnie Brasco
    The Advocate's Devil
    5.7
    The Advocate's Devil
    The Butterfly Effect
    7.6
    The Butterfly Effect
    The Game
    7.7
    The Game
    The Devil's Advocate
    7.5
    The Devil's Advocate
    Mystic River
    7.9
    Mystic River
    Carlito's Way
    7.9
    Carlito's Way
    Scarface
    8.3
    Scarface
    The Godfather Part III
    7.6
    The Godfather Part III
    Insomnia
    7.2
    Insomnia

    Related interests

    George Clooney in Michael Clayton (2007)
    Legal Thriller
    Mahershala Ali and Alex R. Hibbert in Moonlight (2016)
    Drama
    Elijah Wood in The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001)
    Fantasy
    Jack Nicholson and Faye Dunaway in Chinatown (1974)
    Mystery
    Cho Yeo-jeong in Parasite (2019)
    Thriller

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Keanu Reeves accepted a lower salary so the producers could pay Al Pacino's asking price. When Pacino later heard about this, he donated the same amount of his salary to charity.
    • Goofs
      Pam says she's working on getting Kevin entered into the New York bar, but New York and Florida do not have a reciprocity agreement, meaning Kevin would have to sit for the New York bar exam.
    • Quotes

      [last lines]

      John Milton: Vanity, definitely my favorite sin.

    • Alternate versions
      After the film's initial release, Washington National Cathedral asked sculptor Frederick Hart to join in a suit against Warner Bros. claiming that a large sculpture prominently featured in the film on the wall of Al Pacino's penthouse apartment is an unauthorized copy of Hart's work "Ex Nihilo", displayed at the entrance of the cathedral. When the court stated that film's video released would be delayed if the case went to trial, Warner agreed to settle the case in February 1998. For all future releases, 20 minutes of scenes where the sculpture can be seen were edited to remove similarities with Hart's work.
    • Connections
      Featured in Siskel & Ebert: The Devil's Advocate/I Know What You Did Last Summer/Playing God/Telling Lies in America/Eye of God/Year of the Horse (1997)
    • Soundtracks
      Paint It Black
      Written by Mick Jagger & Keith Richards

      Performed by The Rolling Stones

      Produced by Andrew Loog Oldham (as Andrew Oldham)

      By arrangement with ABKCO Music & Records, Inc.

    Top picks

    Sign in to rate and Watchlist for personalized recommendations
    Sign in

    FAQ22

    • How long is The Devil's Advocate?Powered by Alexa
    • What are the differences between the Theatrical Version and all Home Cinema Versions?
    • What are the differences between the DVD Version and the Unrated Director's Cut Blu-ray Version?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • October 17, 1997 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Official site
      • WarnerBros.com
    • Languages
      • English
      • German
      • Italian
      • Mandarin
      • Spanish
    • Also known as
      • El abogado del diablo
    • Filming locations
      • Trump Tower - 725 Fifth Avenue, Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA(Cullen's apartment - Donald Trump's personal home)
    • Production companies
      • Warner Bros.
      • New Regency Productions
      • Kopelson Entertainment
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $57,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $60,944,660
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $12,170,536
      • Oct 19, 1997
    • Gross worldwide
      • $152,944,660
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 2h 24m(144 min)
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • DTS
      • Dolby Digital
      • SDDS
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.39 : 1

    Contribute to this page

    Suggest an edit or add missing content
    • Learn more about contributing
    Edit page

    More to explore

    Recently viewed

    Please enable browser cookies to use this feature. Learn more.
    Get the IMDb App
    Sign in for more accessSign in for more access
    Follow IMDb on social
    Get the IMDb App
    For Android and iOS
    Get the IMDb App
    • Help
    • Site Index
    • IMDbPro
    • Box Office Mojo
    • License IMDb Data
    • Press Room
    • Advertising
    • Jobs
    • Conditions of Use
    • Privacy Policy
    • Your Ads Privacy Choices
    IMDb, an Amazon company

    © 1990-2025 by IMDb.com, Inc.