Devil

Well a couple of things worried me when I started this movie. One was the tagline on the front of the DVD box – "Step into the Hellevator". Now that's a corny promo line. The second was the statement "From the Mind of M. Night Shyamalan".

Now I, like countless others, at one point thought Shyamalan might be the saviour of the horror/supernatural genre. His first two films, Sixth Sense and Unbreakable, were superb, original, well plotted and gripping. But since then he's been on a downwards spiral with no seeming way back to average never mind his earlier brilliance. This film however has made me think again.

It's a simple enough premise – take a handful of people, each with a dark secret, trap them in a lift and unleash supernatural spookiness and gory violence on them. Add a second plotline featuring a recovering alcoholic cop trying to control a deteriorating situation and keep the people alive long enough to be rescued.

This film surprised me. It's harrowing, playing on the common fear of confined spaces. The direction was on the money, kept a tight focus to match the setting, heightened the tension well and avoided overusing effects. An excess of CGI in a small space could feel overwhelming. And although not blessed with a roster of A-list stars the actors also step up. There is not a single cast member you could say was a weak link.

The only negative I could find was its short length. The end felt rushed. It's a minor quibble though.

Page updated 25 March, 2011