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Drama horror film

I Trapped the Devil (2019): Cast, Ratings, Plot & Where to Watch

I Trapped the Devil (2019) movie poster

I Trapped the Devil is a 2019 drama horror film directed by Josh Lobo, starring AJ Bowen as Matt, Scott Poythress and Susan Burke. It runs 1 hour 22 minutes and was made on a reported $1 million budget. Critics gave it 71% on Rotten Tomatoes and 47 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 4.8/10. Stream it on AMC Plus and AMC+, or rent or buy it on Amazon Video and Apple TV Store.

IMDb rating
4.8/10
Rotten Tomatoes
71%
Echo Score
66
Metascore
47
I Trapped the Devil (2019) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 22m (82 min)
Director
Josh Lobo
Genres
Drama , Mystery , Horror
Original language
English
Budget
$1M
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is I Trapped the Devil About?

The premise of I Trapped the Devil without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

During a Christmas visit to their estranged brother Steve, Matt and Karen find themselves embroiled in a terrifying ordeal. They discover a man held captive in his basement, and Steve claims this prisoner is the devil. As Steve’s behavior becomes increasingly erratic, Matt and Karen struggle to determine if he's experiencing a mental breakdown or if a genuine evil is at work. Their holiday gathering quickly spirals into a disturbing confrontation filled with fear, paranoia, and a desperate fight for survival.

I Trapped the Devil Themes & Keywords

· 23 tags
  • christmas
  • small cast
  • devil
  • family relationships
  • open ending
  • one location horror
  • one location
  • eerie drawing
  • prologue
  • ambiguous character
  • husband wife relationship
  • heterosexual couple
+11 more
  • smoking
  • brother brother relationship
  • brother
  • paranoia
  • kidnapping
  • holiday horror
  • christmas horror
  • four word title
  • first person title
  • natural horror
  • creature feature
Where to watch

Where to Watch I Trapped the Devil

Stream it on AMC Plus and AMC+, or rent or buy it from Amazon Video and Apple TV Store. US availability and prices from JustWatch.

Streaming availability in the US, powered by JustWatch logo

Cast & crew

I Trapped the Devil Cast & Characters

AJ Bowen leads the cast as Matt, with Scott Poythress as Steve and Susan Burke as Karen. Directed by Josh Lobo; 10 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in I Trapped the Devil

· 6 more
Ratings

I Trapped the Devil Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave I Trapped the Devil 71% on Rotten Tomatoes and 47 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 4.8/10. Our Echo Score gives it 66/100, strongest in sensory experience (80) and weakest in story & flow (50).

66 /100

I Trapped the Devil Echo Score Breakdown

In overall terms, I Trapped the Devil presents a compelling atmosphere undercut by a slow-moving narrative. The film’s methodical direction and unsettling imagery offer a distinctive tone, yet many viewers found its pacing uneven and its story underdeveloped. Performances, particularly in lead roles, contribute some emotional anchor, though secondary characters often lack depth. Sensory elements such as sound design and score consistently impress. Ultimately, the film offers an intriguing mood piece but delivers only modest narrative payoff.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 75

    In terms of art and craft, the film excels at establishing a claustrophobic ambience through deliberate framing and textured production design. Atmospheric lighting choices and measured editing enhance the sense of dread, even when low-budget constraints become apparent. Some viewers noted that extreme darkness occasionally obscures details. Overall, the visual toolkit remains a key asset.

  • Character & Emotion 60

    When it comes to character and emotion, lead performances provide moments of genuine tension, with the protagonist’s anxious mannerisms offering credibility. However, supporting roles suffer from limited development and uneven chemistry, which diminishes engagement. Emotional stakes emerge sporadically but are hindered by a lack of backstory. As a result, character investment feels inconsistent.

  • Story & Flow 50

    In terms of story and flow, the film relies on a slow-burning structure that builds suspense over extended stretches. While this approach yields intriguing moments, the pacing often drifts into tedium and raises more questions than it resolves. Plot coherence falters in the final act, and thematic threads fail to fully coalesce. Consequently, narrative satisfaction is mixed.

  • Sensory Experience 80

    When it comes to the sensory experience, the score and sound design deliver haunting undertones that amplify tension throughout. The soundtrack is memorable, though its frequent repetition occasionally dulls its impact. Visually, the film’s stark color contrasts and shadowy compositions reinforce its unsettling mood. Together, these elements consistently enhance the atmosphere.

  • Rewatch Factor 65

    In terms of rewatch value, the film’s pervasive mood and cryptic elements may appeal to dedicated genre enthusiasts on repeat viewings. The slow pace and unresolved mysteries offer interpretive space but may deter those seeking a tight narrative. While some audiences admire its layered ambiguity, others find the lack of clear resolution diminishes lasting appeal.

Plot

I Trapped the Devil Plot Summary

What happens in I Trapped the Devil from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 4-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

Matt and his wife, Karen, unexpectedly decide to visit Matt’s troubled brother, Steve, during the Christmas holidays. Upon arriving, they notice the home’s blacked-out windows and an eerie vibe that makes Matt uneasy. He expresses his concerns to Karen, who senses that something is distinctly off. As they settle in, Steve begins to share unsettling experiences, revealing that he has been haunted by visions of his deceased wife, Sarah, appearing through static on the television screens. To make matters worse, he receives mysterious and disturbing phone calls from an unknown caller.

Full summary

The whole story of I Trapped the Devil, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Videos

I Trapped the Devil Trailers & Videos

8 videos: 2 trailers and 6 clips.

All 8 videos
Official Trailer
  • Trailer UK Trailer
  • Clip Clip "Good, Bad, Evil"
  • Clip Clip "I Gotta Show You Something"
  • Clip Clip "I Know You Felt It"
Quiz

How Well Do You Know I Trapped the Devil?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

Who are the main characters that arrive at Steve's house during the Christmas celebration?

Cars

Cars in I Trapped the Devil

1 car on screen: the BMW 3 E30.

  • BMW 3 E30 in I Trapped the Devil BMW 3 E30 Minor role
Details

I Trapped the Devil Also Known As

8 alternative titles, including “A Man in the Dark” and “Παγίδεψα τον Διάβολο”.

Also known as
  • A Man in the Dark
  • Παγίδεψα τον Διάβολο
  • Uwięziłem diabła
  • Я поймал Дьявола
  • 나는 악마를 가뒀다
  • Залових дявола
  • לכדתי את השטן
  • 我制服了恶魔

Seen I Trapped the Devil?

FAQ

I Trapped the Devil FAQ: Where to Watch, Cast & Runtime

Runtime, release date, director, cast, where to watch, budget, ratings and post-credit scenes of I Trapped the Devil, each answered in a sentence.

How long is I Trapped the Devil?

I Trapped the Devil runs 1 hour 22 minutes (82 minutes).

When was I Trapped the Devil released?

I Trapped the Devil was released on April 26, 2019.

Who directed I Trapped the Devil?

I Trapped the Devil was directed by Josh Lobo.

Who is in the cast of I Trapped the Devil?

I Trapped the Devil stars AJ Bowen as Matt, Scott Poythress as Steve and Susan Burke as Karen, among 10 credited actors.

Where can I watch I Trapped the Devil?

In the US, I Trapped the Devil is streaming on AMC Plus, AMC+ and Kanopy and available to rent or buy on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store and Fandango At Home (availability from JustWatch).

What was the budget of I Trapped the Devil?

I Trapped the Devil had a reported budget of $1 million.

How is I Trapped the Devil rated?

I Trapped the Devil has 4.8/10 on IMDb, 71% on Rotten Tomatoes, 47 on Metacritic and 50% on TMDB.

Does I Trapped the Devil have a post-credit scene?

No. I Trapped the Devil has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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