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Drama thriller

The Devil All the Time (2020): Cast, Ratings & Box Office

The Devil All the Time (2020) movie poster

The Devil All the Time is a 2020 drama thriller directed by Antonio Campos, starring Bill Skarsgård as Willard, Haley Bennett and Jason Clarke. It is based on The Devil All the Time by Donald Ray Pollock. It runs 2 hours 18 minutes and earned $12,008 worldwide. Critics gave it 65% on Rotten Tomatoes and 55 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.1/10.

IMDb rating
7.1/10
Rotten Tomatoes
65%
worldwide gross
$12K
Echo Score
80
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The Devil All the Time (2020) movie poster
Released
Runtime
2h 18m (138 min)
Director
Antonio Campos
Genres
Drama , Thriller , Horror , Crime
Original language
English
Studio
Netflix
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is The Devil All the Time About?

The premise of The Devil All the Time without spoilers, adapted from The Devil All the Time by Donald Ray Pollock. The whole story and the ending explained are in the plot summary further down.

Set against a backdrop of post-World War II America through the 1960s, the story follows several characters whose lives intersect in a web of violence, faith, and darkness. Willard Russell, a troubled war veteran, grapples with the loss of his wife, Charlotte, to cancer. Meanwhile, a couple, Carl and Sandy Henderson, embark on a spree of serial killings targeting young women. A corrupt pastor, Roy, and his accomplice, Theodore, are desperately trying to evade the law. At the heart of this turmoil is Arvin Russell, Willard and Charlotte’s son, whose life is profoundly affected by the events unfolding around him.

The Devil All the Time Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • hand job
  • blow job
  • fellatio
  • neo noir
  • erection
  • luger
  • reference to chicago illinois
  • boy
  • world war two
  • male nudity
  • cigarette smoking
  • smoking tobacco
+38 more
  • tobacco
  • evil
  • post war
  • negative film
  • cross
  • grave site
  • solomon islands
  • riding a bus
  • flashback
  • war scene
  • coffee
  • guitar
  • singing
  • singing in church
  • church
  • church sermon
  • black eye
  • beating someone up
  • cancer
  • doctor
  • praying
  • eating a pie
  • narrator
  • death of a parent
  • baby
  • flashlight
  • wet stone
  • wheelchair
  • stabbed in the neck
  • shot to death
  • shot in the head
  • west virginia
  • present
  • birthday present
  • bag over someone's head
  • father son relationship
  • cursing
  • reference to ava gardner
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Cast & crew

The Devil All the Time Cast & Characters

Bill Skarsgård leads the cast as Willard, with Haley Bennett as Charlotte and Jason Clarke as Carl. Directed by Antonio Campos; 18 actors are credited in all.

From the director

More from Antonio Campos

More films directed by Antonio Campos, best-rated first: Christine, Homemade, Afterschool and Simon Killer.

Full filmography
Ratings

The Devil All the Time Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave The Devil All the Time 65% on Rotten Tomatoes and 55 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.1/10. Our Echo Score gives it 80/100, strongest in character & emotion (90) and weakest in story & flow (65).

80 /100

The Devil All the Time Echo Score Breakdown

The Devil All the Time delivers a predominantly compelling experience with standout performances and a distinctive gothic atmosphere. While critics praised the ensemble cast and thoughtful exploration of faith-related tragedy, many noted occasional narrative repetition and structural confusion. The intertwining plots maintain engagement through measured pacing and thematic resonance, though some viewers found the flashbacks monotonous and the tone exhausting. Overall, the film’s strong acting and atmospheric design outweigh its story flaws, resulting in a film that leaves a lasting impression despite uneven moments.

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

  • Art & Craft 80

    In terms of art and craft, the film showcases deliberate direction and a coherent gothic visual palette. The production design effectively evokes rural midcentury settings and the editing delivers measured pacing, though some reviewers criticized extended flashbacks as repetitive. The film’s judicious use of framing and lighting supports its bleak tone. Overall, the technical execution is polished but not without occasional structural overindulgence.

  • Character & Emotion 90

    When it comes to character and emotion, the ensemble benefits from world-class performances, with the cast convincingly portraying complex, weathered individuals. Tom Holland and Robert Pattinson draw frequent acclaim for their nuanced portrayals, and the chemistry among the supporting actors reinforces the narrative’s somber atmosphere. A minor dissent notes uneven casting, but the overall character work remains a highlight.

  • Story & Flow 65

    In terms of story and flow, the film offers a compelling interwoven narrative with thematic depth and measured pacing. Critics and viewers alike praised its bold exploration of religion’s impact, though several accounts point to confusing structure and repetitive flashback sequences that undercut coherence. While the plot maintains engagement through emotional stakes, its uneven organization can feel taxing.

  • Sensory Experience 75

    In sensory experience, the film’s dark tone and gothic production design create an immersive atmosphere that lingers after viewing. The visual cohesion of the midwestern setting is complemented by a subtle soundscape that intensifies suspense, though specific praise for the score or sound design was limited. Overall, the sensory elements effectively support the narrative’s bleak mood.

  • Rewatch Factor 75

    When considering rewatch factor, the film’s atmospheric style and strong performances encourage repeat viewings for thematic reexamination. Several viewers expressed intent to revisit the narrative to appreciate its layered tragedies, and the resonant ending has prompted ongoing discussion. A few found the unrelenting tone challenging for subsequent viewings, but the lasting emotional impact drives rewatch appeal.

Plot

The Devil All the Time Plot Summary & Ending Explained

What happens in The Devil All the Time from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 14 key events and the ending explained. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

During World War II, Marine Willard Russell discovers Gunnery Sergeant Miller Jones brutally skinned and crucified by the Japanese. In a merciful act, Willard ends Jones’ suffering with a gunshot to the head. After the war, en route to his hometown of Coal Creek, West Virginia, Willard stops in Meade, Ohio, where he meets Charlotte, a diner waitress. They marry and settle in Knockemstiff, Ohio, where they welcome a son named Arvin.

Full summary

The whole story of The Devil All the Time, scene by scene, with the ending explained

Read the full summary
Box office

The Devil All the Time Box Office

The Devil All the Time grossed $12,008 worldwide.

2020 box office

Worldwide gross

$12K

International
$12K
Videos

The Devil All the Time Trailers & Videos

18 videos: 1 trailer, 6 clips, 10 featurettes and 1 behind-the-scenes video.

All 18 videos
The Devil All The Time starring Tom Holland & Robert Pattinson | Official Trailer | Netflix
  • Clip The Devil All The Time | Church Scene | Netflix
  • Clip The Devil All The Time | The Opening Sequence | Netflix
  • Clip The Devil All the Time | You Got Time For a Sinner? Clip | Netflix
  • Clip The Devil All the Time | Robert Pattinson Accent Clip | Netflix
Quiz

How Well Do You Know The Devil All the Time?

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

What traumatic event does Willard Russell recall from his time in World War II?

Cars

Cars in The Devil All the Time

42 cars on screen, including the 1966 Chevrolet Impala Wagon and the 1948 Ford F-1.

All 42 cars
  • 1966 Chevrolet Impala Wagon in The Devil All the Time 1966 Chevrolet Impala Wagon Main role
  • 1948 Ford F-1 in The Devil All the Time 1948 Ford F-1 Main role
  • 1954 Plymouth Savoy in The Devil All the Time 1954 Plymouth Savoy Main role
  • 1961 Cadillac Series 62 in The Devil All the Time 1961 Cadillac Series 62 Important role
Details

The Devil All the Time Also Known As

29 alternative titles, including “데빌 올 더 타임” and “Düş Yakamdan Şeytan”.

Also known as
  • 데빌 올 더 타임
  • Düş Yakamdan Şeytan
  • Das Handwerk des Teufels
  • O Diabo de Cada Dia
  • Диявол завжди тут
  • Diabeł wcielony
  • Le Diable, tout le temps
  • El diablo a todas horas
  • Düş Yaxamdan Şeytan
  • Дяволът през цялото време
  • 악마는 사라지지 않는다
  • Πάντα ο Διάβολος
+17 more
  • Le strade del male
  • 神弃之地
  • Sempre o Diabo
  • Диявол назавжди
  • Дьявол всегда здесь
  • תמיד השטן
  • Ďábel
  • Mindig az ördöggel
  • 神棄之地
  • Vùng Đất Bị Ruồng Bỏ
  • Velnias visada šalia
  • ศรัทธาคนบาป
  • شیطان تمام وقت
  • 悪魔はいつもそこに
  • Ђаво је увек ту, ეშმაკი ყოველთვის აქაა
  • Ves čas hudič
  • Întotdeauna diavolul

Seen The Devil All the Time?

FAQ

The Devil All the Time FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, the book behind it and post-credit scenes of The Devil All the Time, each answered in a sentence.

How long is The Devil All the Time?

The Devil All the Time runs 2 hours 18 minutes (138 minutes).

When was The Devil All the Time released?

The Devil All the Time was released on September 16, 2020.

Who directed The Devil All the Time?

The Devil All the Time was directed by Antonio Campos.

More films by Antonio Campos

Who is in the cast of The Devil All the Time?

The Devil All the Time stars Bill Skarsgård as Willard, Haley Bennett as Charlotte and Jason Clarke as Carl, among 18 credited actors.

How much did The Devil All the Time make at the box office?

The Devil All the Time grossed $12,008 worldwide.

How is The Devil All the Time rated?

The Devil All the Time has 7.1/10 on IMDb, 65% on Rotten Tomatoes, 55 on Metacritic and 72% on TMDB.

Is The Devil All the Time based on a book?

Yes. The Devil All the Time is adapted from The Devil All the Time by Donald Ray Pollock.

Does The Devil All the Time have a post-credit scene?

No. The Devil All the Time has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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