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Crime documentary

The Devil on Trial (2023): Cast, Ratings & Where to Watch

The Devil on Trial (2023) movie poster

The Devil on Trial is a 2023 crime documentary directed by Chris Holt, starring Foster Hamilton as David Glatzel, Adam Hunt and Arne Cheyenne Johnson. It runs 1 hour 21 minutes. Critics gave it 29% on Rotten Tomatoes, and IMDb users rate it 5.6/10. Stream it on Netflix.

IMDb rating
5.6/10
Rotten Tomatoes
29%
Echo Score
30
The Devil on Trial (2023) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 21m (81 min)
Director
Chris Holt
Genres
Documentary , Crime , Horror
Original language
English
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is The Devil on Trial About?

The premise of The Devil on Trial without spoilers.

This film explores the disturbing true story of a young man believed to be possessed, culminating in a tragic murder. Combining reenactments with unsettling home video footage, it examines the events leading up to the horrifying crime and the devastating impact of demonic possession on all involved. The narrative delves into the psychological and emotional toll experienced by the family and those who tried to help.

The Devil on Trial Themes & Keywords

· 19 tags
  • justice
  • 1980s
  • investigation
  • demon
  • devil
  • demonic possession
  • crime documentary
  • courtroom
  • trial
  • criminal
  • year 1981
  • 20th century
+7 more
  • court case
  • case
  • true crime
  • guilty
  • innocent
  • court
  • reenactment
Where to watch

Where to Watch The Devil on Trial

Stream it on Netflix. US availability and prices from JustWatch.

Streaming availability in the US, powered by JustWatch logo

Cast & crew

The Devil on Trial Cast & Characters

Foster Hamilton leads the cast as David Glatzel, with Adam Hunt and Arne Cheyenne Johnson. Directed by Chris Holt; 11 actors are credited in all.

Ratings

The Devil on Trial Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave The Devil on Trial 29% on Rotten Tomatoes, and IMDb users rate it 5.6/10. Our Echo Score gives it 30/100, strongest in sensory experience (50) and weakest in rewatch factor (20).

30 /100

The Devil on Trial Echo Score Breakdown

The Devil on Trial delivers a largely unsatisfying documentary experience, with its primary shortcomings rooted in a disjointed narrative and superficial treatment of its subject. While a few reviewers note occasional visual interest and a balanced presentation of beliefs, the majority highlight weak organization, shallow character focus, and limited insight. Consequently, the film offers little lasting appeal or rewatch value overall.

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

  • Art & Craft 35

    In terms of direction and craft, the documentary shows uneven execution. Critics point out a poorly organized narrative and reliance on sensationalist visuals, while users cite tiring edits and a hasty assembly of reenactments. A minority appreciate occasional cinematographic choices and authentic audio recordings. The cumulative assessment indicates limited technical proficiency, placing the art and craft rating in the low‑to‑mid range.

  • Character & Emotion 25

    Regarding character depth and emotional resonance, the film falls short. Reviewers observe that the central figure receives minimal focus, with the narrative instead emphasizing peripheral participants, resulting in a shallow connection for viewers. Comments note an absence of nuanced performances and limited chemistry among interviewees. While one critic acknowledges a balanced portrayal of believers and skeptics, the overall character handling remains underdeveloped.

  • Story & Flow 30

    In terms of story coherence and pacing, the documentary appears fragmented. Critics describe the narrative as disjointed, with an overreliance on background exposition that fails to engage. Users echo this sentiment, mentioning that the film leaves many questions unanswered and that the chronology feels tiring. A few reviewers note occasional intriguing twists, yet the prevailing view is that the plot lacks originality and fluid momentum.

  • Sensory Experience 50

    When evaluating sensory elements, the film offers sporadic strengths amid overall inconsistency. Some viewers appreciate specific cinematographic choices, such as framing and the inclusion of authentic audio recordings, describing them as visually engaging. However, numerous critiques highlight a monotonous sound design and a disjointed visual style that detracts from immersion. The mixed feedback positions the sensory experience in a moderate, below‑average bracket.

  • Rewatch Factor 20

    The rewatch factor for the documentary is low. Critics and users alike note that the material provides little new insight and often repeats familiar arguments, diminishing incentive for a second viewing. While a few commend the balanced perspective as thought‑provoking, the pervasive sense of redundancy and shallow execution outweighs any potential lasting appeal. Consequently, repeat engagement is unlikely.

Videos

The Devil on Trial Trailers & Videos

2 videos: 1 trailer and 1 clip.

Official Trailer
  • Clip Official Clip
Details

The Devil on Trial Also Known As

27 alternative titles, including “شیطان در دادگاه” and “شیطان در محاکمه”.

Also known as
  • شیطان در دادگاه
  • شیطان در محاکمه
  • محاکمه شیطان
  • トゥルーホラー 悪魔が私に殺させた
  • Demonbesatt i gjerningsøyeblikket
  • 악마 재판
  • Proces diabła
  • พิพากษาปีศาจ
  • O Diabo no Tribunal
  • Le Diable pour alibi
  • Суд над Дияволом
  • The Devil on Trial - Processo al diavolo
+15 more
  • 审判恶魔
  • Az ördög a vádlottak padján
  • Juicio al diablo
  • משפט השטן
  • Суд над дьяволом
  • Şeytan Davası
  • Ďábelské alibi
  • 惡魔的審判
  • Phiên Tòa Xử Quỷ Ám
  • トゥルーホラー: 悪魔が私に殺させた
  • Η Δίκη του Διαβόλου
  • Ђаво на суду
  • 被審判的惡魔
  • Der Teufel auf der Anklagebank
  • Diavolul ca inculpat

Seen The Devil on Trial?

FAQ

The Devil on Trial FAQ: Where to Watch, Cast & Runtime

Runtime, release date, director, cast, where to watch, ratings and post-credit scenes of The Devil on Trial, each answered in a sentence.

How long is The Devil on Trial?

The Devil on Trial runs 1 hour 21 minutes (81 minutes).

When was The Devil on Trial released?

The Devil on Trial was released on October 17, 2023.

Who directed The Devil on Trial?

The Devil on Trial was directed by Chris Holt.

More films by Chris Holt

Who is in the cast of The Devil on Trial?

The Devil on Trial stars Foster Hamilton as David Glatzel, Adam Hunt and Arne Cheyenne Johnson, among 11 credited actors.

Where can I watch The Devil on Trial?

In the US, The Devil on Trial is streaming on Netflix (availability from JustWatch).

How is The Devil on Trial rated?

The Devil on Trial has 5.6/10 on IMDb, 29% on Rotten Tomatoes and 59% on TMDB.

Does The Devil on Trial have a post-credit scene?

No. The Devil on Trial has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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