Directed by
John Erick Dowdle
Made by
Universal Pictures
Read the complete plot summary and ending explained for Devil (2010). From turning points to emotional moments, uncover what really happened and why it matters.
The film begins with a haunting narration from Ramirez, who recounts how his mother always warns of the Devil roaming the earth, with each tale starting with a suicide. In a jarring incident in Philadelphia, a man jumps from a skyscraper, prompting Detective Bowden to investigate the scene. Bowden, a recovering alcoholic haunted by the tragic loss of his wife and child in an unsolved hit-and-run, grapples with personal demons as he delves into the case.
Meanwhile, five individuals with checkered pasts find themselves trapped in an elevator within the same building. Among them is Ben Larson, a temp security guard with a history of violence; an elderly woman (played by Jenny O’Hara), plagued by compulsive stealing; Vince McCormick, a mattress salesman tangled in fraudulent schemes; Tony, a war veteran seeking a new job; and Sarah Caraway, the wife of the building’s security owner, currently in a legal meeting.
As the plot thickens, tension rises within the elevator as it abruptly stalls between floors. After an eerie power outage, Sarah suffers an unexplained injury, leading the others to suspect Vince of malice. The situation deteriorates further when the occupants begin to die one by one, with the first victim being Vince, who meets a gruesome end via a shard of glass. Detective Bowden, sensing an eerie link to the earlier suicide, is driven to uncover a deeper truth as he scrutinizes the building’s guest log, noting that four individuals have missed their appointments, including Sarah, Vince, Ben, and an individual misreported as Jane Kowski.
The plot escalates with the shocking conclusion that the old woman is actually the Devil in disguise, as she reveals herself amidst the chaos, claiming Tony as her next victim. The story reaches its climax when Tony, burdened by the guilt of his past actions—a fatal drunken hit-and-run—confesses, uttering, > “I’m so sorry.” This moment of penance disrupts the Devil’s intentions, allowing him to escape her grasp. As the fire rescue team breaks through to the elevator, Bowden is left stunned by his encounters.
Ultimately, as the film draws to a close, the revelation that Tony is arrested for the death of Bowden’s family emerges, yet forgiveness unexpectedly follows. The narrative ends on a reflective note, with Ramirez remarking, “If the Devil is real, then God must be real, too,” leaving the audience to ponder the implications of good versus evil in the shadows of their fates. The chilling story ends with the screen fading to black, evoking thoughts of redemption and morality.
Follow the complete movie timeline of Devil (2010) with every major event in chronological order. Great for understanding complex plots and story progression.
Ramirez's Haunting Narration
The film opens with a chilling narration from Ramirez, who recounts the dark tales his mother shared about the Devil roaming the earth. Each story begins with a suicide, setting a foreboding tone for the events that unfold.
A Suicide in Philadelphia
In a shocking event, a man jumps from a skyscraper in Philadelphia, capturing the attention of Detective Bowden. The incident serves as a grim introduction to the detective's world, filled with personal struggles and unresolved grief.
Detective Bowden's Investigation
Detective Bowden begins to investigate the suicide, grappling with his past as a recovering alcoholic haunted by the tragic loss of his wife and child. His personal demons are intertwined with the case, adding complexity to his character.
Five Individuals Trapped
Within the same building, five diverse individuals with troubled pasts find themselves trapped in an elevator. The group includes Ben, a violent temp security guard; an elderly woman battling compulsive stealing; and Vince, a dishonest mattress salesman.
Elevator Stalling
Tension escalates as the elevator suddenly stalls between floors due to a mysterious power outage. The occupants become increasingly fraught as unexplained events unfold, creating an atmosphere of distrust among them.
Injury and Suspicions
After the power outage, Sarah suffers an unexplained injury, leading the others to suspect Vince is the cause. This incident heightens the fear and paranoia within the confined space as accusations begin to fly.
First Murder Occurs
As panic sets in, the horror escalates with the murder of Vince, who meets a terrifying end due to a piece of glass. This shocking turn of events transforms the elevator from a claustrophobic space to a scene of chaos.
Detective Bowden's Investigation Deepens
Detective Bowden explores the building's guest log, discovering that several individuals, including Sarah and Ben, have missed their appointments. His investigative instincts connect the dots, hinting at a sinister pattern.
The Devil Revealed
The tension culminates in a startling revelation that the elderly woman is the Devil in disguise. She announces her intention to claim Tony as her next victim, intensifying the struggle between good and evil within the elevator.
Tony's Moment of Confession
Amidst the chaos, Tony confesses to his past crime of a fatal hit-and-run, uttering an apology that disrupts the Devil's plans. This moment of penance shifts the dynamics drastically as he fights for his life against evil.
Fire Rescue Team Breaks Through
As the fire rescue team finally breaks through to the elevator, the survivors are left in shock. Detective Bowden processes the reality of what has transpired and the connections to his lost family.
Tony's Arrest
In a dramatic finale, Tony is arrested for the death of Detective Bowden's family. The revelation forces both characters into a confrontation with their past choices and the theme of forgiveness.
Ramirez's Closing Reflection
As the film approaches its conclusion, Ramirez delivers a haunting reflection on the nature of good and evil. He concludes that if the Devil exists, so too must the concept of God, leaving viewers to ponder deeply philosophical questions.
Final Fade to Black
The narrative ends with the screen gradually fading to black, evoking a sense of unease and reflection on the themes of redemption and morality. This closing moment lingers, inviting the audience to consider their interpretations of the story.
Explore all characters from Devil (2010). Get detailed profiles with their roles, arcs, and key relationships explained.
Detective Bowden (Chris Messina)
Detective Bowden is a deeply troubled yet determined investigator struggling with the ghosts of his past, particularly the loss of his family. His journey is marked by an inner battle against alcoholism and a quest for closure as he uncovers truths surrounding the mysterious events in the elevator.
Ben Larson (Bokeem Woodbine)
Ben Larson is a complex character, a temp security guard grappling with a violent history. His layered personality reveals both vulnerability and potential for danger, as he faces both external threats and his own dark tendencies during the chaotic events in the elevator.
Learn where and when Devil (2010) takes place. Explore the film’s settings, era, and how they shape the narrative.
Time period
The events of the film appear to occur in contemporary times, reflecting modern societal issues such as personal demons, urban crime, and the struggles of individuals trying to overcome their pasts. This era emphasizes the psychological turmoil experienced by characters engulfed in a web of guilt and redemption.
Location
Philadelphia
Philadelphia serves as a central backdrop for the unfolding mystery, known for its rich history and iconic architecture. This bustling city, with its skyscrapers and urban landscape, becomes both a setting for tragedy and a stage for dark revelations, particularly highlighting the stark contrast between life and death.
Discover the main themes in Devil (2010). Analyze the deeper meanings, emotional layers, and social commentary behind the film.
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Good vs Evil
The theme of good versus evil permeates the narrative, illustrated through the characters' struggles with their past actions and moral dilemmas. As the Devil manipulates the situation, the choices made by the protagonists reveal deeper questions about guilt, redemption, and the inherent struggle of mankind against darker forces.
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Redemption
Redemption is a pivotal theme where characters confront their wrongdoings and seek forgiveness. The climax reveals how recognizing one’s faults can disrupt malevolent intentions, portraying the powerful notion that acknowledgment of guilt can lead to liberation, even in moments of despair.
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