Devil's Knot (2013)

The savage murders of three young children sparks a controversial trial of three teenagers accused of killing the kids as part of a Satanic ritual.

Director:

Atom Egoyan

Writers:

Paul Harris Boardman (screenplay), Scott Derrickson (screenplay)

Stars:

Colin Firth, Reese Witherspoon, Alessandro Nivola

1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Reese Witherspoon	...	Pam Hobbs
Colin Firth	...	Ron Lax
Alessandro Nivola	...	Terry Hobbs
James Hamrick	...	Damien Echols
Seth Meriwether	...	Jason Baldwin
Kristopher Higgins	...	Jessie Misskelley (as Kris Higgins)
Amy Ryan	...	Margaret Lax
Robert Baker	...	Detective Bryan Ridge
Collette Wolfe	...	Glori Shettles
Rex Linn	...	Chief Inspector Gitchell
Bruce Greenwood	...	Judge Burnett
Kristoffer Polaha	...	Val Price
Matt Letscher	...	Paul Ford
Michael Gladis	...	Dan Stidham
Stephen Moyer	...	John Fogleman

Storyline

Based on the actual events of the West Memphis Three, where three young boys were savagely murdered in West Memphis, Arkansas in 1993. Spurred on by the demand from a grieving town, the local police act quickly to bring three "devil-worshipping" teenagers to trial. With their lives hanging in the balance, investigator Ron Lax is trying to find the truth between the town's need for justice and the guilt of the accused.

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Plot Keywords:

west memphis three | year 1993 | angry mob | police interrogation | police investigation | 

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Taglines:

They say the crimes were satanic. The truth may be scarier.

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Genres:

Biography | Crime | Drama | Thriller

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Did You Know?

Trivia

In the film, Reese Witherspoon's son Stevie sings the Elvis Presley song "That's All Right". Reese was featured singing this song in her first film, The Man in the Moon (1991).

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Goofs

West Memphis police cars in the movie are correct in terms of make, model and markings. But the lightbars used are red & blue. West Memphis patrol cars have always featured all-blue warning lights.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Stevie Branch: [sings] Well, that's all right, mama / That's all right for you / That's all right, mama, just any way you do.

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Connections

Features Race with the Devil (1975)

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Soundtracks

Alter of Sacrifice
Written by Jeff Hanneman (as Jeffery John Hanneman) and Kerry King
Performed by Slayer
Courtesy of American Recordings, LLC
Under license from Universal Music Enterprises

User Reviews

Subtle storytelling catching the authentic penumbra of the case

"Devil's Knot" has gotten a lukewarm reception from audiences and this is ill-deserved. The film is a perfect-pitch plainsong retelling of the case of the West Memphis Three. Atom Egoyan is a master of understated film-making, but perfectly depicts the aura, atmosphere, cultural inclinations and Bible-belt provincial biases of the participants without being garish. Marvelous performances from Reese Witherspoon, Bruce Greenwood,Colin Firth and several others are on view here. Mireille Enos's lightning-catching turn as Vicki Hutcheson, in which she brilliantly channels uneducated de classe white-trash coarseness, is worth sitting through the entire film. The esteem in which this competent film is held will grow with time.

Details

Official Sites:

Official site [Japan]

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

12 March 2014 (Philippines)

Also Known As:

Devil's Knot

Filming Locations:

Morrow, Georgia, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$15,000,000 (estimated)

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$2,033,154

Company Credits

Production Co:

Worldview Entertainment, Clear Pictures Entertainment

Technical Specs

Runtime:

114 min

Sound Mix:

Datasat Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1