Devil's Mile is a Winding Road to Nowhere? A Movie Review

*full disclosure: a DVD screener of this film was provided by Phase 4 Films.

Director/writer: Joseph O'Brien.

Cast: David Hayter, Maria del Mar, Casey Hudecki and Frank Moore.

Devil's Mile is the first feature film from writer Joseph O'Brien (Fresh Meat) as director. Both, Devil's Mile and Fresh Meat (2012) blend genres, with this one going for more mystery and horror, over comedy. Devil's Mile is the second film this reviewer has seen, recently, which deals with a circular curse. Characters go in circles, with no obvious way out of a complex trap. Still, one character manages to square off with Satan, late in the picture. Earlier, O'Brien brings some Japanese horror influences to the film as seen in the antagonist's awkward movements and sounds. Pacing issues slow down the middle portions of the film, while lighting effects amplify the horror elements. Devil's Mile is a slow-burning indie production that offers a mostly entertaining time.

The story begins with three kidnappers. Toby (David Hayter), Cally (Maria del Mar) and Jacinta (Casey Hudecki) have just captured two young Asian students, for ransom. But, they take a long, wrong turn in the desert and this trio goes in circles for quite awhile. Another vehicle blocks the way and the dead begin to return from the grave. The kidnappers must deal with a deadly supernatural element and a crime boss, who is intolerant of mistakes. There seems to be no happy ending available for anyone in this title.

Have you seen this killer before?

Writer Joseph O'Brien has been influenced by Asian cinema of the past. Fans of horror will see some of Takashi Shimizu's Ju-on: The Grudge (2002) here. The villains in Devil's Mile move strangely. Joints seem out of place, much like the 2002 film. As well, both sets of villains give few clues to their malicious deeds. Instead, they go on searching for blood and murder, tirelessly. Film fans will also see some of Hideo Nakata's Ringu (1998) here, as well. Both Ringu and Devil's Mile deal with a curse, which cannot be stopped. However, the curse in Devil's Mile does not seem to expand; instead, it compresses as fewer and fewer characters are able to stand up against the murdering supernatural element. It is interesting to see Japanese films crossing-over into North American ones. Also, few countries create such creepy villains as Japan.

Both Richard Gray's Mine Games (2014) and Devil's Mile deal with circular curses. It is difficult for a plot to move forward, with the central story doomed to repeat. In Mine Games, the curse is still running late into the picture. Yet, in Devil's Mile there is a partial resolution of the supernatural element. Sometimes mortals are more powerful than gods. It is also interesting to note that both Mine Games and Devil's Mile stick to a central cursed setting. Here, characters seem stuck, but so does the story. Both films can come across as being slightly repetitious.

There was one film element this viewer enjoyed in the Devil's Mile and one that was less impressive. There are some pacing issues in Act II of the Devil's Mile. Characters seem incompetent or complacent about escape. Instead, they bicker amongst themselves, or search for connection between each other. A looming ghost does not get the story going, unfortunately. Maybe, the characters deserve their hellish setting, because of their lack of effort. On the flip side, the lighting in this piece is often an enhancement of the horror. Much of the later parts of the film are lit by headlights, flashlights or other pieces of equipment. The rest of the setting is composed of jet blacks. Thus, one never knows when the a roaming demon will strike. The lighting element offered a good contrast of light and darkness, which was appreciated by this viewer.

Devil's Mile will entertain many horror film fans. Thriller elements are limited to a few early scenes. Horror elements are predominant through the rest of the film. Influenced by Asian films of the past, O'Brien shows a good general knowledge of the genre. However, budget constraints seemed to have kept the film in a pot hole or two. Offering a late message on the vulnerability of Satan, Devil's Mile offers a creepy tone on one road trip to hell!

Overall: 6.5 out of 10.

A trailer for the film is available here:

Devil's Mile Trailer on 28DLA

More on the film's release can be found here:

Devil's Mile at Phase 4 Films


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