Devil's Peak (2023) User Reviews

A predictable crime drama with solid performances.

[FilmFanatic2023 · 6/10 · 28 February 2023]

Devil's Peak is a crime drama about a young man who faces a dilemma between staying loyal to his meth-dealing father or escaping with his girlfriend. The film is based on a novel by David Joy and stars Billy Bob Thornton, Robin Wright, Jackie Earle Haley, Katelyn Nacon, and Finn Wolfhard. The film depicts the harsh realities of life in the Appalachian Mountains, where poverty, violence, and addiction are rampant. The film is directed by Ben Young, who previously made the acclaimed horror films Hounds of Love and Extinction.

I thought this film was decent but not remarkable. I liked the performances of the actors, especially Thornton and Wright, who gave some depth to their flawed characters. I also liked the cinematography and the soundtrack, which captured the mood and atmosphere of the setting. However, I felt that the film was too predictable and clichéd. The plot was nothing new or original, and the characters were mostly stereotypes. The film lacked any real suspense or emotion. The film tried to be gritty and realistic but ended up being dull and forgettable.

Well acted with a pretty good script

[zack_gideon · 6/10 · 2 August 2023]

The first 30 minutes I wasn't sold at all on this. Seemed like cliche, overdone premise with the same stuff I've seen a hundred times (which it kind of is). That being said, if you can get past that the rest is a pretty darn good indie film.

As the plot goes along the tension ramps up and you get a nice set up for the finale. I was definitely engaged and wanted to see Billy Bob's son escape the clutches of this meth littered backwoods town.

The acting really carries the script thru til the end, with Billy Bob and Hopper Penn leading the charge. It's definitely not perfect, it's low budget production quality and if you can get past those things it's an entertaining little movie. 6.4/10.

Acts 1 and 2 are slow-moving but hang in there. Act 3 will pick up and pay off.

[trinaboice · 6/10 · 27 October 2023]

IN A NUTSHELL: Set in the Appalachian Mountains of North Carolina, the movie tells a story about a family that is dominated by a crime lord who uses his fists to control both them and his business. When his son meets the girl of his dreams, desperately wanting to escape the life he is expected to lead and free himself from the clutches of his father, he is forced to go head-to-head with the terrifying man who will stop at nothing to ensure loyalty from all of those around him.

The crime thriller is directed by Ben Young. It was written by Robert Knott, based on the novel Where All Light Tends to Go by David Joy.

TIPS FOR PARENTS: This movie is not appropriate for children.

We see murder and attempted murder.

Profanity, including F-bombs and other crude language Suggestive content Lots of alcohol Talk of drug use Blood splatters Suicide

THINGS I LIKED: The fantastic cast includes Billy Bob Thornton, Robin Wright, Brian d'Arcy James, Jackie Earle Haley, and Hopper Penn, the son of Oscar winner Sean Penn and Golden Globe winner Robin Wright. I didn't even recognize Billy Bob Thornton the first time he appeared on screen! Robin Wright was almost unrecognizable too. They both truly disappeared into their characters. Everyone gave excellent performances.

It must have been a great experience for Robin Wright to perform with her son in a movie. He received a Masterclass from her and Billy Bob Thornton.

The last hour is pretty intense and suspenseful.

The story is, at once, both hopeful and sad.

THINGS I DIDN'T LIKE: Acts 1 and 2 are slow-moving but hang in there. Act 3 will pick up and pay off.

It's never any fun to spend time in the gutter with people in the drug business like these characters.

Based on the title, I thought there would be more physical mountains and peaks to climb in the movie. Instead, they are emotional mountains and peaks.

I wish we could have seen more of the relationship between Hopper Penn and Katelyn Nacon.

is the second half worth another 3 stars? I doubt it.

[Steve9920 · 3/10 · 3 August 2023]

I love Billy Bob Thornton movies, but why he took on this script is a puzzle? Maybe as a favour to Sean Penn, whose son, Hopper Penn plays his son in this. He has his daddies name and somewhat of his hangdog looks, but acting talent and screen presence ? Nooo, at least, not yet. But then again, with the tired dialogue that the cast has been given, there are no outstanding performances here. Entirely populated with cut out characters , the psycho drug boss, incompetent minions, downtrodden wife, trailer trash mistress, corrupt police. And Its difficult to even tolerate, never mind to like, the young lovebirds, who we are supposed to be rooting for. Hence after 50 odd minutes of watching, I decided, I don't care what happens in the final half, and care less about who it happens to.

No plot spoilers, because, frankly, its a cookie cutter plot too. Its been done a hundred times before, probably 90 odd of them better.

And a mention of the video/audio quality. The video is overblown, daylight glare gives faces a cookie dough complexion, its impossible to get decent contrast, night scenes are bearable. This is also apparent in the the trailer as well, so its not a case of a bad copy. The dialogue audio is likewise overblown. In every scene, inside, outside, in a car.. they all sound the same, the rendition of the USA national anthem is..ermm..striking! This is magnified by the almost complete lack of ambient or atmospheric sounds, night scenes with barely a chirping cricket or rustling tree, street scenes with no traffic noise, restaurant scene with hardly a mumble from the other dozen or so patrons. It all sounds very claustrophobic.

Now that I have had a break, and some might say, a bit of a rant? I will attempt the next 50 minutes. If it improves, I will return and edit, but I doubt it.

A slow burning family fallout

[LilyWai · 7/10 · 3 February 2024]

Worth the watch, but don't expect big budget action here. This is a small movie about a small town & a man who believes he can control the place & everyone in it. Of course this never ends well, especially when the next generation falls for each other because then plans are made & trouble ensues. While the plot is somewhat prosaic the work of the central actors carries the film & thank goodness or this would have fallen a bit flat. Billy Bob Thornton is always impactful in whatever role he's in & he does do the menacing roles particularly well and Robin Wright has the ability to make her mark with a small role here but it's her son, Hopper Penn who does the heavy lifting here & manages to hold the film together on his own pretty well.

He has the right kind of melancholic face for this role, you know the 'poor boy down on his luck, nothin' going right' kinda face, well that works here. Not sure I could buy him in a tough, ruthless role but he brings enough emotion & tension to his performance to make this an engaging watch. Not memorable but engaging nonetheless.

Sean Penn and Robin Wright's son

[SnoopyStyle · 5/10 · 15 August 2023]

Jacob McNeely (Hopper Penn) works for his meth-King father Charlie (Billy Bob Thornton) who rules his section of the Appalachian Mountains in North Carolina. Jacob is barely being paid while his father hordes all the cash in his safe. His mother Virgie (Robin Wright) returns after getting clean. Rogers (Jackie Earle Haley) is the corrupt sheriff. Jacob is obsessed with Maggie (Katelyn Nacon) and needs money to help her family.

The premise is basic and feels derivative. I don't mind it, but I do question Ben Young's directions. It feels stale. A lot of this rests on the shoulders of relative unknown Hopper Penn, son of Sean Penn and Robin Wright. Of course, he's trying to act. I'm not sure that he's leading man material especially after this movie. I don't know if it's deliberate, but he's giving an almost blank performance. In a way, it fits his character. Jacob is a weak loser. That's the only reason why he would suffer under his father for so long. I don't know if Hopper is ever going to be more than a minor actor. Maybe he can do more with a different role.

Ignore the low rating. This one is worth the watch, especially if you're a Billy Bob fan.

[randymcbeast · 8/10 · 6 August 2023]

Don't trust the low rating. Billy Bob gives another captivating performance and the rest of the cast holds up as well. Hopper Penn especially did a nice job.

This is not a blockbuster though. It's a small cast in a small town setting but it still works. It's probably a 7 rating but I gave it an 8 to offset the negative ratings trying to take it down.

I watched this on a Saturday afternoon and just took my time with it. It does move slow but just stick with it and enjoy the performances. The scenes are well done and the actors really mesh. Hopefully, more Billy Bob fans will give it a watch and back up this review. It's a good film.

A slow burn with stellar performances

[Louise_Bertoncini · 9/10 · 14 November 2023]

Devil's Peak is based on the 2015 book Where All Light Tends To Go by David Joy. It explores a complex father/son relationship set against a backdrop of crime and corruption in small town America. Thornton and Wright are at the very top of their game, inhabiting their characters in a way that is at times haunting and heartbreaking. Thornton is mostly terrifying as Charlie McNeely, the drug king pin of the Appalachian mountains, but has moments of levity and humour that give his character an interesting depth. This slow burn of a film brilliantly wraps up with some very unexpected twists, turns and changing allegiances that leave the audience on the edge of their seat. The film takes you on a journey and is a very satisfying watch.

Slow burn to inferno

[hnzvpch · 9/10 · 18 February 2023]

The slowish, meditative first half of this film reflects the sweaty langour and apparent hopelessness of Jacob's (Hopper Penn) situation as son of a king-pin and savage drug dealer in a small Appalachian town. Will he be able to escape the trench that his father Billy-Bob Thornton) has dug for him and break free? That question and more is answered by the unexpected adrenaline fueled climax of the last act, and a particularly unexpected twist.

Filmed on location, the cinematography is evocative and atmospheric. The missed opportunity to use more Appalachian music means a dropped star as far as this viewer is concerned. I expect budget restraint had a lot to do with this.

Credit to the cast with special mention to Billy Bob Thornton who can always be counted upon for perfect evil, and to Hopper Penn for his subtle portrait of a sensitive character who has grown up with nothing but a continuous cycle of hurt and betrayal. His performance stays with you. Highly recommended.

Billy Bob Thornton doesn't disappoint!

[claudiac-56105 · 9/10 · 20 February 2023]

Billy Bob Thorton, Robin Wright, and Jacob Penn bring some acting chops to this suspenseful story of a son trying to escape his fate and choose a different path. It had me on the edge of my sit. The film gives a sense of the decimation that small town America has experienced from economic hopelessness and drug addiction. Thorton gives a hard as nails performance, Wright shows us a vulnerable and nuanced, albeit drug addled mother, and Penn conveys the pain and conflict he is faced with.

This is a film that provides great performances, plot twists and suspense, a sense of place with cinematography and a script that reflects a sense of place.

Whoever rated this at 5.4 is clueless!

[ejcharles-57455 · 9/10 · 31 July 2023]

The juice is definitely worth the squeeze on this one! Anyone who doesn't get it just doesn't get it. It may have started out a little slow at first, but it really did build to the necessary crescendo. It was quite the thriller in the final analysis. It does cover a lot of material related to society in modern times with regards to economics and drug addiction! And the power of true love as well! Anyone who likes thrillers in Billy Bob Thornton and true life drama will appreciate this movie. I thought it was very well done and in the final analysis I was glad I watched it it was emotionally cathartic!

Lordy wordy

[teresatagliaferri · 8/10 · 3 February 2024]

I didn't know what to expect, but I found the film exceptionally well made and beautifully performed. It's a slow burn, but kept me engaged the entire time. I felt a Billy Bob Thornton, Robin Wright and Hopper Penn truly inhabited their characters and gave believable and moving performances.

I think this movie has been unjustly judged because perhaps politically it doesn't speak to the current trends, but that shouldn't discount the merit of the story.

While slow in the beginning, by the time it ended I truly felt the story had gone together to leave me satisfied. While not a perfect film I enjoyed it, loved the mood and I'm not sure why this movie has received the hate it has.

A must see West Australian/Hollywood film

[jacquiemoran · 10/10 · 7 March 2024]

I loved this film from West Australian director Ben Young, my hometown, and he deserves the (WA) Screen Awards Outstanding Achievement in directing he received, as well as support, delivering a sound film on low budget, with A-List Hollywood actors who fully embraced and carry the (unglamorous) film. Hopper Penn, Sean Penn and Robin Wright's son is particularly Oscar worthy, and I hope his performance is seen. His mother plays his mother in the film too, and she is as always compelling. She asked Billy Bob Thornton to play Penn's character's father, the figure the story, and novel it's based on relies on, and he's perfect. They're a gift to the film. The pace is consistently driving and menacing, matching storyline. The low/mid ratings may pertain to style but they're undeserved, and hopefully we'll see varied interpretation from Ben as he continues his craft. I've given a whole score to lift this.