Devil Review

Messages: Amid the gore, there are some ideas worth thinking about. One man manages to break the cycle of destruction by admitting his crimes and "realizing his true self." Later, another character practices forgiveness rather than revenge. Characters work together to solve problems, and they persevere in the face of death. There's also something of a spiritual message in the film's final minutes.

Role models: Detective Bowden seems to be the strongest character here. He tried to drink himself to death after losing his wife and son but is now a recovering alcoholic -- he's a member of AA and is back at work. On the job, he works hard to overcome the odds and to save lives. But most importantly, he learns to forgive rather than take revenge.

Violence: Whenever anyone dies in the elevator, the lights wink out, so viewers only see the results. But those results can be bloody and gory: There's a bloody corpse stabbed in the neck with a chunk of broken glass, a character hanging by the neck by a power cord, and a character's head twisted around backward. Viewers also see "imaginary" images of bloody corpses and a devil's face. A character falls out a window, and another is electrocuted -- again viewers mainly see the results, rather than the incidents themselves.

Sex: A woman in the elevator accuses a man of grabbing her bottom.

Language: A few uses of "s--t," plus "ass," "butt," "jerk," "hell," "scumbag," "damn," and "oh my God."

Consumerism: Not an issue

Drinking, drugs and smoking: A cop is a recovering alcoholic. He explains how he tried to drink himself to death after the loss of his wife and child. In the movie, he's 90 days sober and meets with his sponsor. Another character causes a drunk-driving accident. Viewers see him reaching for a beer while driving.