Devils in Film

The Devil has many guises, just as those sharing a lift with her in the DVD and Blu-ray release of The Devil (out on release) come to realise. Over the years Lucifer has appeared on film in many forms – man, woman and cartoon, and with many different personality traits – from downright evil to almost friendly. Here we take a look at some of the most memorable.

Rosalinda Celentano – The Passion of the Christ

Mel Gibson’s The Passion of the Christ largely covers the final twelve hours of Jesus’ life. The film opens with Celentano’s Satan tempting Jesus as he prays. Later, as Jesus’s spirit ascends to heaven Satan is shown screaming in defeat.

Harvey Stephens – The Omen

Robert Thorn (Gregory Peck) is coerced into substituting his dead child for an orphan whose mother died at the same moment. However, after the family is haunted by several mysterious and deadly events it becomes clear that Damien is no ordinary child.

Al Pacino – The Devil’s Advocate

In a tribute to the author of Paradise Lost, John Milton, Pacino’s Satan sets the stage for lawyer Kevin (Keanu Reeves) to lose himself in a downward spiral of immoral practice and corruption. After proposing that Kevin conceive the Antichrist, Satan’s plans are thwarted when Kevin wishes for free will, and then commits suicide.

Peter Stormare – Constantine

John Constantine (Keanu Reeves), with his ability to discern half-angels and half-demons, seeks a spot in Heaven by sending demons to Hell. But as he kills himself in order to save his love Angela, Lucifer (Stromare) arrives to personally collect his soul…

Tim Curry – Legend

Curry plays a demon who seeks to create eternal night by destroying the last of the unicorns. He is opposed by a forest boy named Jack (Tom Cruise) and his eleven allies in this magical fantasy.

Viggo Mortensen – The Prophecy

The angel Gabriel, annoyed with God for letting humans into heaven, comes to Earth to collect the soul of an evil human in an effort to defeat the ‘good angels’ who remain in God’s favour. Mortensen’s Lucifer has his own agenda for stopping Gabriel in his mission.

Trey Parker – South Park

Far from the typical depiction of Satan, the Dark Prince in Trey Parker’s South Park: Bigger, Longer and Uncut is Sadam Hussein’s lover.

Jenny O’Hara – Devil

Following a series of murders, a group of people trapped in a lift realise that the Devil is amongst them. After claiming her victims one by one, O’Hara reveals herself as the Devil in human form.

Peter Cook – Bedazzled

Cook plays the Devil who approaches loner Stanley as he attempts to commit suicide. In exchange for his soul, Satan offers him seven wishes, with beautiful waitress Margaret at the top of the wish list.

Elizabeth Hurley – Bedazzled

In this 2000 remake, Hurley as a rather glamorous Devil grants Elliot (Brendan Fraser) his seven wishes. Taking lead from the 1967 original, Elliot’s target is Alison, the girl of his dreams, for whom he gladly sells his soul.

Harvey Keitel – Little Nicky

Keitel’s Satan is the ‘not-so-bad’ ruler of the underworld. He keeps an eye out for his son, Nicky (Adam Sandler) who tries to prevent his evil brothers from taking over his father’s kingdom.