Sympathy for the Devil (2024)

Sympathy for the Devil (2024)

In the middle of the night in Las Vegas, after being forced at gunpoint to drive a mysterious passenger, a man finds himself caught up in a diabolical game of cat and mouse with high stakes, where it becomes clear that not everything is as it seems. A night from hell is on the cards!

Naturally, this film brings to mind the excellent Collateral (2004). At least the beginning does. And if you mention Collateral, you might as well mention Night Teeth (2021), a sort of hostage film set in a car, but featuring vampires. We could also mention Ride (2018). All these films show people who pick up one or more psychopaths in their cars and find themselves at their mercy.

It’s worth noting that we’ve always been taught not to get into a car with strangers, yet we’ve still gone and created Uber!!!

What other films are set in cars? In any case, there are two that take place entirely in a car: Daddio (2023) and Locke (2013). They aren’t all brilliant, but they’re worth watching for those who just want to brush up on their film knowledge.

Sympathy for the Devil is a really tough film for me to rate. Because it’s not exactly an exceptional film either… but, on the other hand, Nicolas Cage displays everything we love about him. Here we have THE Nicolas Cage that all his fans want to see! And it’s true that he’s so exceptional and unique that it’s hard not to be charmed by him.

It’s impossible for me to cover this actor’s entire filmography. However, I can tell you, once again, all the films starring him that are worth watching: Snake Eyes (1998), 8MM (1999), The Family Man (2000), Face/Off (1997), Vampire’s Kiss (1988), Peggy Sue Got Married (1986), Pig (2021) and, why not, Primal (2019) too.

Nicolas Cage is one of the most fascinating actors of his generation. With a staggering filmography of over a hundred films in 40 years, Coppola’s nephew has had an extraordinary career, ranging from the Coen brothers and Spike Jonze to Z-grade films intended to pay his exorbitant bills, via John Woo and Michael Bay.

Known for his legendary meltdowns and his penchant for hammy acting, he has in recent years entered a new phase in his career, aware of his own off-the-wall aura. And having just played none other than Count Dracula in the dark and brooding Renfield (2023), he returns in this rather successful film.

Structured as a game of cat and mouse between two men, The Driver and The Passenger, it begins with the arrival of a seemingly innocent driver at the maternity ward where his wife is in labour, when a man (played by Cage) gets into the car, holds him at gunpoint and orders him to drive off. And so begins a 1 hour 15 minute journey, unfolding almost in real time, which sees them travel from motorways to dinner, against the backdrop of Las Vegas and its surreal night-time vistas.

Nicolas Cage is, thankfully, at his best, whilst the role of the driver is played by Swedish actor Joel Kinnaman, who first came to prominence in the Easy Money series. He has also appeared in The Suicide Squad 1 and 2 (2016 & 2021), RoboCop (2014), Run All Night (2015), and The Silent Hour (2024).

Whilst Cage delivers pure, unadulterated Cage, Kinnaman is cast against type and pulls it off convincingly. The dark and at times apocalyptic atmosphere is occasionally over-the-top. On the whole, nothing brilliant, but quite enjoyable.

Ever since Nicolas has got back into shape, his direct-to-video films have changed too. A thoroughly turbulent night awaits both the characters and the audience. The suspenseful tension and a completely unhinged, red-haired Nicolas Cage make this a devilishly effective film (no pun intended). There’s also some skilful use of colour, with reddish imagery set against blue contrasts, like police sirens glimpsed in the distance. So we have a carefully crafted production with plenty of twists and turns – a film which, in my view, isn’t just a run-of-the-mill DTV release, but a genuine arthouse film.

Is it fair to say that the film’s only appeal is Nicolas Cage?

In any case, his mere presence is enough to make the film somewhat worthwhile. Because in one or two scenes, he can turn a situation on its head and manage to capture our attention, at least a little. The script, however, isn’t particularly exciting; there’s nothing that would make us linger over it at first glance. But the director has the good sense to let Cage run wild. And he dominates the film, sometimes verging on caricature, sometimes on genius.

We follow two men: one is a dangerous man, the other a quiet family man. Well, it’s actually a bit more complicated than that, but only just! Watching this film, I found myself wondering what Nicolas Cage might get up to in Tarantino’s world, and whether we’ll ever be treated to such a collaboration. Anyway!

Only worth watching (or mainly worth watching) if you’re a fan of this truly great actor, who is once again absolutely brilliant in this completely bonkers role that he loves so much!

PS: Unfortunately, you don’t get to hear the legendary Rolling Stones song of the same name.