The Devil Rides Out Review

Review of The Devil Rides Out (1968) by screenqueeen: 👍 3.5/5

HOOPTOBER 9.0 6/32

Richard Matheson's screenplay of Dennis Wheatley's book doesn't carry the underlying bite of his usual style, maybe in service to the novel. I can't say since I haven't read it. What this does really well is show you most of the cards early on, but not how they're going to be played. You can expect a certain number things from a Hammer film about a satanic cult (or the occult) but the final act is where the meat is. Charles Gray plays the Crowley-type monarch with a well-tuned sense of malice across Patrick Mower's Simon, who very much finds himself stuck in the middle of things unsure of what to do but under his influence almost like a clone of different character.

Christopher Lee is the obvious standout as the Duc de Richleau, always knowledgeable on the rituals he sees throughout and ahead of the game. If he were any more humble he'd likely be a sorcerer for hire. His friend Rex arrives at an opportune time to provide security & support for those around him, bewildered by the use of magic in his presence but loyal and reliable nonetheless.

But in all seriousness it's as compelling as it can be, even if it gets a bit too preachy by the end, and I mean that literally