RoyalFlash
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Is there more than appears to The Passenger (Nicolas Cage) who kidnaps The Driver (Joel Kinnaman) who happens to be on his way to the hospital where his wife is having a baby? Is it a case of mistaken identity as Cage keeps alluding to an incident that Kinnaman insists he has no knowledge of, or something more fantastical as suggested by the title of the film. Could be either as Cage with red hair and garments suggest the latter, though The Passenger could just be an eccentric dresser.
Whichever this film sees Cage at some of his most unhinged as they set out on a road trip that takes them to a diner and a massacre thanks to a Five Easy Pieces lite scene. Then later as things start to get clearer between the two there’s another shoot out, and a solid conclusion.
Its at times a brutal film though the main interest throughout are the driving sequences with Cage and Kinnaman letting each other in ever so slightly. There are some terrific exchanges that demonstrate the breadth of the actors.
There’s a lot here that reminds of a previous FrightFest film from 2021 NightDrive, which has more of a sci-fi bias but also hinges on a bantering pair in a car for long periods at night.
Writer Luke Paradise is generous with his script and both Cage and Kinnaman have a lot to work with, if at times it lapses into purple prose. In turn director Yuval Adler has a deft grip of the dynamics between the actors as well as steady hand on the action sequences and the violence. The film also looks terrific with the Las Vegas strip as a backdrop later morphing into the dark, menacing US highways.
However its likely that Cage will steal the show and in some cinemas it will be unwatchable with audiences ready to break in hysterics at Cage lifting an eyebrow.
Sympathy for the Devil had its European Premiere London FrightFest 2023 and is now available on digital platforms.
Whichever this film sees Cage at some of his most unhinged as they set out on a road trip that takes them to a diner and a massacre thanks to a Five Easy Pieces lite scene. Then later as things start to get clearer between the two there’s another shoot out, and a solid conclusion.
Its at times a brutal film though the main interest throughout are the driving sequences with Cage and Kinnaman letting each other in ever so slightly. There are some terrific exchanges that demonstrate the breadth of the actors.
There’s a lot here that reminds of a previous FrightFest film from 2021 NightDrive, which has more of a sci-fi bias but also hinges on a bantering pair in a car for long periods at night.
Writer Luke Paradise is generous with his script and both Cage and Kinnaman have a lot to work with, if at times it lapses into purple prose. In turn director Yuval Adler has a deft grip of the dynamics between the actors as well as steady hand on the action sequences and the violence. The film also looks terrific with the Las Vegas strip as a backdrop later morphing into the dark, menacing US highways.
However its likely that Cage will steal the show and in some cinemas it will be unwatchable with audiences ready to break in hysterics at Cage lifting an eyebrow.
Sympathy for the Devil had its European Premiere London FrightFest 2023 and is now available on digital platforms.