Directed by
Antonio Campos
Made by
Netflix
Discover the intricate plot of The Devil All the Time (2020). From unexpected twists to emotional highs and lows, this detailed summary breaks down every moment to give you a deeper understanding of the film’s story.
During World War II, Marine Willard Russell discovers Gunnery Sergeant Miller Jones brutally skinned and crucified by the Japanese. In a merciful act, Willard ends Jones’ suffering with a gunshot to the head. After the war, en route to his hometown of Coal Creek, West Virginia, Willard stops in Meade, Ohio, where he meets Charlotte, a diner waitress. They marry and settle in Knockemstiff, Ohio, where they welcome a son named Arvin.
Fast forward to 1950, Helen Hatton ties the knot with the eccentric yet captivating preacher Roy Laferty, who showcases his faith by pouring venomous spiders over his head during a sermon. Helen gives birth to Lenora, and soon after, Roy’s reality begins to unravel due to a severe allergic reaction to a spider bite. In a delusional belief that he can bring the dead back to life, Roy tragically stabs Helen. When he realizes that she does not revive, he flees, desperate to see his daughter.
Roy’s escape leads him to a fatal encounter with the serial-killing couple, Carl Henderson and Sandy. Their twisted modus operandi involves picking up male hitchhikers, seducing them, and then murdering them. When Roy declines to engage with Sandy, Carl has no hesitation in taking his life.
In 1957, as Charlotte battles cancer, Willard engages in fervent prayers, convinced that his devotion can sway God to heal her. In a desperate spiritual sacrifice, he kneels before a cross he erected in the woods and offers the family’s dog. Despite his pleas, Charlotte ultimately succumbs to her illness, leading Willard to take his own life out of grief. Orphaned, Arvin is sent to live with his grandmother Emma and soon encounters Lenora, now his stepsister.
Seizing the 1965 scene, Arvin receives his father’s Luger pistol as a birthday gift. The local church welcomes a new preacher, Reverend Preston Teagarden, whose extreme behavior raises concerns. After witnessing Lenora’s torment by bullies at school, Arvin retaliates violently. Meanwhile, Teagarden exploits Lenora’s vulnerability, leading to a harrowing encounter that results in her pregnancy. Unable to cope with the shame, Lenora contemplates suicide and tragically dies in the process.
Heartbroken, Arvin learns of Lenora’s pregnancy and immediately suspects Teagarden’s involvement. He resolves to confront him and ultimately kills him with the Luger. In a turn of fate, Arvin finds himself hitchhiking again, only to be picked up by Carl and Sandy. Defending himself against Carl’s lethal intentions, Arvin kills both Carl and Sandy. Inside the glove compartment, he discovers a stash of photographs taken during their monstrous rituals.
With the local sheriff, Lee Bodecker, now aware of Sandy’s murder, he seeks to dispose of the evidence. However, the tension escalates when Arvin returns to his childhood home. Their paths cross in the woods where the tragic events unravel, leading to a deadly exchange between Arvin and Lee. As Lee lies wounded, Arvin leaves behind incriminating evidence before catching a ride with a hippie in a VW van.
The story culminates with Arvin reflecting on his future, wondering whether he will become a devoted husband or a soldier in the Vietnam War, as the film concludes with a poignant sense of uncertainty and possibilities.
Track the key events of The Devil All the Time (2020) with a comprehensive timeline. Perfect for understanding the sequence of major plot points, this feature offers clarity on how the story unfolds.
The Brutal Discovery
During World War II, Marine Willard Russell discovers the gruesome fate of Gunnery Sergeant Miller Jones, who has been brutally skinned and crucified by Japanese forces. In a merciful act, Willard puts an end to Jones' suffering with a gunshot to the head, marking a haunting moment that will continue to affect him in the years to come.
Return to Coal Creek
After the war, Willard returns to his hometown, Coal Creek, West Virginia. On his way, he stops in Meade, Ohio where he meets Charlotte, a waitress at a local diner, leading to an unexpected yet transformative relationship.
Marriage and Family
Willard and Charlotte marry and settle in Knockemstiff, Ohio, where they welcome their first child, a son named Arvin. This seemingly idyllic life carries the weight of Willard's past traumas, setting the stage for future turmoil.
Helen Meets Roy
In 1950, Helen Hatton marries the eccentric preacher Roy Laferty, who displays his devoutness in bizarre ways, including pouring venomous spiders over himself during sermons. As they start their life together, they welcome a daughter named Lenora, unknowingly paving the way for tragedy.
Roy's Downward Spiral
Roy's life takes a dark turn following a severe allergic reaction to a spider bite. In a delusional attempt to resurrect Helen after he fatally stabs her, Roy is shattered when his efforts prove futile and he flees to avoid the consequences of his actions.
Fatal Encounter
On the run, Roy tragically crosses paths with Carl Henderson and Sandy, a sinister couple known for luring and murdering male hitchhikers. After refusing to engage with Sandy, Roy is slain by Carl, adding another layer of tragedy to the unfolding narrative.
Willard's Desperate Pleas
By 1957, Willard is engulfed in grief as he prays fervently for Charlotte's healing from cancer. In a desperate act of faith, he sacrifices their family dog at a makeshift cross in the woods, yet his pleas go unanswered, resulting in Charlotte's death.
Arvin's New Life
After the loss of his parents, Arvin is sent to live with his grandmother Emma. In this new environment, he meets Lenora, who becomes not just his sister but also a symbol of the complicated legacies left by their parents.
Betrayal and Tragedy
In 1965, Arvin receives his father's Luger pistol as a birthday gift amidst a backdrop of turmoil. Lenora faces cruel bullying at school, and in a vulnerable moment, she falls prey to Reverend Teagarden's manipulations, resulting in her pregnancy and eventual suicide due to overwhelming shame.
Confrontation with Teagarden
Upon learning about Lenora's condition, Arvin is driven by anger to confront Reverend Teagarden, whom he holds accountable for her suffering. In a moment of vengeance, he kills the preacher using the Luger, unleashing a chain of violence that marks his transition into a darker path.
Final Showdown
As Arvin seeks refuge from the aftermath of his actions, he finds himself hitchhiking once again. However, fate intertwines his path with Carl and Sandy, whose sinister nature compels Arvin to defend himself, resulting in a deadly confrontation where he kills both of them.
Discovering the Evidence
In the aftermath of the confrontation, Arvin discovers a stash of photographs in Carl and Sandy's glove compartment, revealing the horrifying rituals and murders they committed. This revelation adds weight to the grim legacy he is inadvertently a part of.
Sheriff's Pursuit
With the local sheriff, Lee Bodecker, now aware of the murders, he seeks to dispose of evidence linked to Sandy's demise. When Arvin returns to his hometown, a tense encounter unfolds in the woods, culminating in a deadly clash, leaving Arvin confronted with the consequences of his actions.
The Uncertain Future
As the film draws to a close, Arvin reflects on his tumultuous journey and grapples with his identity. Torn between becoming a devoted husband or being drawn into the military during the Vietnam War, he contemplates the weight of the past and the unpredictability of his future.
Meet the characters that bring The Devil All the Time (2020) to life. Dive into detailed profiles of the cast and their roles, exploring their motivations, relationships, and arcs within the story.
Willard Russell
Willard is a war veteran whose experiences in World War II have deeply scarred him. Struggling with the ghosts of his past and overwhelming grief after losing loved ones, his character reveals the complexities of devotion and despair.
Arvin Russell
Arvin grows up in a cycle of violence and trauma, facing immense challenges as he navigates his tumultuous family history. Despite his hardships, he strives to protect those he loves, showcasing a blend of resilience and vulnerability.
Charlotte
Charlotte is a loving mother battling terminal cancer, whose relationship with Willard is strained by his desperate attempts to save her. Her decline not only affects Willard but also has a lasting impact on young Arvin.
Reverend Preston Teagarden
Teagarden represents the darker side of religion, using his position to exploit and manipulate vulnerable individuals. His perverse actions contribute significantly to the tragic events that unfold, showcasing a disturbing misuse of faith.
Lenora
Lenora, caught in a web of family trauma and violence, embodies innocence and vulnerability. Her tragic story serves as a catalyst for Arvin's transformation and actions throughout the film, highlighting the consequences of neglect and exploitation.
Carl Henderson
Carl is a remorseless serial killer whose twisted sense of thrill drives him to commit heinous acts. His relationship with Sandy further complicates his character, showcasing the depth of depravity within their partnership.
Sandy
Sandy plays a significant role in Carl's dark exploits, assisting him in luring and murdering their victims. Her character illustrates the blend of seduction and horror, as she embarks on a path of moral decay alongside Carl.
Uncover the settings of The Devil All the Time (2020), from iconic locations to the time period that shapes its world. See how these elements add depth and context to the movie’s narrative.
Time period
1940s-1960s
The film spans from World War II through the 1960s, depicting a tumultuous period in American history. This era is marked by significant social changes, post-war adjustments, and the looming shadows of personal and collective trauma, influencing the lives of the characters in profound ways.
Location
Coal Creek, West Virginia, Meade, Ohio, Knockemstiff, Ohio
The story unfolds in the rural settings of Coal Creek, West Virginia and Knockemstiff, Ohio, both of which are representative of small town America. These places are characterized by their close-knit communities, where secrets and struggles often hide beneath the surface of everyday life, impacting the lives of their inhabitants dramatically.
Explore the core themes of The Devil All the Time (2020). From its commentary on social issues to its emotional undertones, delve into the deeper messages woven into the film’s story.
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Redemption
Redemption is a central theme as characters grapple with their past traumas and seek a sense of peace. Willard's journey, along with Arvin's confrontations, highlight the struggle between seeking forgiveness and succumbing to violence in a desperate search for justice.
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Violence
Violence permeates the narrative, illustrating its cyclical nature and the impact it has on individuals and families. The characters' lives are marked by acts of brutality, both as perpetrators and victims, creating a landscape where such violence becomes almost inevitable.
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Loss
Loss is poignantly illustrated through the deaths and separations of loved ones, affecting the characters deeply. Each character's struggle with grief shapes their actions and decisions, often leading them down dark paths as they cope with their sorrow.
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