In Pete Fornatale’s 50 Licks: Myths and Stories from Half a Century of the Rolling Stones, the Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards explained that the rock group’s iconic track “Sympathy for the Devil” is actually about looking the horned one in the eye and facing him. Yuval Adler’s psychological thriller of the same name widens the lens of the concept, forcing people to face evil and their own demons. Starring Nicolas Cage and Joel Kinnaman, this is a tense picture that slowly peels back the layers of the story across 90 minutes.
The story opens with a man (Kinnaman) rushing to the hospital where his wife is about to give birth to their child. As he prepares to park the car in the parking lot, a mysterious stranger (Cage) gets into the backseat and pulls a gun on him, telling him to carry on driving. Over the course of the evening, the stranger’s motives become clearer, but does he have the right person here?
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There’s an uneasiness in Sympathy for the Devil from the first scene. It isn’t like Michael Mann’s Collateral when Tom Cruise’s Vincent climbs into Max Durocher’s (Jamie Foxx) vehicle: There are rules in place in Collateral, while it is far more chaotic here. Cage’s character is highly unpredictable and what he says may or may not be true. The viewer genuinely worries for the driver, since all signs point to him not making it out of this situation alive. The only question is, when will the inevitable happen?
Luke Paradise’s script keeps the mystery in check until the final act. While the truth isn’t groundbreaking or an M. Night Shyamalan-esque twist, the story forces the viewer to question their own conclusions at several key points. The director adds to this mystique by framing the film in a claustrophobic manner, leaving the things left unsaid lingering between the characters.
That doesn’t take away from the fact the movie is shot beautifully. Cinematographer Steven Holleran focuses on the bright lights and fervour of Las Vegas in the opening shots, but toys with the mood when the characters’ journeys intersect. Even when they are seated in the diner, the dramatic shift of colours paints a picture of apprehension. There’s never a singular moment when the viewer can breathe easily here.
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Essentially, Sympathy for the Devil is about two people who are on a date with destiny. Everyone else is a spectator and should pray this doesn’t go sideways. Cage is at the peak of his manic powers here, dripping with buckets of energy and splashes of sheer menace; however, it’s clear there’s something more to him than meets the eye. Similarly, Kinnaman delivers a revelatory performance as his character runs the gamut of emotions throughout the film. More importantly, these actors complement and bring out the best in each other. Without going into spoilers, the movie works because they give and allow each other the space to explore these complex characters.
“What’s puzzlin’ you is the nature of my game.” Mick Jagger’s words couldn’t describe Sympathy for the Devil better here. It’s clear evil pollutes the air, but the reason for this game remains under wraps for as long as possible. Prepare to have frayed nerves and to question everything afterward.
