The portrayal of the Devil in film can take many forms, as seen in two notable movies starring Keanu Reeves: the supernatural thriller Constantine and the psychological horror The Devil’s Advocate. While Peter Stormare’s devil role in Constantine is striking with its comic book-style flair, Al Pacino’s depiction in The Devil’s Advocate delivers a more grounded and menacing portrayal that ultimately leaves a deeper impact on viewers. These differences highlight contrasting approaches to representing evil on screen.
Al Pacino’s Portrayal Emphasizes Subtle Realism
In The Devil’s Advocate, Al Pacino plays John Milton, a charismatic and manipulative figure whose presence infiltrates the story from the beginning. Unlike Stormare’s immediate and flamboyant appearance as Lucifer in Constantine, Pacino’s devil works behind the scenes, gradually unraveling Kevin Lomax’s life. This slow burn adds to the unsettling effect of his character, who, while malevolent, maintains a believable and human guise as the head of a powerful law firm.
Stormare’s Lucifer, contrastingly, bursts onto the scene with an exaggerated, almost theatrical demeanor, dripping in black ooze and employing a sarcastic tone during his brief but chaotic screen time. His performance fits perfectly within the comic book atmosphere of Constantine, where fantasy rules and larger-than-life moments dominate. However, it is Pacino’s more realistic, strategic devil who seems more chilling because he manipulates real-world systems, such as the legal profession and family dynamics, to achieve his ends.
Peter Stormare’s Devil Displays Unexpected Acts of Mercy
In Constantine, Peter Stormare’s devil character moves with urgency, as he has only a limited window to claim John Constantine’s soul. Despite being the embodiment of evil, Stormare’s Lucifer paradoxically engages in moments of unexpected grace, such as sending a girl to heaven and saving another character named Angela from sacrifice, even curing John’s cancer. These actions complicate his portrayal, making him less of a pure villain and adding layers to his role within the film’s spiritual conflict.
By comparison, Pacino’s Milton is relentless and unrepentant in his pursuit of power. He tempts Kevin with seductive manipulation, from encouraging trivial changes like his wife’s hairstyle to influencing career decisions, all designed to maximize Kevin’s moral downfall and ensure his control. There is no empathy in Milton’s actions, only calculated moves to destroy Kevin’s existing life and replace it with one that serves his apocalyptic ambitions, including the birth of the antichrist.
The Impact of Performance and Narrative Context
Both Stormare and Pacino bring unique energy to their respective devil roles, shaped by the narratives they inhabit. Stormare’s brief but memorable appearance is amplified by the fantastical, high-stakes world of Constantine, where angels, demons, and exorcisms provide a vivid supernatural backdrop. This setting allows his character to captivate audiences within a confined timeframe through style and wit.
In contrast, Pacino’s role dominates The Devil’s Advocate and benefits from a storyline rooted in more grounded horror — legal battles, seduction, and family crisis. His devil progressively reveals his true nature, showing a mastery of psychological manipulation. This slow, methodical approach creates an atmosphere of suspense and dread that lingers well beyond the film’s climax, leaving a lasting impression on viewers.
The difference in emotional tone between the two depictions also plays a key role. Pacino’s Milton is imbued with a cold, calculating menace that evokes intense unease, while Stormare’s Lucifer, though threatening, carries a mischievous energy that injects chaos but also fleeting moments of unexpected kindness. This contrast further underpins why Pacino’s portrayal is often considered more profound and sinister.
Why Pacino’s Devil Stands Out Over Stormare’s
Ultimately, the power of Al Pacino’s devil stems from his ability to fuse evil with a convincing human facade, making his character both terrifying and believable. His mastery in pacing, dialogue delivery, and psychological complexity transforms John Milton into a figure who is as much a corrupting force of nature as a shrewd human predator.
Peter Stormare’s devil role, while memorable and uniquely entertaining within the comic book tone of Constantine, relies more heavily on spectacle and eccentricity. This difference means his character resonates differently, often more as a vivid icon than a profound villain.
As interest grows in potential sequels and continued exploration of supernatural themes in film, these two portrayals offer distinct blueprints. Whether the focus is on the raw, charismatic human evil Pacino embodies or Stormare’s stylized and unpredictable devil, audiences continue to find fascination in how cinematic devils reflect varying shades of darkness and temptation.
