Nicolas Cage is a mood. Honestly, at this point in his career, he’s basically his own genre of cinema, and the Sympathy for the Devil movie is the absolute peak of that specific, chaotic energy. You’ve probably seen the memes. Maybe you saw the clip of him dancing in a diner to an upbeat track while a man fights for his life. It looks insane. It is insane.
But here’s the thing.
Most people approaching this movie expect a standard cat-and-mouse thriller, something like Collateral but with more screaming. It’s not that. Director Yuval Adler didn't set out to make a polished, high-budget blockbuster. Instead, we got a neon-soaked, claustrophobic nightmare that takes place almost entirely inside a car or a roadside diner. It’s sweaty. It’s uncomfortable. It features Joel Kinnaman looking like he’s about to have a permanent heart attack.
The Setup: Just a Guy Going to the Hospital
The premise is deceptively simple. Joel Kinnaman plays "The Driver." He’s a regular guy, or so we think, rushing to a Las Vegas hospital because his wife is in labor. He pulls into the parking garage, and suddenly, a man in a red sequined jacket—played by Cage—gets into the backseat. He pulls a gun. He tells the Driver to just... drive.
That’s it. That’s the movie.
Except it isn't. Because the Sympathy for the Devil movie isn't interested in the logistics of a kidnapping; it’s interested in the psychological breakdown of two men who might be more alike than they care to admit. Cage’s character, known only as "The Passenger," is a whirlwind of unpredictable violence and weirdly specific anecdotes. He talks about "The Mook." He screams about tuna melts. He is the personification of a fever dream.
Why the Sympathy for the Devil Movie Divides Audiences
Critics were all over the place when this hit theaters in 2023. Some called it a masterclass in tension; others thought it was just Cage being "too much." If you hate "Nouveau Shamanic" Cage—his self-coined term for his acting style—you will likely struggle with this film.
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But if you appreciate the craft of a man who treats every line of dialogue like a grand operatic solo, it’s brilliant.
The cinematography by Steven Holleran uses the Las Vegas backdrop perfectly. We aren't seeing the glitz of the Bellagio. We’re seeing the grime. The fluorescent lights of a late-night pharmacy. The harsh, unnatural reds and blues of the desert at night. It feels oily. You can almost smell the stale cigarettes and cheap upholstery through the screen. This visual language is vital because it mirrors the internal state of the characters. Everything is artificial. Everything is on the verge of breaking.
The Dynamic Between Kinnaman and Cage
It’s easy to overlook Joel Kinnaman here. That’s a mistake. He’s the "straight man," the anchor that keeps the movie from floating off into total absurdity. While Cage is chewing the scenery, Kinnaman is doing a lot of heavy lifting with his eyes. You see the calculation. You see the terror. You see the moment he realizes that "The Passenger" isn't just some random carjacker.
- Cage: High energy, erratic, loud, wearing a literal red glitter coat.
- Kinnaman: Internalized, quiet, desperate, wearing a bland hoodie.
This contrast is what makes the Sympathy for the Devil movie work as a psychological piece. It’s a two-hander. If Kinnaman didn't sell the stakes, Cage would just be a guy in a funny outfit.
Fact-Checking the "True Story" Rumors
Let's clear something up right now. You might see people online trying to link this to some obscure true crime event in Nevada.
Stop.
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There is no "real" Sympathy for the Devil story in the sense of a historical event. The script, written by Luke Paradise, is an original work. It plays with tropes from classic noir and "wrong man" thrillers, but it isn’t a biopic or a docudrama. The title itself is obviously a nod to the Rolling Stones, but it’s more about the philosophical question: does a monster deserve your empathy if you understand how he was made?
The movie asks this constantly. By the third act, the power dynamic shifts. The "Devil" might not be the one holding the gun. Or maybe he is. The ambiguity is the point, even if the ending feels a bit more definitive than some viewers wanted.
The Diner Scene: A Modern Cult Classic Moment
If you only watch one part of the Sympathy for the Devil movie, make it the diner scene. It is essentially a short play tucked inside a movie. Cage orders food. He intimidates the staff. He forces Kinnaman to participate in a surreal game of "would you rather."
Then, the music starts.
Cage’s performance of "I Love the Nightlife" is both hilarious and genuinely threatening. It’s a feat of tonal balancing that very few actors could pull off without looking ridiculous. He makes it scary. He’s a predator playing with his food. It reminds me of the "funny how?" scene in Goodfellas, where the humor is just a thin veil over extreme violence.
Technical Execution and Direction
Yuval Adler, known for The Operative and Bethlehem, brings a gritty, international sensibility to this very American setting. He doesn't use a lot of jump cuts. He lets the camera linger on Cage’s face for uncomfortably long periods.
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This is a bold choice.
In a modern era where most thrillers are edited to death to keep the "pacing" up, Adler trusts his actors. He knows that watching Nicolas Cage try to decide whether to kill a waitress or eat a sandwich is more interesting than a car chase. The car stays mostly at a steady speed. The tension comes from the dialogue, the silences, and the flickering neon.
Is It Worth the Watch?
Honestly, it depends on your "Cage Threshold."
If you enjoyed Mandy or Pig, you’ll find something to love here. It’s not as elevated as Pig, and it’s not as psychedelic as Mandy. It sits somewhere in the middle—a grindhouse thriller with a high-budget brain. It’s a movie that rewards people who pay attention to the subtext. Look at the reflections in the car windows. Listen to the specific way the Passenger describes his past.
It’s a story about trauma, even if that trauma is wrapped in a sequined jacket and delivered with a scream.
The film didn't set the box office on fire, but it has found a second life on streaming platforms. It’s perfect for a late-night viewing when you want something that feels a little dangerous. It’s a 90-minute sprint. No filler. No bloated subplots about the Driver’s extended family or the police investigation. Just two guys, one car, and a whole lot of bad intentions.
Actionable Takeaways for Movie Night
If you're planning to sit down with the Sympathy for the Devil movie, keep these points in mind to get the most out of it:
- Watch for the color red: It’s everywhere. It signifies more than just danger; it represents the Passenger’s influence bleeding into the Driver’s world.
- Don't take the dialogue at face value: The Passenger is an unreliable narrator. Everything he says is a tool for manipulation.
- Pay attention to the sound design: The low hum of the car and the ambient desert noise are designed to make you feel as trapped as the Driver.
- Check out Cage's other "indie" work: If this hits the spot, follow it up with Joe or Color Out of Space to see how he’s been reinventing his career over the last decade.
The Sympathy for the Devil movie stands as a testament to the fact that you don't need a $200 million budget to create a memorable cinematic experience. You just need a solid script, a tight location, and an actor willing to go to the absolute edge of sanity. It’s weird, it’s loud, and it’s one of the most interesting things Cage has done in years.