The Devil Movie Review: What's Good, What's Bad In Darshan's Film? Find Out

Challenging Star Darshan's long-delayed film The Devil finally hit theatres on Thursday, drawing massive attention across Karnataka and beyond. Despite the actor currently being in judicial custody in connection with the Renuka Swamy murder case, the film has opened with an exceptional number of shows, turning its release into one of the biggest cinematic events of the year for Kannada cinema.

Rachana Rai stars opposite Darshan in this action-packed drama, which also features an ensemble cast including Mahesh Manjrekar, Achyuth Kumar, Sharmiela Mandre, Roger Narayanan, Shobhraj and Srinivas Prabhu. The music for The Devil has been composed by B Ajaneesh Loknath, while Sudhakar S Raj has handled the cinematography, promising visually rich sequences to complement the film's grand scale.

The Devil Review

Prakash Veer's The Devil is powered almost entirely by Darshan, who delivers an impressive double act as both the innocent dreamer and the unhinged antagonist. Playing two sharply contrasting characters isn't easy, but Darshan brings remarkable clarity and conviction to each role.

The story revolves around Krishna, a mess owner who dreams of becoming a film star. His life takes an unexpected turn when political schemers force him to impersonate Dhanush, the chief minister's disgraced and dangerous son. While Krishna is soft-spoken and sincere, Dhanush-infamously called "The Devil"-lives a life of crime and chaos. When their paths collide, Rukmini (Rachana Rai) becomes the emotional centre of the conflict. The film tracks how Krishna juggles the pressures of the deceit while trying to protect the people who believe in him.

Darshan stands out in both characters, switching his mannerisms, voice and energy effortlessly. Achyuth Kumar and Mahesh Manjrekar add gravitas with strong supporting performances, while Rachana Rai gets a meaningful role rather than a token presence.

Prakash Veer keeps the narration tight, blends commercial elements smartly, and delivers stylish elevation moments. Despite a predictable arc, The Devil remains engaging and serves as a satisfying mass entertainer led by a standout Darshan.

Pros

Darshan's dual performance is the film's biggest strength, showcasing strong variation in body language, voice and energy.

Engaging screenplay that maintains pace despite an early reveal of the dual-role twist.

Rachana Rai gets a substantial part, adding emotional weight rather than being limited to glamour.

Strong supporting cast, especially Achyuth Kumar and Mahesh Manjrekar, who elevate the political drama.

Mass moments and elevation scenes are crafted well to satisfy Darshan's fans.

Songs and visuals add to the film's commercial appeal, with the intro song standing out.

Good balance of action, drama and sentiment, keeping the narrative lively.

Cons

Predictable storyline, with few surprises for regular viewers of political thrillers.

Some characters feel underutilised, especially Sharmiela Mandre and Shobraj.

Commercial elements occasionally overshadow emotional depth, reducing impact in certain scenes.

The political setup relies on familiar tropes, offering limited freshness in plot development.

Climax could have been more powerful, given the strong build-up.

What The audience Say About The Devil?

The South Cinemaa: #TheDevil - Total Waste 😵‍💫

The movie is a big disappointment with routine politics, poor scene flow, rushed editing & even Krishna's wig looking completely off. #Darshan's forced comedy doesn't help either.

Except for the stylish Devil avatar and a decent interval block, nothing really works. Overall, one of the weakest films from this team.

KannadaCult: As a neutral fan, #TheDevil felt very Darshan-centric with mass dialogues aimed at his base. Theatre vibe & celebrations were insane though! #Gilli's appearance stole the show - huge cheers. One-time watch, rating 2.75/5. #TheDevilOnDec11 #KannadaCinema

Manu: #TheDevil My rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Dboss' acting and looks were just amazing. The BGM was top-notch, the interval scene was 🥶, and the movie was engaging and entertaining throughout. All the characters did their part very well. The story and songs could have been a little better.

Movie is a complete family entertainer, go and watch with your family.

Surprisingly, you'll find DBOSS funnier than Gilli, Karthik, and Shobhraj❤️
#Dboss #TheDevilFDFS #Gilli

ಮಂಡ್ಯ ಗೂಳಿ: #TheDevil is a complete mass entertainer, what fans expect🤟
#DBoss sets the screen on fire with his unmatched charisma, powerful presence and attitude🔥
Every elevation, dialogue &every action block is designed to give pure goosebumps💥
⭐⭐⭐⭐.3/5
#BlockbusterDevil

Jai's Cinema World: My view on #TheDevil

Decent movie with less fan service and more focus on the story. You can watch it once if you enjoy commercial political dramas!!!

RATINGS: 3.5/5

@dasadarshan #Devil #DBoss #PrakashVeer
@AJANEESHB #RachanaRai

Manu: An average entertainer made for the fans. I personally felt too many build ups. Darshan steals the show in two avatars. Action blocks and punch dialogues are major plus.

Sumanth R: #TheDevil First Half - Pakka Paisa Vasool!Est disa agithu guruve ninna ee thara ondh pakka entertainer nalli nodi🛐🛐💥💥
En performance guru @dasadarshan
Never expected #PrakashVeer Would Execute this well💥💥
Each and every department have nailed it!
BB vibes already
#DBoss

Cineloka: #TheDevil Interval.

Decent First Half. Couple of Twists are Interesting.

Challenging Star Darshan's Performance is Good.

Dboss-Bellary 😎: Mind-blowing #thedevil character...and Krishna character.. fight between thedevil and Krishna 😎💥💥💥blast
@AJANEESHB superb no comprise Bgm
Rachima ❤️ excellent acting..
Story is expected with unexpected 😎😎
@PrakashVeer_ director...sakathagidhe ❤️😎🫂

Sumanth R: #TheDevil - Career Best Performance Without Any Doubt!
En guru nin performance🛐Ninge Neene Saati
@dasadarshan
🛐🛐
Thank You #PrakashVeer Man wasn't aware of your game!

Manthesh Basavanna: #TheDevil #TheDevilFDFS
Yav lk ball mathnu kelbedi movie nodi Major highlights #DBoss
@dasadarshan
And heroine next we may search in other industries.....
Gilli Huli super acting
@AJANEESHB
wow what a BGM man Loved It
Songs missing 2 songs only watch in theatre & Prakash 🔥

HarshithDFan: That's it the this is the tweet 🔥
Thank you so much
@MilanaPrakash

Ultimate movie 5/5

CM🪑

" Movie starts everyone will appreciate Krishna 🙏 then 2nd half = #TheDevil 💥☠️

Don't fall to negative reviews , just quote me man if the movie is negative that's it !

Review 👇
•Character #TheDevil will dominate the movie screen
•Character Krishna ♥️🥹 (Acting)
•
@AJANEESHB
❤️‍🔥 (Main man)
•
@TheRachanaRai
(Debut 🫡)
•Mass Entertainer + Comedy , recently the best one
•Overall =
@DasaDarshan
🫡
@MilanaPrakash
🙏
@AJANEESHB
☠️

#DBoss #TheDevilBookings #TheDevilFDFS #TheDevil #TheDevilReview

Dinesh Kumar: It's a Blockbuster 🥳❤‍🔥
@dasadarshan Boss acting Variations 🙏🛐
Climax Twist🤯, mind benging
#TheDevil #TheDevilFDFS #DBoss𓃰

Nimish S Koushik: One line review..
Fans ಗು ಜೈ , Family audience ಗು ಜೈ.
ಎರಡು contents balanced ಆಗಿದೆ 🔥🔥💥💥 #TheDevil #DBoss
@sjmcfilms

@saregamasouth

KKK: #TheDevil Movie contains everything It's Blockbuster 💥💥💥💥💥

Here's is what netizens say about The Devil:

nang ansiddu:2nd half /overall review

WORST || DISAPPOINTED 🤦🤦🤦
1.5⭐/5

Full tweet oodhbittu amele kelgade comment haki , adku munche nin ha hero fan , ee hero fan antha ella comment madodh

Nijvaglu director prakash avru ide script na ready madidu atva shooting time kammi sikithu heliro date movie release madbeku antha script na change madidra!??

• Story alli continuity illa
• Darshan sir negative role ondh churu chanagilla
• Krishna character alli darshan avru tumba chanagi acting madidare, but the DEVIL character (no words)
• innu ha dual role 🙏🙏🙏 adru bagge en helbeku antha ne Gothilla
• fans ge antha keluondh dialogue ide , avu kooda chanagidave

• kaatera antha olle movie madi , adh heege ee script na select madidro goth aglilla

• overall ee movie fans ge ista aguthe ansuthe
Niv obba neutral audience agidre tumba disappoint aguthe

Nan tweet nimge fake ansthide andre , full day wait madi ellru word of mouth en antha goth aguthe

#TheDevil
1st half review
-Routine political drama
-Scence alli connectivity illa
-Tumba urgent alli movie edit madiro tara ide
-Costume designer yarappa adu , ha krishna character(darshan )ge sariyagi hair wig select madok agilla
-Darshan sir du keluondh kade tumba forced comedy ansuthe

+Devil character stylish agi torsidare
+ Interval block chanagide

Overall below average first half

As a neutral fan , first half astondh ista aglilla

2/5⭐

VA 🖤: An okayish first half with a decent double-action setup and a good hero entry song, though a few dull scenes and off-sync BGM slow it down. The interval works well and hints at a strong dual-hero face-off, keeping you interested for the second half#TheDevil

Chethan: #TheDevil #DBoss
BB First Half, Darshan in his best...

ಮಂಡ್ಯ ಗೂಳಿ: Darshan #TheDevil Interval Block💥
Boss Krishna acting gives a full fan-boy moment ❤‍🔥
The emotions hit so hard it brings tears😍

Entertainment Games: Blockbuster First half 🔥🤯.
The Devil ✖️ Devil The Hero.
#thedevil #DBoss