Yuval Adler’s “Sympathy For The Devil” is an eclectic psychological thriller movie that initially appears to be a cat-and-mouse chase in a noir backdrop and then turns into a character investigation raging around morality in action. The plot centres on David Chamberlain, a father of one with another child steadily on the way, who finds himself in a hostage situation following an encounter with a crazy stranger. David is held at gunpoint by the unusual Passenger, who stands out for his scarlet hair and clothing, and is made to drive around the fringes of Las Vegas.
The movie primarily consists of a talk between two characters that examines the connection between a person’s past and how it influences their present. The movie is a gripping thriller that is full of mystery and intrigue, which is emphasised by the vibrant neon cinematography. ‘Sympathy For The Devil’ embraces its odd aspects, yet the narrative stays rooted in reality. The same forces viewers to question whether the movie is based on anything factual. Let’s investigate!
Is Sympathy For The Devil a True Story?
No, the plot of “Sympathy for the Devil” is not based on a real event. The movie, directed by Yuval Adler and written by Luke Paradise, tells a fictional scenario that has no true basis in truth. However, the plot is appealing due to the film’s intriguing idea and the human study of emotions. When working on his well-received feature picture directorial debut, “Bethlehem,” in 2013, filmmaker Adler first learned about this project years ago. The genre wasn’t thought to be in the filmmaker’s wheelhouse at the time, therefore he was unable to secure the film from the producers. Adler communicated with the producers over time and checked in on the project on a regular basis.
Adler ultimately decided to get in touch with the author personally and purchase the script from him in 2021 after learning that the producers had lost the rights to the movie. Adler was committed to the project and intended to see it through, despite the large commitment. Adler explained his attraction with the movie in an interview with ScreenRant, stating, “It was the struggle, this two-hander, cat-and-mouse game, enclosed suspense. But in particular, [you know what I mean] I enjoyed the dark humour that was already present in the writing.
As a result, a significant portion of the plot is informed by the movie’s humorous approach to humour, which is hilarious without downplaying the gravity of the tale. As the mysterious focused Passenger, Nicolas Cage is essential in capturing that humour. The underlying whirlwind of real emotions in The Passenger gives the movie a distinctive dimension, despite the character’s bizarre, almost alien presence. Cage was initially drawn to the concept because of its resemblance to The Rolling Stones song of the same name. The band’s vocalist Mick Jagger and his character’s red hair moment from the 1970 movie “Performance” served as some of the influence for the actor’s portrayal.
Likewise, Cage studied demonology for his part and drew inspiration from a demon by the name of Asmodeus, who the actor discovered to be intimately related to the colour red. This impulsive choice has a big impact on the movie’s overall psychedelic visual motif and affinity to red. Although neither supernatural nor demonic, Cage’s character in the movie definitely has a demonic aspect that heightens his effect as a crazy figure. Cage was attracted to the movie for the same reason; he wanted to play a “bizarre and operatic” figure that was a mystery.
The same riddle that drives Nicolas Cage’s persona unites the movie and creates a fun contrast with Joel Kinnaman’s moody and reserved figure. The core bond between these two individuals undoubtedly gives the story some relatable moments. Nevertheless, ‘Sympathy for the Devil’ is a completely fictional story with no real-world foundations, despite the impression of reality it exudes.
