Im Auftrag des Teufels

Ich habe den Film zum zweiten Mal gesehen, 18 Jahre nach der Prämiere im Kino, und erhöhe die Bewertung auf 5 Sterne. Solche Drehbücher schrieb man in den 90er Jahren für eine Genre-Unterhaltung! Die Schauspieler*innen! Und die Ausstattung – egal ob die Interieurs oder die Kulissen von New York! Was geschieht heute mit dem Hollywood?! (22.09.2015)

Who would believe that after a slightly tired introduction, I would be so enthusiastic at the end? After each screening, I look forward to watching it again, already expecting that the beginning will seem better in the context of the rest of the story. It starts off so innocent, but that's when the biggest surprise comes, when the story starts to pick up pace and the atmosphere thickens to the point where you anticipate a fright with every shot. It's no wonder, director Hackford knows how to create very disturbing moments (a brilliant and dark sexual scene) and contrasting visual and sound inserts of mystery in innocent moments. However, it is difficult to judge how successful it would be without the actors. Reeves, in fact, delivers the best performance of his career and thanks to this film, Pacino has definitively become an incomparable acting chameleon. (26.08.2006)

This film has four big assets: Al Pacino, whose portrayal of the Devil is unique, Charlize Theron, who’s even better as a woman falling into madness, great music by James Newton Howard, and an interesting and novel plot. Keanu Reeves does his best, but he's no match for the first two. Excellent thriller. (13.04.2003)

Originally, I had only four stars, but after careful consideration, I decided to add one more because besides the very good screenplay, which moves in a mysterious genre in an original way, the film also has top-notch casting and amazing performances. Al Pacino excels in the role of the ruler of hell. Keanu Reeves has probably reached his acting maximum, Charlize Theron shows that she is not only a beautiful model but also an excellent actress, and Connie Nielsen is wonderfully corrupt in her supporting role. Overall impression: 90%. (18.06.2006)

Superb thriller with a brilliant demonic performance by Al Pacino. The story develops slowly and I even doubted that the advertised supernatural element would appear at all. Fortunately, halfway through things begin going in right direction, Satan shines, Charlize Theron is impressively crazy and Keanu Reeves is pretty good, too. I can imagine it 30 minutes shorter, but doesn’t matter, it still fun as it is. 9/10 (21.05.2010)