The Devil and Max Devlin
When Max dies in an accident, he goes straight to hell. But the devil Barney makes him an offer: if he manages to get three innocent youths to sell him their souls in the next two months, he may stay on earth. Max accepts, and returns to earth, equipped with special powers. However his task is harder than expected, especially when 7 years old Tobi demands that he marry his mother.
The film earned $16.0M at the global box office.
Plot Structure
Story beats plotted across runtime
Narrative Arc
Emotional journey through the story's key moments
Story Circle
Blueprint 15-beat structure
Arcplot Score Breakdown
Weighted: Precision (70%) + Arc (15%) + Theme (15%)
The Devil and Max Devlin (1981) reveals precise plot construction, characteristic of Steven Hilliard Stern's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 36 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.4, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Max Devlin is introduced as a greedy, heartless landlord evicting tenants and collecting rent without compassion, establishing his morally bankrupt existence.. Notably, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 11 minutes when Barney Satin offers Max a deal: return to Earth and secure three innocent souls to sign contracts with the devil within two months, or spend eternity in Hell.. At 11% through the film, this Disruption aligns precisely with traditional story structure. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
The First Threshold at 22 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 23% of the runtime. This illustrates the protagonist's commitment to Max actively chooses to pursue his first target, young Toby Hart, a boy who dreams of becoming a motocross champion, beginning his soul-hunting mission., moving from reaction to action.
At 47 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 49% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Significantly, this crucial beat False victory: Max successfully gets two of the three souls to sign contracts. He's falling for Penny and enjoying being a father figure, but his success is built on deception and damnation., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 70 minutes (73% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Max's deception is exposed to Penny, who discovers the truth about his deal with the devil. She is devastated by his betrayal. Max realizes he has destroyed the genuine love he found while trying to save himself., indicates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 77 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Max makes his choice: he refuses to deliver the final soul and decides to void all the contracts, even though it means returning to Hell. His love for Penny and the children outweighs his fear of damnation., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
The Devil and Max Devlin's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs structural analysis methodology used to understand storytelling architecture. By mapping The Devil and Max Devlin against these established plot points, we can identify how Steven Hilliard Stern utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish The Devil and Max Devlin within the comedy genre.
Comparative Analysis
Additional comedy films include The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, The Bad Guys and Lake Placid.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Max Devlin is introduced as a greedy, heartless landlord evicting tenants and collecting rent without compassion, establishing his morally bankrupt existence.
Theme
Barney Satin tells Max that souls are won through exploitation of innocence and hope, hinting at the film's theme that redemption comes through genuine love and selflessness, not manipulation.
Worldbuilding
Max's despicable character is established as he terrorizes tenants. He is hit by a bus while chasing a boy and descends to Hell, where the underworld's bureaucratic system is revealed.
Disruption
Barney Satin offers Max a deal: return to Earth and secure three innocent souls to sign contracts with the devil within two months, or spend eternity in Hell.
Resistance
Barney explains the rules: Max must get three pure souls to willingly sign contracts. Max initially resists but realizes he has no choice. He is returned to Earth with supernatural abilities to help him succeed.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Max actively chooses to pursue his first target, young Toby Hart, a boy who dreams of becoming a motocross champion, beginning his soul-hunting mission.
Mirror World
Max meets Penny Hart, Toby's widowed mother, who represents everything Max lacks: warmth, integrity, and genuine love. Their connection will ultimately transform him.
Premise
Max uses his devilish powers to befriend his targets: helping Toby become a motocross star, assisting nerdy Nerve Nordlinger in becoming a rock sensation, and aiding shy Stella Summers with her singing career. He grows closer to Penny while manipulating the children.
Midpoint
False victory: Max successfully gets two of the three souls to sign contracts. He's falling for Penny and enjoying being a father figure, but his success is built on deception and damnation.
Opposition
Max's conscience awakens as he bonds genuinely with Penny and the children. Barney pressures him to complete the third contract. Max struggles between his growing love and his damned obligation, realizing he cares more about these people than his own soul.
Collapse
Max's deception is exposed to Penny, who discovers the truth about his deal with the devil. She is devastated by his betrayal. Max realizes he has destroyed the genuine love he found while trying to save himself.
Crisis
Max faces the consequences of his choices. He must decide between completing his contract and condemning innocent souls, or sacrificing himself to save them. His transformation from selfish to selfless reaches its critical point.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Max makes his choice: he refuses to deliver the final soul and decides to void all the contracts, even though it means returning to Hell. His love for Penny and the children outweighs his fear of damnation.
Synthesis
Max confronts Barney and tears up the contracts, freeing the souls he trapped. He accepts his fate and prepares to return to Hell, having finally found something worth more than his own survival.
Transformation
Max's selfless act of love redeems his soul. He is spared from Hell and given a second chance at life, reuniting with Penny and the family. The former selfish slumlord is transformed into a man capable of genuine love.