The Devil's Advocate
Kevin Lomax, a ruthless young Florida attorney who never lost a case, is recruited by the most powerful law firm in the world. In spite of his mother's disagreement (she compares New York City to Babylon), he accepts the offer and the money that comes along. But soon, his wife starts feeling homesick and seeing devilish apparitions. However, Kevin is sinking in his new cases and pays less and less attention to his wife. His boss and mentor, John Milton, seems to always know how to overcome every problem and that just freaks out Kevin.
Despite a mid-range budget of $57.0M, The Devil's Advocate became a box office success, earning $153.0M worldwide—a 168% return.
2 wins & 7 nominations
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's Advocate (1997) demonstrates carefully calibrated narrative design, characteristic of Taylor Hackford's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 2 hours and 24 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 6.6, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Kevin Lomax, an undefeated Florida defense attorney, cross-examines a child victim in a molestation case. He knows his client is guilty but proceeds anyway, establishing his moral compromise and obsession with winning.. The analysis reveals that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 17 minutes when A mysterious headhunter from Milton, Chadwick & Waters approaches Kevin with an offer to help with jury selection in New York City - an opportunity that seems too good to refuse.. At 12% 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 34 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 24% of the runtime. This shows the protagonist's commitment to Despite his mother's warnings and Mary Ann's hesitation, Kevin accepts John Milton's offer to join the New York firm, choosing ambition and career success over the moral safety of his small-town life., moving from reaction to action.
At 72 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Structural examination shows that this crucial beat Kevin successfully defends a billionaire accused of murdering his family (Alexander Cullen), securing an acquittal. This false victory marks his complete embrace of winning over morality while Mary Ann's mental state deteriorates dramatically., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 106 minutes (74% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Mary Ann commits suicide by slashing her throat with a mirror shard in the hospital. The woman Kevin loved is dead, destroyed by his choices and Milton's manipulation. The whiff of death becomes literal., indicates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 115 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Armed with the knowledge of Milton's true identity as Satan and his own demonic heritage, Kevin returns to confront his father, finally understanding the full scope of what he's been part of., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
The Devil's Advocate's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs systematic plot point analysis that identifies crucial turning points. By mapping The Devil's Advocate against these established plot points, we can identify how Taylor Hackford 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's Advocate within the drama genre.
Taylor Hackford's Structural Approach
Among the 9 Taylor Hackford films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.1, reflecting strong command of classical structure. The Devil's Advocate takes a more unconventional approach compared to the director's typical style. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Taylor Hackford filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional drama films include Eye for an Eye, South Pacific and Kiss of the Spider Woman. For more Taylor Hackford analyses, see Bound by Honor, Ray and Dolores Claiborne.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Kevin Lomax, an undefeated Florida defense attorney, cross-examines a child victim in a molestation case. He knows his client is guilty but proceeds anyway, establishing his moral compromise and obsession with winning.
Theme
Kevin's devoutly religious mother Alice warns him about pride and vanity, quoting scripture about the Devil's greatest trick. She embodies the thematic warning: "Vanity is definitely my favorite sin."
Worldbuilding
Kevin's undefeated record in Gainesville, his relationship with wife Mary Ann, his mother's religious warnings, and his reputation as a brilliant but morally flexible attorney are established.
Disruption
A mysterious headhunter from Milton, Chadwick & Waters approaches Kevin with an offer to help with jury selection in New York City - an opportunity that seems too good to refuse.
Resistance
Kevin travels to New York, successfully selects the jury, and is offered a permanent position at the firm. Mary Ann expresses reservations about leaving Florida, and Kevin's mother warns him against going.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Despite his mother's warnings and Mary Ann's hesitation, Kevin accepts John Milton's offer to join the New York firm, choosing ambition and career success over the moral safety of his small-town life.
Mirror World
Mary Ann settles into their luxurious Manhattan apartment, initially excited about their new life. She represents Kevin's humanity and the life he's sacrificing; her wellbeing becomes the thematic barometer of Kevin's soul.
Premise
Kevin thrives at the firm, winning cases and enjoying the wealth and power. He defends increasingly morally questionable clients while Mary Ann becomes isolated and begins experiencing disturbing visions.
Midpoint
Kevin successfully defends a billionaire accused of murdering his family (Alexander Cullen), securing an acquittal. This false victory marks his complete embrace of winning over morality while Mary Ann's mental state deteriorates dramatically.
Opposition
Mary Ann's hallucinations worsen as she sees demonic faces. Kevin discovers disturbing truths about Milton's associates. Mary Ann is institutionalized after a breakdown. Kevin begins investigating Milton's true nature.
Collapse
Mary Ann commits suicide by slashing her throat with a mirror shard in the hospital. The woman Kevin loved is dead, destroyed by his choices and Milton's manipulation. The whiff of death becomes literal.
Crisis
Kevin is devastated by Mary Ann's death. He confronts his mother Alice, who finally reveals the truth: John Milton is Kevin's biological father - and he is the Devil himself.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Armed with the knowledge of Milton's true identity as Satan and his own demonic heritage, Kevin returns to confront his father, finally understanding the full scope of what he's been part of.
Synthesis
Milton reveals his grand plan: Kevin was bred to mate with his half-sister Christabella to produce the Antichrist. Milton offers Kevin ultimate power. Kevin refuses, choosing free will over destiny, and shoots himself.
Transformation
Time resets to the courtroom in Florida. Kevin, given a second chance, chooses to withdraw from the child molestation case, sacrificing his perfect record. But a reporter's flattery tempts him again - Milton's face appears, reminding us: "Vanity, definitely my favorite sin."