You are here:

The Devil and Max Devlin

Name: The Devil and Max Devlin
Director: Steven Hilliard Stern
Released: 1981
Duration: 96 min

Representation Score

3.3/10

Limited

1981

Director

Steven Hilliard Stern

Runtime

96 minutes

Average Rating

No ratings yet

New Showbiz Analysis

The film stands out for its progressive casting in the early 1980s, featuring a Black actor in a high-status role. This subverts the era's typical racial hierarchies by giving Max Devlin significant influence and power. However, the film remains rooted in traditional social structures. Gender and romantic dynamics follow conventional patterns, and the narrative lacks representation for LGBTQ+ identities or disability-related themes. Ultimately, while the film challenges racial stereotypes, its reliance on traditional moralizing and conventions that assume everyone is straight limits its broader impact.

Watch this, not that →

Category Breakdown

Does The Devil and Max Devlin have LGBTQ+ representation?

Minimal

The film does not include any LGBTQ+ characters or explore non-straight relationships. The romantic plot focuses on the protagonist's relationship with a female love interest.

How does The Devil and Max Devlin portray gender?

Fair

Gender roles in the film remain traditional. Female characters mainly serve as emotional support or romantic partners rather than playing key roles in the supernatural conflict.

How racially and ethnically diverse is The Devil and Max Devlin?

Good

The film breaks 1981 casting conventions by featuring a Black actor in a leading role. Max Devlin is a wealthy real estate developer with significant influence and control over events.

How does The Devil and Max Devlin represent religion and culture?

Good

The story criticizes excessive materialism by portraying the pursuit of wealth as spiritually bankrupt. It uses religious symbols to encourage moral growth and human connection over material success.

Does The Devil and Max Devlin include disability representation?

Minimal

There are no prominent portrayals of physical or neurodivergent disabilities. Characters with disabilities are not central to the narrative.

Present on Screen

Features a Black lead in a high-status, influential role, breaking 1981 casting norms.
Critiques greed and unbridled capitalism through the protagonist's journey.
Uses religious themes to explore personal moral growth rather than strict doctrine.

Limited or Absent

Does not include LGBTQ+ characters or explore non-straight relationships.
Female characters are limited to emotional support roles rather than central drivers.
Does not address physical or neurodivergent disabilities within the narrative.

Official Synopsis

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 seven year old Tobi demands that he marry his mother.

How are these scores produced? →