Podcast Summary: "Deep Cuts Horror Hit List #1: 'Devil'"

Podcast: Amy Robach & T.J. Holmes Present
Episode: Deep Cuts Horror Hit List #1: “Devil”
Date: October 31, 2025
Hosts: Amy Robach and T.J. Holmes (iHeartPodcasts)

Overview

For the final entry in their month-long Halloween countdown, Amy Robach and T.J. Holmes spotlight "Devil" (2010), a lesser-known M. Night Shyamalan thriller. They explore what makes this PG-13, bottle-episode-style horror flick their number one "deep cut" pick—despite lackluster critical and audience scores. The discussion is packed with personal reactions, thoughtful analysis on genre expectations, and a defense of the film’s strengths over its notoriety.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Why "Devil" Tops Their List

• Surprise Factor: Both hosts describe "Devil" as a film that exceeded their expectations and left a lasting impression.
• Personal Connection: They created their list by instinct, not influenced by critical or popular opinion.
  • Amy: "We came up with our top five pretty quickly, and we agreed on our number one without any debate." (04:00)
  • T.J.: “This made me a big time M. Night Shyamalan fan.” (20:51)
• Rewatchability & Recommendation: Both hosts have revisited the film multiple times and find it appeals surprisingly to people who don’t usually like horror movies.

Basic Plot and Setup

• Elevator Horror: “The whole thing takes place in an elevator... five strangers’ day begins with an elevator ride in a Philadelphia office tower, but what happens next is anything but ordinary.” (06:07)
• Tight Runtime: At 80 minutes, it's a concise and taut ‘contained thriller’ without unnecessary subplots.

Character Development & Criticisms

• Character Investment:
  • Amy: “I actually really was invested in which one was the devil, what their past transgressions were that got them in this elevator.” (06:50)
  • T.J.: “In a very short amount of time, as far as character development goes, you get them.” (08:18)
• Critic Rebuttals: While some critics knock the film for shallow character development, both hosts disagree, citing the visceral responses the characters evoke and the smart use of limited time/space.

Cast & Direction

• Notable Actors: Chris Messina, Jenny O'Hara, Bokeem Woodbine, all described as familiar faces even if not household names.
  • T.J.: “You will immediately recognize [Bokeem Woodbine]... he has been all over the place.” (07:58)
• Behind the Scenes: Written and produced by Shyamalan, directed by John Erick Dowdle.

Reception & Rotten Tomatoes Scores

• Audience & Critics: Rotten Tomatoes: 49% (critics), 43% (audience) — notably low, but dismissed by the hosts.
  • T.J.: “Come on, folks, we gotta get these numbers up.” (08:55)
• Re-evaluating Over Time: Amy highlights that more recent audience reviews tend to be positive, especially as people rediscover the film on streaming platforms. (13:13)

Atmosphere & Themes

• Claustrophobic Tension: The “bottle episode” format (single location) heightens suspense, leveraging both elevator/fear anxieties and supernatural dread.
• Amy: “The tension and the fear... slowly and creepily develops in a way that I thought was so good. The subtlety of it made it so brilliant.” (09:28)
• Normalcy and Relatability: Their New York City backgrounds make elevator horror particularly resonant (10:22).

The Twist (No Spoilers)

• Crucial to Enjoyment: Both insist on avoiding spoilers for first-time viewers.
  • Amy: “Please, please, please, if you haven’t heard of this movie, if you haven’t read anything about it, don’t do it now. Watch the movie first.” (12:10)
  • T.J.: “For this thing to work, you have to go into it not knowing how it’s gonna end.” (12:27)
• Twist Quality: Both prefer "Devil"'s twist to those in other Shyamalan movies, feeling it lands better and elevates the movie. (22:32)

Themes & Moral Weight

• Not Just Kills: Beneath the horror, both find themes of forgiveness, moral reckoning, and human frailty.
  • Amy: “Sometimes horror movies are just slashers. This isn’t about the kills, this is about the story.” (15:19)
  • T.J.: “There is a moment that they built into the bigger moral... it does have a bigger moral theme.” (15:09)

Who It’s For—And Who It’s Not

• Wide Appeal: Not just for horror fans—it's appropriate for various ages, families, and even horror-averse people due to its PG-13 rating and lack of gore.
  • T.J.: “Anybody can watch this movie...” (24:18)
• Who Might Dislike It: Only those with rigid expectations about horror, or seeking extreme gore, might be disappointed.

Viewing Tips, Pairings, and Availability

• When & How to Watch: Suitable for solo or group viewing, day or night; the elevator’s bright lighting makes it easy to watch even during daylight.
  • Amy: “You can watch this alone, you can watch this in the day or at night. This can be watched anywhere, anytime, with anyone or no one.” (25:12)
• Snack Pairings: Lean into the devil theme with deviled eggs, red velvet cake, or fireball shots for Halloween. (25:23)
• Streaming: Not easily available on the main platforms; they recommend renting ($3.99) or purchasing ($14.99) via Apple TV or Fandango at Home. (25:55)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Elevator Fears:

  • T.J. (09:59): “Every time we go in an elevator, don’t we fear two things? One, it getting stuck. Two, getting stuck with a couple of assholes in here.”
  • Amy (10:11): “Or the Devil.”

• On Rotten Tomatoes Scores:

  • T.J. (08:55): “Come on, folks, we gotta get these numbers up.”
  • Amy (08:49): “The critics consensus actually was pretty good when you consider what that Rotten Tomatoes score just was. It's better than many of the other films M. Night Shyamalan has been associated with.”

• On Not Googling the Movie:

  • Amy (12:10): “Please, please, please, if you haven’t heard of this movie, if you haven’t read anything about it, don’t do it now. Watch the movie first.”
  • T.J. (12:27): “For this thing to work, you have to go into it not knowing how it’s gonna end.”

• On Who the Movie is For:

  • T.J. (24:00): “Anybody can watch this movie and… it's fun for the whole family.”
  • Amy (24:18): “Who is it not for? I guess anyone who's going to be critical and go into it with some sort of expectation…”

• On the Film’s Format:

  • Amy (25:12): “You can watch this alone, you can watch this in the day or at night. To me, this can be watched anywhere, anytime, with anyone or no one.”

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [02:54] - Top pick introduction and why "Devil" is a true deep cut
• [04:39] - Hosts explain their genuine selection process and initial doubts
• [06:07] - Plot summary: elevator, five strangers, supernatural twist
• [07:51] - Discussion about cast and recognition
• [08:49] - Low Rotten Tomatoes scores, hosts’ reaction
• [09:28] - Appreciation for tension, low-budget approach, and the movie’s atmosphere
• [12:10] - Metacommentary: urging listeners to avoid spoilers
• [14:07] - Reading of recent, positive audience reviews
• [15:09] - Acknowledgement of the film’s moral and thematic undertones
• [20:48] - Personal reasons this is their number one deep cut
• [22:32] - Deep dive: comparison to other Shyamalan twists and the film’s universal appeal
• [25:23] - Food and drink pairings, viewing experiences, and where to watch
• [26:25] - Reflection on "cute" as a descriptor & accessibility for all
• [27:29] - Encouragement to explore their full deep cuts list and embrace horror as a genre

Final Thoughts

Amy and T.J. make an enthusiastic, heartfelt case for "Devil" being an underappreciated gem of modern horror. They champion its universal appeal, suspenseful setup, and surprising twist, encouraging listeners to give it a chance—especially with as little foreknowledge as possible. Their lively, friendly debate highlights how subjective a film’s impact can be, and underscores their love for horror in all its forms.

Listen to this episode if you:

• Like suspenseful, single-location thrillers
• Want a horror movie that isn’t gory or R-rated
• Are curious about underrated or misunderstood films
• Enjoy Shyamalan’s storytelling twists (or want to be surprised by one that works especially well!)

Hosts:
Amy Robach & T.J. Holmes
Episode: Deep Cuts Horror Hit List #1: “Devil” (2010)
Total Run Time (content, excluding ads/outros): Approx. 26 min.