Beat the Devil

About This Movie

So, 'Beat the Devil' is an interesting piece, really. It’s a drama penned by David Hare, and Ralph Fiennes brings a unique energy to the role of the playwright. The film explores his experience of contracting Covid-19 right as the UK lockdown was announced. What stands out here is the tone—there’s a raw honesty and a palpable sense of confinement that permeates the atmosphere. You can feel the tension and uncertainty, which is quite reflective of those early days of the pandemic. The pacing is deliberately measured, allowing the weight of his thoughts to settle in. It’s not flashy with effects, but the performances carry the narrative. It’s distinctive in how it captures a moment in time we all lived through, yet through the lens of a creative mind grappling with fear and isolation.

Interesting take on pandemic themesStrong central performance by FiennesReflects the atmosphere of early lockdown days