Talk of the Devil is a weirdly cold, fascinating relic

Should you watch this?

Honestly, if you like old British dramas that feel a bit dusty and mean-spirited, you’ll probably get a kick out of Talk of the Devil. It’s not exactly a hidden masterpiece, and the pacing can be a real slog in the middle, but it’s got this weird, sharp edge to it. If you’re looking for a breezy weekend watch or something with big, flashy thrills, skip it. You’ll just be bored.

The whole premise of a businessman hiring a guy to play pretend just to ruin his brother’s life is pretty dark for its time. It’s got that classic, smoky vibe you find in films like Masquerade, but it lacks that movie's polish. The businessman character is so unlikable it’s almost impressive.

The mimicry bit

The scenes where the mimic is learning how to be someone else are actually the best parts. There’s a specific look in his eyes when he realizes he’s better at being the 'ideal suitor' than any real person could ever be. It’s creepy. It’s also the only time the movie feels like it’s actually awake.

• The dialogue feels like it was written on a napkin while the writer was running for a train.
• Some of the supporting cast are clearly just there to fill space in the frame.
• There is a scene in a parlor that lasts for an eternity.

It makes me think of The Private Life of Henry VIII, mostly because of how much space these people take up in the room. But here, the room feels suffocating rather than grand. The tension is supposed to be high, but half the time it just feels like everyone is waiting for their cue to leave.

A few notes

Is the ending earned? Probably not. It happens so fast that I had to rewind just to make sure I didn't miss a line of dialogue. It’s like the director just decided, okay, everyone is sad now, and rolled the credits. It’s a bit jarring. Still, I’ve seen worse ways to spend an hour.

If you're really into the history of British cinema, it's worth a peek just to see Carol Reed finding his footing. It's a bit like watching a kid try to ride a bike with training wheels that are clearly way too tight. 🎥