Plot Explained Spoilers guaranteed!
Plot Explained

Browse by genre

The Devil You Know (2022) movie poster

Characters & Themes

The Devil You Know (2022) Characters, Setting & Themes Explained

Release, runtime and language
2022 · 116 min · English
Echo score 60
JustWatch #362 17,995
Directed by
Charles Murray
Starring
Michael Beach, Sarah Minnich, Theo Rossi, Vaughn W. Hebron, William Catlett, Ashley A. Williams

A former convict, Marcus Cowans, struggles to rebuild his life and reconnect with his family. However, his troubled past resurfaces, drawing him and his loved ones into a dangerous conflict. They become entangled in a deadly game of cat and mouse with a relentless detective, forcing them to confront difficult truths and the shadows within themselves. Loyalty and morality are tested as they fight to protect what remains.

On this page (8)
  1. 1 Where to watch
  2. 2 Characters explained (3)
  3. 3 Where & when it takes place
  4. 4 Themes & meaning (3)
  5. 5 Character & meaning questions
  6. 6 Movie threads
  7. 7 Movies like The Devil You Know
  8. 8 Every angle

Where to watch

Where to Watch The Devil You Know (2022)

Where can you watch The Devil You Know? Stream, rent or buy it in the US, including on Peacock Premium, Peacock Premium Plus and Philo: current JustWatch availability with up-to-date prices.

Streaming availability powered by JustWatch

3 main characters · contains spoilers

The Devil You Know Characters Explained: Who Is Who

The main characters of The Devil You Know (2022), heroes and villains: what drives them, how they change over the course of the story and what each of them reveals about the film's bigger ideas.

  • Zoe Hughes

    Zoe is an aspiring actress determined to make her mark in a challenging industry. She battles insecurities and strives to distance herself from her mother's legacy, navigating the highs and lows of her career while confronting the darker aspects of her family's past.

    • 🎬 Aspiring Actress
    • 🌪️ Ambitious
  • Kathryn Vale

    Kathryn is a once-beloved film star whose fierce ambition and complicated relationship with her daughter create a tense atmosphere. While she masks her true desires, the push to reclaim her former glory drives many of her actions, revealing a multi-faceted character grappling with her own legacy.

    • 🌟 Film Star
    • 🖤 Complex
  • Jake

    Jake is Kathryn's new partner, becoming a point of contention between mother and daughter. His presence introduces new dynamics to the already strained relationship, complicating Zoe's efforts to assert her independence.

    • 💕 Love Interest
    • 🔥 Complicated

Last updated: October 22, 2024 at 23:26

Was this helpful?

Setting

Where and When Does The Devil You Know Take Place?

The setting of The Devil You Know (2022): the year and time period, the places and locations, and how they shape the characters, the mood and the tension of the story.

Time period

Contemporary

The film is set in contemporary times, reflecting the current state of the entertainment industry. This period is marked by the powerful influence of social media and changing standards for success, as characters navigate complex relationships and personal ambitions.

Location

Hollywood, Los Angeles

The movie takes place in the vibrant and competitive atmosphere of Hollywood, Los Angeles, a city known for its film industry and celebrity culture. It's a place where dreams are made, but also where intense rivalries and personal struggles unfold against the backdrop of ambition and fame.

  • 🌆 City
  • 🎬 Entertainment

Last updated: October 22, 2024 at 23:26

Was this helpful?

3 major themes

The Devil You Know Meaning: Themes & Message Explained

What is The Devil You Know (2022) really about? The emotional, social and philosophical themes the film keeps returning to, its symbolism and the message beneath the surface.

  • Family Rivalry

    The theme of family rivalry is central to the story, as Zoe Hughes struggles to carve out her identity in the shadow of her successful mother, Kathryn Vale. Their intense relationship is fraught with jealousy, competition, and unresolved emotions that threaten to destroy their bond, making the viewer question the price of ambition.

  • Ambition

    Ambition drives both mother and daughter in their respective quests for recognition and success. Zoe's relentless pursuit of her career clashes with Kathryn's desire to reclaim her past glory, highlighting how ambition can ignite both inspiration and conflict within familial relationships.

  • Mystery

    The film weaves a mysterious narrative surrounding Kathryn's past, especially the murder of her husband. This theme of mystery adds an element of suspense and intrigue as the characters deal with hidden truths and unresolved questions that ultimately affect their lives and choices.

Last updated: October 22, 2024 at 23:26

Was this helpful?

Character & theme questions

The Devil You Know Characters & Meaning: Your Questions Answered

The questions people ask about The Devil You Know (2022): who the characters really are, their relationships, what the symbols mean, where it takes place and what the movie is really about. Each answer contains spoilers.

Q1

Where does The Devil You Know take place?

The movie is set in Hollywood, Los Angeles, a city known for its film industry and celebrity culture. The setting serves as a backdrop for dreams being made and lost, where intense rivalries and personal struggles unfold against the backdrop of ambition and fame.

  • hollywood
  • los angeles
  • setting
  • entertainment industry
Q2

When is The Devil You Know set?

The film is set in contemporary times, reflecting the current state of the entertainment industry. This period is marked by the powerful influence of social media and changing standards for success, as characters navigate complex relationships and personal ambitions.

  • contemporary
  • modern
  • time period
  • social media
Q3

What is the family rivalry about in the movie?

The theme of family rivalry centers on Zoe Hughes struggling to carve out her identity in the shadow of her successful mother, Kathryn Vale. Their intense relationship is fraught with jealousy, competition, and unresolved emotions that threaten to destroy their bond, making viewers question the price of ambition.

  • family rivalry
  • mother daughter
  • jealousy
  • Kathryn Vale
  • Zoe Hughes
Q4

How does ambition drive the story?

Ambition drives both mother and daughter in their respective quests for recognition and success. Zoe's relentless pursuit of her career clashes with Kathryn's desire to reclaim her past glory, highlighting how ambition can ignite both inspiration and conflict within familial relationships.

  • ambition
  • success
  • career
  • legacy
  • Kathryn Vale
  • Zoe Hughes
Q5

What mystery surrounds Kathryn's past?

The film weaves a mysterious narrative surrounding Kathryn's past, especially the murder of her husband. This theme adds suspense and intrigue as characters deal with hidden truths and unresolved questions that ultimately affect their lives and choices.

  • mystery
  • murder
  • husband
  • Kathryn Vale
  • past secrets
Q6

Who is Zoe Hughes in the movie?

Zoe Hughes is an aspiring actress determined to make her mark in a challenging industry. She battles insecurities and strives to distance herself from her mother's legacy, navigating the highs and lows of her career while confronting the darker aspects of her family's past.

  • Zoe Hughes
  • actress
  • daughter
  • protagonist
Q7

Who is Kathryn Vale?

Kathryn Vale is a once-beloved film star whose fierce ambition and complicated relationship with her daughter create a tense atmosphere. While she masks her true desires, the push to reclaim her former glory drives many of her actions, revealing a multi-faceted character grappling with her own legacy.

  • Kathryn Vale
  • mother
  • film star
  • actress
Q8

Who is Jake in relation to Kathryn and Zoe?

Jake is Kathryn's new partner, becoming a point of contention between mother and daughter. His presence introduces new dynamics to the already strained relationship, complicating Zoe's efforts to assert her independence.

  • Jake
  • Kathryn's partner
  • relationship
  • conflict
Q9

What causes the tension between Zoe and Kathryn?

The tension between Zoe and Kathryn stems from Zoe's struggle to establish her own identity while constantly being compared to her successful mother. Kathryn's complicated relationship with her daughter creates a tense atmosphere fueled by competitive ambitions and unresolved family issues.

  • conflict
  • tension
  • mother daughter
  • family issues
Q10

How does the Hollywood setting influence the story?

The Hollywood setting creates a world where dreams are made and lost, intensified by rivalries and personal struggles. The backdrop of ambition and fame amplifies the family conflict between Zoe and Kathryn, making their rivalry not just personal but professionally charged.

  • Hollywood
  • entertainment industry
  • fame
  • ambition
  • film industry

Movie threads

More Movies Like The Devil You Know, by Mood & Story

Curated lists built around what makes The Devil You Know tick: the same mood, the same kind of story or the same emotional payoff. Each list explains why these movies belong together.

Tense Family Thrillers with Dark Secrets like The Devil You Know

Psychological thrillers where toxic family dynamics unravel under pressure. Explore movies like The Devil You Know that focus on psychological thrillers within a family unit. If you enjoyed the tense atmosphere, deceptive relationships, and the unraveling of dark family secrets, you'll find similar stories of betrayal and suspense here.

  • tense
  • psychological
  • family drama
  • deceptive
  • unsettling
  • claustrophobic
  • Tone: tense, dark, unsettling
  • Pacing: steady, escalating
Why these movies?

The story pattern: Narratives in this thread typically center on a family forced to confront a hidden trauma or crime from their past. The plot unfolds through escalating tension and psychological warfare between relatives, often leading to a dramatic confrontation that redefines their relationships forever.

Why they belong together: These movies are grouped together because they share a core focus on familial conflict as the primary source of thrills. They combine a dark, tense tone with heavy emotional weight, creating a specific experience of suspense rooted in personal betrayal rather than external action.

Slow Burn Psychological Dread like in The Devil You Know

Stories where unease builds steadily into inescapable psychological tension. Find movies similar to The Devil You Know that feature a slow burn buildup of psychological dread. If you liked the steady pacing, complex character psychology, and the anxious, claustrophobic suspense, this collection offers more films with a similarly intense and unsettling vibe.

  • slow burn
  • anxious
  • suspenseful
  • dark
  • psychological
  • unsettling
  • Tone: anxious, dark, suspenseful
  • Pacing: steady, slow burn
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative pattern involves a gradual accumulation of small, unsettling details and psychological pressures that compound over time. There is no sudden explosion of action; instead, the story methodically tightens its grip, focusing on the deterioration of a character's mental state or the uncovering of a disturbing truth.

Why they belong together: These films are connected by their shared approach to suspense: a steady, deliberate pacing that prioritizes atmospheric tension and psychological depth over fast-paced action. They create a specific, anxious mood defined by a high intensity of emotion and a complex, often dark, narrative.

If you liked this

Movies Like The Devil You Know

Similar movies to The Devil You Know: the same genre, themes or kind of story. Each one comes with its own plot summary, timeline and ending explained.

Browse all movie summaries

Every angle

The Devil You Know (2022) Explained: Plot, Timeline & Characters

Everything about The Devil You Know in one place: what happens in the plot summary, the timeline in chronological order, the characters and meaning and a spoiler-free summary. What's After the Movie adds the cast, box office and post-credit scenes.

Coming soon on iOS and Android

The Plot Explained Movie Summary App

Plot summaries, endings explained and timelines on your phone. Catch up on any movie in minutes, save your favorites and never miss a twist again.

Be the first to know when we launch. Your email stays private, always.

Learn more about the app