The Devil's Advocate (1997) Ending Explained
TL;DR:
The Devil's Advocate (1997) ends with a shocking twist that recontextualizes the entire story. Hotshot lawyer Kevin Lomax (Keanu Reeves) realizes his boss, John Milton (Al Pacino), is literally the Devil and has been manipulating him to sire the Antichrist. After refusing to join Milton's evil empire and shooting himself, Kevin wakes up in a time loop, suggesting the cycle of temptation will repeat. The film explores themes of free will, corruption, and the price of ambition, leaving viewers questioning whether Kevin can ever truly escape damnation.
Detailed Explanation of the Ending
The climax of The Devil's Advocate sees Kevin Lomax uncovering the horrifying truth that his charismatic, powerful boss, John Milton, is Satan himself. Milton reveals his grand plan: Kevin is his biological son, and Milton has orchestrated Kevin's rise in the legal world to groom him into becoming the father of the Antichrist (via Kevin's wife, Mary, who was manipulated into insanity and suicide). In a final confrontation, Kevin resists Milton's offer of limitless power, declaring, "Vanity… definitely my favorite sin," before shooting himself in the head to thwart his father's plans.
However, the film doesn't end there. Kevin suddenly wakes up in the same courthouse where the story began, seemingly having relived the past. A reporter approaches him with an offer from a prestigious New York law firm-the same scenario that originally led him to Milton. This time, Kevin initially resists, but when the reporter insists, he smirks and says, "Alright, let me guess… unlimited power?" The implication is that the cycle of temptation is beginning again, and Kevin may be doomed to repeat his mistakes.
Unresolved Questions & Possible Answers
Is Kevin trapped in an endless cycle of damnation?
- Yes: The loop suggests Satan always wins, and Kevin can never escape.
- No: His smirk could mean he's aware this time and might outsmart Milton.
Was Mary's fate inevitable?
- Yes: Milton engineered her downfall to isolate Kevin.
- No: Kevin's ambition blinded him to saving her earlier.
Does free will truly exist in this world?
- No: Milton's omniscience implies fate is predetermined.
- Yes: Kevin's final choice to reject evil suggests momentary defiance.
Themes & Symbolism
The ending reinforces the film's central themes of temptation, corruption, and the illusion of free will. Milton embodies the seductive nature of evil, offering success at the cost of one's soul. The time loop suggests that human weakness-pride, greed, vanity-makes people perpetual victims of the Devil's schemes. The courthouse setting symbolizes judgment, implying Kevin (and humanity) will always be on trial for their moral choices.
Personal Opinion
The Devil's Advocate is a brilliant, underrated psychological thriller with a powerhouse performance from Pacino. The ending is both chilling and thought-provoking, leaving just enough ambiguity to spark debate. While some may find the time loop frustrating, I think it's a clever way to show that evil is cyclical and omnipresent. Reeves' portrayal of Kevin's moral struggle is compelling, though the real star is the film's commentary on how ambition can damn us. The only flaw is Mary's underwritten arc-her tragic fate feels more like a plot device than a fully explored tragedy.
Final Verdict
A haunting, philosophically rich conclusion that cements The Devil's Advocate as more than just a supernatural thriller-it's a cautionary tale about the cost of unchecked ambition. Whether Kevin is doomed or has a chance at redemption remains open to interpretation, making the film linger in the mind long after the credits roll.