Nerdly » ‘Crimes of the Devil’ VOD Review

11th Mar2025

‘Crimes of the Devil’ VOD Review

by Phil Wheat

Stars: AnnaLynne McCord, Dean Cain, Natasha Henstridge, James Russo, Ryan Bates, Cami Storm, Zaina Juliette, Lametria Jackson, John Redlinger | Written by John Spare | Directed by Tommy Stovall

One of our remits here at Nerdly is to champion no-budget and low-budget movies, uncovering hidden gems that might not have that “big budget” polish but make up for it with creativity, commitment, and bold storytelling. Crimes of the Devil fits that bill to a tee – it’s an intriguing entry in the psychological thriller genre, offering a mix of theological horror, crime drama, and moral ambiguity. While it does have its flaws, it’s an ambitious effort that deserves some attention.

Crimes of the Devil follows a woman, Eve (AnnaLynne McCord; Excision, Tone-Deaf), who commits a shocking act of violence and then, under interrogation, begins unravelling the mysterious and eerie circumstances that led her to that point. There’s an almost stage-play quality to the film, relying heavily on dialogue, psychological tension, and character performances rather than elaborate set pieces or visual spectacle. This kind of storytelling can be a double-edged sword—when it works, it’s deeply engaging, but when it falters, it can feel like the film is spinning its wheels. Like Crimes of the Devil.

One of the strongest elements here is the lead performance. The film rests on the shoulders of McCord and she delivers a compelling, layered portrayal of a woman caught between fate, faith, and madness. The performances of the supporting cast, including Dean Cain, who plays shrink Dr. Donald Thomas, range in effectiveness, with some performances adding to the eerie tension and others leaning into a more melodramatic “Hallmark” style that sometimes clashes with the film’s tone.

Visually, Crimes of the Devil was clearly made on a modest budget, but it doesn’t always look that way. The cinematography is simple but effective, making good use of close-ups and stark lighting to emphasize the psychological unease at play. The film’s atmosphere is heightened by a score that leans into unsettling religious overtones, reinforcing the central themes of sin, redemption, and predestination.

However, where the film struggles is in its pacing and script. Crimes of the Devil introduces intriguing ideas – blending religious horror with crime thriller elements – but it sometimes gets bogged down in heavy exposition which slows the momentum. While some dialogue scenes ramp up the tension, others feel like they’re stalling for time rather than advancing the story. Additionally, the film’s third act reaches for a grand, philosophical conclusion that doesn’t fully pay off, leaving the resolution feeling somewhat underwhelming.

That said, I respect what the filmmakers were going for. This is a movie that aims high despite its constraints, and that’s always worth something in the low-budget genre space. If you enjoy psychological thrillers that flirt with horror and theological dread you might find Crimes of the Devil to be a worthwhile watch, even if it doesn’t quite achieve the same level of impact.

In the end, Crimes of the Devil is an interesting, uneven, but ambitious indie thriller and genre fans who appreciate thought-provoking ideas, no matter the budget, should give it a look.