Sometimes, the best stories are the ones that come out of left field, the ones you didn’t see coming, and The Devil and the Daylong Brothers is definitely one of those. Picture this: a Southern Gothic, a sprinkle of folklore, a dash of violence, and a whole lot of music—it sounds like a cocktail of chaos, doesn’t it?
Directed by Brandon McCormick, this film stirs up a cocktail of action, fantasy, and musical flair in ways that’ll keep you guessing. And while it may not always hit every high note, it certainly manages to strum a few unforgettable riffs that stick.
It’s a story about three brothers, bound by a curse, hell-bent on reclaiming their stolen souls, all while battling enemies, facing violence, and yes, bursting into song in the middle of a gunfight. Is it unconventional? Absolutely. Does it work? Well, more often than not, yes—but not without its hiccups.
The plot: The brothers—three souls, one mission
The Devil and the Daylong Brothers kicks off with a premise that feels like something ripped from the pages of a fevered nightmare. Ish (Brendan Bradley), Enoch (Nican Robinson), and Abe (Jordon Bolden) are brothers—but not your typical family trio. These guys share a father, Nehemiah Daylong (Keith Carradine), but their souls were sold to the Devil before they even had a chance to take their first breath.
Now, adults, they’re on a revenge-fueled quest to reclaim what’s rightfully theirs, and if that means taking down a few enemies along the way, so be it. It’s all about family, vengeance, and, of course, a deep dive into the madness of their chaotic world.
Yet, what strikes me here is the absence of a real connection between the brothers. Sure, they’re all after the same thing, but there’s no real spark or tension that draws you into their mission. At times, they feel more like three strangers thrown together by fate than the tragic, cursed siblings the film tries to paint them as. Their journey lacks the emotional weight that would make you truly invest in their plight.
I found myself wishing the film had dug deeper into their past, showing us the hardships that molded them into the men they are today. Because, in its current form, we don’t get much more than surface-level understanding, leaving me yearning for more.
A symphony of violence and music
And then there’s the music. The film’s musical numbers are, quite frankly, a mixed bag. On one hand, the opening and closing songs are genuinely powerful, evoking a raw emotion that sticks with you.
But in between, you can’t shake the feeling that some of the musical interludes are just there to take up space. While they do bring a quirky flair to the story, they don’t always serve the plot in any significant way. It’s like a good song stuck in the middle of a playlist that’s a little too long—you don’t skip it, but you’re not exactly dancing to it either.
Still, there’s something about the fusion of music and violence that adds a quirky layer to the film. The violent confrontations between the brothers and their enemies are brutal, raw, and often, shockingly real. The fight scenes carry a weight that’s hard to ignore.
One particularly intense moment was so unsettling, that I found myself clutching the armrest, hoping it would end. Director Brandon McCormick does a fantastic job of not letting the violence feel over-the-top or cartoonish.
It’s gritty, unrelenting, and, in many ways, serves as the emotional backbone of the film.
The ‘Devil’ is in the details: Characters, story, and more
As much as I admire the ambition behind The Devil and the Daylong Brothers, the characters themselves could use a little more fleshing out. Needless to say, their shared history of damnation is tragic, but we don’t truly feel the weight of that curse, at least not in the way we should. The movie expects you to take their pain at face value, but it doesn’t give you enough time to understand why they’re so hell-bent on redemption.
The brothers’ personalities often blur together, making it difficult to differentiate between them. It’s as if the film puts style and spectacle ahead of character development, which is fine for an action-packed flick, but ultimately leaves you craving more substance.
Enter Frankie (Rainey Qualley), the lone female character. The film seems to want her to have an impact on the brothers’ journey, but she ends up feeling like an afterthought. She’s present, yes, but her role doesn’t add much beyond a few side quests. It’s a shame because, in a film that has a lot of promise, she could’ve been a more integral part of the story.
A film that dares to be different
What’s refreshing about The Devil and the Daylong Brothers is its willingness to take risks. We’ve all seen countless sequels and reboots that stick to the safe path, so seeing a movie that’s unapologetically unconventional is a breath of fresh air. It’s unafraid to mash up genres, defy expectations, and deliver something that feels both nostalgic and fresh. It’s a throwback to a time when filmmakers weren’t afraid to step off the beaten path. While it doesn’t always hit the bullseye, its daring spirit is something to be applauded.
I can’t help but think of the words of the great Bruce Springsteen, who once sang, “This is your time to shine.” The Devil and the Daylong Brothers might not have fully realized that moment, but it’s certainly trying to carve out its own path, and for that, it deserves a round of applause.
Is The Devil and the Daylong Brothers worth a watch?
Well, at the end of the day, The Devil and the Daylong Brothers is a film that flirts with greatness but never quite fully commits. It’s full of potential, brimming with bold choices and wild ideas, but the lack of character depth and occasional missteps in the musical numbers hold it back from becoming a true standout. Still, if you’re a fan of action, strange tales, and a little chaos, this movie might just be the wild ride you’re looking for.
As the brothers march onward in their pursuit of redemption, one thing is for sure: the Devil’s always in the details, and this film leaves you wondering just what could’ve been if those details were given a little more time to breathe.
The Devil and the Daylong Brothers will be available to watch on The Roku Channel from March 18, 2025.
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