Movies Like The Devil's Advocate

Frequently asked about The Devil's Advocate

Common questions people search for, with answers written by us at MoviesPack.

• Is John Milton literally the Devil, or is he a metaphor?▾

  John Milton is presented as the literal Devil — Satan incarnate — not merely a corrupt mentor figure. The film confirms this through his supernatural abilities: he appears in reflections of other people's faces, can manipulate fire, and is implied to have orchestrated Kevin's entire life as part of a long-term plan. His name is a direct allusion to John Milton, author of 'Paradise Lost,' the epic poem that gave Satan his most famous literary voice.

• Why does Milton want Kevin Lomax specifically, and what is his endgame?▾

  Milton reveals that Kevin is his son — born of a human woman Milton seduced — making Kevin a kind of Antichrist figure whose birth through legitimate means (without force or coercion) would represent Milton's greatest victory over free will. His endgame is for Kevin to father a child with his half-sister Christabella, producing a pure bloodline heir who would usher in a new satanic age. Milton explicitly states his plan is to win through choice, not compulsion, which is why he has spent Kevin's whole life cultivating his pride rather than simply controlling him.

• What causes Mary Ann's mental breakdown and death?▾

  Mary Ann is psychically and spiritually attacked by Milton's associates — the other wives at the firm, who are implied to be demonic or supernaturally connected to Milton — causing escalating hallucinations and paranoia. She sees monstrous, demonic faces on the women around her, experiences visions of her own body being violated, and ultimately loses her grip on reality entirely. Her breakdown is both a literal supernatural assault and a consequence of being transplanted into Milton's corrupted world, where she lacks Kevin's narcissistic armor and is therefore far more vulnerable.

• What does the ending mean — is it a reset, a dream, or a second chance?▾

  When Kevin shoots himself to stop Milton's plan, the film cuts back to the moment in the Florida courthouse where Kevin first faced the choice to throw his client's case. This is presented as a genuine second chance granted by Kevin's act of sacrifice, not a dream sequence. However, the final scene — where the reporter who offered Kevin fame shapeshifts to reveal Milton's face and delivers the line 'Vanity, definitely my favorite sin' — makes clear that the reset changes nothing: Satan is still present and Kevin's pride (his willingness to chase fame again) means he will likely fall into the same trap. The ending is a warning that free will must be exercised continuously, not just once.

• Why does Milton claim 'free will' is his greatest weapon?▾

  Milton's philosophy, spelled out in his climactic monologue, is that God set up rules and consequences but does nothing to stop humans from choosing evil — making God a 'sadist' and Milton an 'absentee father' by comparison. He argues that he never forces anyone to do anything; he simply creates temptation and lets human nature do the rest. This is why Kevin's uncoerced choice to sleep with Christabella and pursue power would be more meaningful to Milton than any direct command — it would prove that mankind freely chooses corruption, vindicating his rebellion against God.