I Trapped the Devil Ending Explained, What Happen to Matt and Karen?
by A Maria
Updated Apr 17, 2023
I Trapped the Devil
"I Trapped the Devil" is a horror movie from the United States, released in 2019, which tells a supernatural story. The film was directed by Josh Lobo, who made his feature film directorial debut with this project, and he also wrote the screenplay and produced and edited it. The cast includes actors such as A.J. Bowen, Scott Poythress, Susan Theresa Burke, Jocelin Donahue, and Chris Sullivan.
"I Trapped the Devil" premiered at the Imagine Film Festival on April 12, 2019, and was later released by IFC Midnight in theaters across the United States and through various video-on-demand platforms on April 26, 2019.
I Trapped the Devil ending explained
Despite having limited material to work with, A.J. Bowen, who portrays the character of Matt, manages to bring a lot of depth to the role. In the hands of a less skilled actor, Matt's character could have been one-dimensional and uninteresting. However, Bowen's portrayal of the character, which is marked by a lack of urgency and a clear affection for his brother, creates an atmosphere that is both surreal and strangely captivating.
As Matt and Karen begin to experience a growing sense of fear, rather than reacting with alarm, they strangely become complacent about their possible abduction. In one scene, even when faced with an armed assailant and a source of evil beneath them, they choose to take a nap. These moments of absurdity add to the overall effectiveness of the movie.
Despite being stressed, tired, and determined to help Steve, it is oddly understandable why they would take a nap. As a viewer, you get absorbed in the gloomy ambiance of the house, and can't help but yell at the characters to escape!
Cast of I Trapped the Evil
A. J. Bowen
Matt
Scott Poythress
Steve
Susan Theresa Burke
Karen
Jocelin Donahue
Sarah
Chris Sullivan
The Man
Rowan Russell
Ben
John Marrott
Alan
Jack Vernon
Santa
Victoria Smith
Her
CAST
CHARACTER
Synopsis of I Trapped the Evil
At the start of the film, a married couple named Matt and Karen show up unannounced at a family member's house on Christmas night, reminiscent of the Twilight Zone episode "The Changing of the Guard." Steve, the caretaker of his parents' home since a family tragedy, initially tries to turn them away, much like the monks in the aforementioned episode.
However, the couple is there to see Matt's estranged brother, Steve, and soon learns of his strange behavior. He claims to have trapped the Devil in the basement, which puts both Matt and Karen on edge.
Sparse dialogue and a cluttered setting create an unsettling atmosphere that permeates every scene. The house is filled with an excess of items, and traditional Christmas lights take on a garish quality. The only well-lit area is the attic, which only adds to the creepiness.
A television from the 1980s sitting on milk crates flickers on, showing images of a mysterious woman, and a ringing phone adds to the ominousness. The tension is palpable, and the audience is left to imagine the worst, fueling their paranoia.
Scott Poythress delivers a phenomenal performance as Steve, his nervous energy intoxicating both the on-screen characters and the audience. As he reveals his war room filled with unrelated newspaper clippings, the audience is on edge, looking over their shoulder along with him.
The familial relationship between the brothers is well-defined and believable, even with the undercurrents of frustration and love. Ultimately, whether Steve has truly captured the Devil or has become unhinged is left ambiguous until the end, adding to the film's overall sense of dread.
About I Trapped the Devil
Directed by
Josh Lobo
Written by
Josh Lobo
Produced by
Starring
Cinematography
Bryce Holden
Edited by
Josh Lobo
Music by
Ben Lovett
Production
company
Yellow Veil Pictures
Distributed by
IFC Midnight
Running time
82 minutes
Country
United States
Language
English
SPECIFICATIONS
DETAILS
I Trapped the Devil ending explained - FAQs
"I Trapped the Devil" is a horror movie that tells a supernatural story about a married couple who visit a family member's house on Christmas and discover that he has trapped the Devil in a room in the basement. The film explores their interactions with this family member, as well as their growing fear and paranoia as they confront the possibility of supernatural forces at work.
"I Trapped the Devil" was directed by Josh Lobo, who also wrote the screenplay and produced and edited the film. This was Lobo's feature film directorial debut.
The cast of "I Trapped the Devil" includes actors such as A.J. Bowen, Scott Poythress, Susan Theresa Burke, Jocelin Donahue, and Chris Sullivan. Bowen plays Matt, the main character, while Poythress plays his brother Steve, who claims to have trapped the Devil.
"I Trapped the Devil" premiered at the Imagine Film Festival on April 12, 2019. It was later released in theaters across the United States and through various video-on-demand platforms on April 26, 2019, by IFC Midnight.
Opinions on the quality of "I Trapped the Devil" are mixed. Some horror fans have praised the film's atmospheric tension and slow-burn storytelling, while others have criticized it for being too slow-paced and lacking in scares. Ultimately, whether or not someone finds "I Trapped the Devil" to be a good horror movie will depend on their personal taste in horror films.