How Playing the Devil in THE SHIFT Brought Neal McDonough Closer to God
By Movieguide® Contributor
Neal McDonough explained why he took on the role of the devil in Angel Studios’ THE SHIFT and how it drew him closer to God.
“Well, it was interesting that when they called me and asked me if I wanted to play the devil in this movie called THE SHIFT, and I talked to them a bit about it, and I said, ‘You know what, I don’t think I could…’” McDonough told Crosswalk Talk. “I said, ‘No, it’s too close, I can’t do it.’ So, I went home and spoke to my wife, Ruve, and she’s like, ‘Okay, let’s talk about it. Let’s pray about it. Let’s see what’s going on.’”
“We talk more, and [Ruve] says, ‘Well, you’re probably the best villain in town whether you like it or not, and you’re probably the only guy who’s a great villain who also has a phenomenal relationship with God, so you kind of have to play this character,’” he continued. “I’m so grateful she put it that way because playing The Benefactor, the devil, was one of those characters that, you know, as a method actor, you really dig deep into who you are and where your mind can go. And to play a character where his mind goes in certain spots makes me feel so fortunate that I understand how blessed I am because of all the gifts that God’s given me.”
McDonough hopes audiences feel the same way watching his character as they relate to his flaws while understanding that they don’t have to follow the same path as him because they have a relationship with Christ.
“I turned the devil into a very human, flawed guy that makes you kind of care for him a little bit and understand why he is what he is,” McDonough explained. “Then, once he starts going off the rails, it makes you realize how fortunate I am to not be like that.”
“But you have to be careful because [the devil] is out there every day to take anything he can away from all of us if we don’t start to believe wholeheartedly that God loves us so much,” he continued. [However], the temptations can be greater the closer you get to God, and seeing films like this makes you realize that that’s what you’re supposed to do.”
“You’re supposed to get close to God and stay away from those temptations and I’m just blessed to be part of something like this,” he added.
“It’s films like THE SHIFT that make us realize that we shouldn’t take any of it for granted. It’s so fleeting. We’re here for such a short amount of time. Make your life remarkable. Be the greatest version of you possible,” he told the Christian Post.
McDonough’s portrayal of the devil is one of the aspects that helps the movie shine and causes audiences to think about their relationship with Christ throughout the movie. Part of Movieguide®’s review reads:
THE SHIFT is one of the most moving, inventive, compelling, and powerful faith-based movies ever made. The writing, acting and directing are superb. THE SHIFT has a strong Christian, moral worldview. It contains strong allegorical, overt and beautiful references to God, Scripture, the Resurrection, and the Empty Tomb. The hero prays and rebuffs the Devil. However, THE SHIFT has some action violence where people are shot and alcohol use. So, MOVIEGUIDE® advises caution for pre-teenage children.
Movieguide® previously reported:
Actor Neal McDonough accepted the role of the devil in upcoming film, THE SHIFT.
At first McDonough did not want to play the role of the devil, however his wife, Ruve McDonough, convinced him to play the part.
Neal McDonough told The Christian Post, “I’m so grateful that she convinced me to do it because when you play characters like this, you learn so much about yourself and how blessed I am to have His (God’s) backing in everything that I do, to have all the gifts that God’s given me in my life. My amazing wife, five kids, the movies and TV shows, everything!”
“We all at times have a very mean person in us, all of us; we’re all human,” he added. “There was only one person who was perfect, and everyone else has been trying. And the harder you try, the more the devil will tempt you with stuff.”
As McDonough portrayed his role of the devil, he began to reflect on his life.
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