Play the Devil (2016) is a Caribbean drama set in Trinidad, following the life of Gregory, a bright yet troubled young man living in a conservative rural community. Struggling with family pressures and societal expectations, he finds himself drawn into a complex and dangerous relationship with James, a wealthy and powerful older man.
Gregory, an aspiring photographer, dreams of escaping his small-town life but feels trapped by his responsibilities and a lack of opportunities. James, charismatic and influential, offers him a glimpse into a more luxurious and seemingly freer world. However, as their relationship deepens, it becomes clear that Jamesโ intentions are not entirely selfless.
As Gregory wrestles with his emotions and the weight of his communityโs judgment, tensions escalate. The filmโs backdropโthe islandโs traditional Jab Jab festival, where masked revelers symbolically play the devilโmirrors Gregoryโs own struggle with identity, agency, and the forces seeking to control him.
Caught between personal desires and societal expectations, Gregory faces an emotional and psychological battle that leads to devastating consequences. The filmโs themes of power, manipulation, and repressed identity unfold in an atmospheric and visually striking narrative.
Play the Devil is a haunting exploration of desire, class disparity, and the suffocating weight of expectation, offering a powerful and tragic portrait of a young man fighting to define his own path in a world that refuses to let him be free.
