Get all your news in one place.
100's of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Entertainment
Cath Clarke

The Devil Went Down to Islington review – likably daft teacher sells his soul

Possibly less mature than his pupils … Spencer Brown as John in The Devil Went Down to Islington
Possibly less mature than his pupils … Spencer Brown as John in The Devil Went Down to Islington. Photograph: Bulldog Film Distribution

There is something a bit exasperating about Daniel Wilson’s low budget comedy horror about a north London teacher who drunkenly sells his soul to the devil over a kebab. It’s a cheerful spoof that looks like everyone involved had lot of fun making. But in the end it feels too silly to be scary, with too few laughs to be properly funny. It also scores a grade F for its female characters.

That said, comedian Spencer Brown is likably daft as John, a failed indie guitarist who teaches music in a London school (he’s possibly less mature than most of his teenage pupils). John’s problems begin when his cat gets chomped by a recycling truck. Then he’s arrested for supplying class As to a pupil (in actual fact, it’s his mate, another teacher, who is buying cocaine from the girl, a dealer). On a bender after being suspended, John makes a pact with the devil: all his wishes coming true in return for his soul.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100's of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.