The Devil Never Sleeps
El diablo nunca duerme
Synopsis
The Devil Never Sleeps is a “whodunit” documentary about family secrets. Filmmaker Lourdes Portillo received a phone call informing her of the mysterious death of her wealthy Mexican uncle Oscar. Officially ruled a suicide, Portillo’s relatives claimed murder, offering several possible suspects including a business partner, a ranch hand, and Oscar’s young widow who stood to inherit everything. Traveling to Mexico, Portillo attempts to learn the truth about her powerful uncle. Using interviews, old snapshots and home movies, she finds a complicated web of family secrets, intrigue, rumor and betrayal that makes her enigmatic uncle’s murder seem ever more likely, yet ever more obscure. As the Mexican saying goes, “When evil is lurking, the devil never sleeps.”
Key Information & Fast Facts
- Director
- Lourdes Portillo
- Original Title
- El diablo nunca duerme
- Country of Origin
- Mexico, United States of America
- Spoken Languages
- English, Spanish
- Runtime
- 1h 22m
Creative Leadership & Key Crew
Lourdes Portillo
Department Leadership Roster
Lourdes Portillo
Director
Production Stills & Gallery
Official cinematic photography and background stills for The Devil Never Sleeps.
Featured In Curated Collections
Editorial lists, community rankings, and cinematic collections featuring The Devil Never Sleeps.
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National Film Registry
Films preserved in the Library of Congress National Film Registry.
National Film Register 2010-2023
Movies on the National Film Register, added in the years of 2010-2023
True Crime Documentary Series & Film
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Frequently Asked Questions About The Devil Never Sleeps
Quick factual answers about cast, synopsis, director, box office, and release information.
What is The Devil Never Sleeps about?
The Devil Never Sleeps is a “whodunit” documentary about family secrets. Filmmaker Lourdes Portillo received a phone call informing her of the mysterious death of her wealthy Mexican uncle Oscar. Officially ruled a suicide, Portillo’s relatives claimed murder, offering several possible suspects including a business partner, a ranch hand, and Oscar’s young widow who stood to inherit everything. Traveling to Mexico, Portillo attempts to learn the truth about her powerful uncle. Using interviews, old snapshots and home movies, she finds a complicated web of family secrets, intrigue, rumor and betrayal that makes her enigmatic uncle’s murder seem ever more likely, yet ever more obscure. As the Mexican saying goes, “When evil is lurking, the devil never sleeps.”
Who directed The Devil Never Sleeps?
The Devil Never Sleeps was directed by Lourdes Portillo.
Who stars in The Devil Never Sleeps?
The principal cast of The Devil Never Sleeps includes Not specified.
When was The Devil Never Sleeps released and how long is it?
The Devil Never Sleeps was released in 1994 with a total runtime of 1h 22m.