Netflix's Devil May Cry: A Stylish Start or Sinful Misfire?
Video game adaptations have been a sore spot for fans since the beginning. Thankfully, that stigma has mostly lifted with films such as the Sonic the Hedgehog movies or the new Mario movie, as well as TV shows like Fallout, The Last of Us, and Castlevania. Recently, Adi Shankar (the person behind the Castlevania Netflix series) released a new show based on another gothic action series: Devil May Cry.
I had a feeling from the moment the first trailer premiered that it would be divisive. The number of scenes featuring Dante fighting humans rather than demons, mixed with an early 2000s soundtrack featuring songs like Rollin by Limp Bizkit, I could smell the hate coming a mile away. Let’s talk about the series; the parts I liked, and the things I hope will improve in future seasons.
Action Mode?
With Devil May Cry, you'd expect a lot of… well, action. While it didn’t quite hit the highs of the game cutscenes, they came close. The assault on Dante’s apartment felt more like a “what if” scenario, like what if human mercenaries attacked him instead of demons like in DMC3’s intro?
Still, I also feel like the series found a good middle ground between staying faithful to the source material while trying new things. I find it slightly boring when an adaptation just copies 100% of the source as there should be a balance between the old and new, because if I know everything that’s going to happen, where’s the fun in that? Especially with a game series modern enough to have fully voiced and animated cutscenes.
SideNote: I loved how Dante used Agni and Rudra’s swords during the Last Resort chase scene.
I also appreciated that the series pulled from the DMC IP as a whole, not just the games. Like the diner scene in episode one featuring a few characters from the 2008 DMC anime, or the inclusion of White Rabbit from that canceled manga. Deep cuts like that show care.
The “SSSmokin’ Sexy Stylish” Soundtrack
I really enjoyed the soundtrack as there was a heavy emphasis on songs from the late ‘90s and early 2000s. As someone who grew up during that time, it was great to hear. That era is also when Devil May Cry first came to be and took much of its inspiration from that time, so that helped the vibe. Even when the show used more modern music, it featured the band Gunship, a synthwave band I’ve come to love.
Now, did all these songs fit? That’s debatable. One of the most controversial choices was Rollin, as the intro theme. I personally think Limp Bizkit’s hard-but-goofy sound fits Dante to a “T”, especially this younger version.
Side Note: The chase scene where Last Resort by Papa Roach played was great, especially since Dante was desperate to get his mother’s pendant back from the demons.
How could I also forget Evanescence debuting their new song Afterlife during one of the show’s most emotionally gripping scenes? Easily the most controversial music choice, though, was Green Day’s American Idiot, which plays near the end of the first season. While it's harder for me to defend, I felt it matched the over-the-top nature of that scene.
Right after Green Day, we get one of two instances where Bury the Light (Vergil’s battle theme from DMC5) plays during the cliffhanger. Devil Trigger (Nero’s theme from DMC5) plays when Dante activates his devil trigger for the first time, followed by Devils Never Cry from DMC3 which are the end credits theme. These are remixes and, honestly, they’re nowhere near as good as the originals.
Also, Devil Trigger is more associated with Nero than Dante and Bury the Light doesn’t become Vergil’s theme until much later. Still, it’s just nice to see video game adaptations becoming more confident in using the soundtracks from their source material. Especially since those three tracks are some of the best in the entire game series.
Appearances
While I don’t mind the art style, I do wish the show had a more gothic look. I definitely preferred the visual style of the 2008 DMC anime by Madhouse and the Castlevania Netflix series. When I heard the creator of Castlevania was doing DMC, I thought it was a match made in heaven, especially given that show’s gothic feel.
Dante - Devil May Cry Netflix
What we have here feels more like an R-rated '80s Saturday morning superhero cartoon. That’s not bad, but it’s a critique I get behind. From the tease we’ve seen for Season 2 in the Evanescence Afterlife music video, Dante seems to be getting a look closer to his DMC1 appearance. That game had the most gothic aesthetics in the series, so that gives me hope.
Lastly, I feel like Dante (and by extension, Vergil) need more screen time. While I don’t think it was as big of an issue as some people online claim, there were long stretches without a cocky dude in a trench coat slashing or shooting demons. And since we’re already talking about screen time and spotlight hoarding, let’s talk about Lady, because her portrayal has definitely stirred some emotions.
Lady - Devil May Cry - Netflix
One common critique is Lady’s constant use of colorful language. Considering it’s an R-rated show and Lady’s been through a lot, I can’t blame her for cursing like a sailor. Additionally, there was a major focus on her and the subplot with the demon refugees. And while Lady is a major DMC character, she shouldn’t get as much screen time as Dante.
As for the demon refugee subplot, I appreciate the attempt to expand on a major DMC theme: not all demons are evil, and not all humans are good, and I don’t mind a little politics. And while mocking America right now feels kind of cathartic, it’s not the reason why I watch Devil May Cry. The main focus should be the clashing and slashing and an eventual understanding between Dante and Vergil.
Vergil, Vergil, VERGIL!!!
Initially, I thought this would be a straight adaptation of DMC3, the first game chronologically. That would mean Dante’s twin brother, Vergil, would have a major role. Sadly, that wasn’t the case as he only made a few brief appearances.
It’s bad enough that Vergil constantly gets dangled like a carrot in the games before becoming playable. Now even in a TV series, they’re holding him off until later. Thankfully, the show is already confirmed for a Season 2, so we don’t have to worry about Netflix canceling it before Vergil gets to shine.
SideNote: Most people who know me, online or off, know I’m a huge Vergil fan. So of course, my number one hope is Vergil, Vergil, and Vergil.
Vergil - Devil May Cry - Netflix
Interestingly, Vergil in this show seems like a fusion of his DMC3 self and Nelo Angelo, the brainwashed form he took in DMC1. Some feel this ruins his character since Vergil would never willingly work for Mundus. But I think there’s context we’re missing. I’m hoping he’ll break free of Mundus’s control, and that his devil form evolves closer to his usual look without the Hey Arnold football-shaped head and all.
Final Thoughts
Overall, I think Season 1 of the Devil May Cry Netflix show was a solid start. It wasn’t perfect, but it showed love for the series. It tried new things and gave attention to parts of the franchise that haven’t gotten much love before, like White Rabbit or the relationship between Dante and Enzo.
For me, it’s rare for a first season to be my favorite. But with the little teases we’ve received for Season 2, I think fans may cry with joy in the future. It’s putting more eyes on the DMC series as a whole, and hopefully, that convinces Capcom to give us a new game more than once a decade.
