Running with the Devil is a 2019 crime thriller film directed by Jason Cabell and starring Nicolas Cage, Laurence Fishburne, and Barry Pepper. The film explores the inner workings of the international drug trade, tracing the journey of a shipment of cocaine from its origin in South America all the way to its distribution in the United States.
When a large shipment of cocaine is compromised, a drug cartel’s boss becomes suspicious of corruption or theft somewhere along the supply chain. To uncover the truth and restore order, he dispatches his trusted lieutenant, known only as “The Cook” (played by Nicolas Cage), to oversee the entire operation and ensure the drugs make it safely to their destination.
Along the route, we meet a wide range of characters who play roles in the drug’s journey—farmers, mules, cartel enforcers, middlemen, and corrupt officials. One of the central characters is “The Man” (played by Laurence Fishburne), a violent and unpredictable figure who indulges in the product and often disrupts the system with his impulsiveness.
Meanwhile, a determined federal agent (Leslie Bibb) is tracking the operation, trying to bring the entire network down. The story unfolds in a non-linear, multi-perspective style, showing how different players are affected by—and complicit in—the drug trade.
- The film presents a gritty, realistic look at the global drug trade, avoiding glamorization.
- It focuses on the chain of supply and how greed, addiction, and betrayal influence each step.
- The pacing is methodical and the tone is dark, with minimal dialogue and a focus on atmosphere and tension.
Reception:
Running with the Devil received mixed-to-negative reviews. While some praised its raw depiction of the drug trade and the performances (especially by Cage and Fishburne), others found the narrative disjointed and the pacing slow. It’s considered more of a niche thriller than a mainstream action film.
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