THE DEVIL AND THE DAYLONG BROTHERS (2025)

Streaming on Tubi, Freevie, and Xumo Play from Quiver Distribution!
Directed by Brandon McCormick.
Written by Brandon McCormick, Nicholas Kirk.
Check out the trailer here!!

A trio of brothers Ishmael (Brendan Bradley), Enoch (Nican Robinson), and Abraham (Jordon Bolden), work for the devil’s henchman Clarence (Mark Ashworth) to track down souls that have escaped hell in hopes to earn enough credit to find their father Nehemiah (David Carradine) who sold their souls to the devil long ago in this Southern Gothic Musical Horror film.

A Southern Gothic Musical Horror film? I’ve never put that sentence together before and because of that is the first reason I recommend this unique film but it’s not the only one. One of the things I look for in a horror movie is something I haven’t seen before and THE DEVIL & THE DAYLONG BROTHERS truly is a unique one.

Now, I know there are those who hate musicals and I respect that, soulless heathens that you are. But as long as the music is good and meshes will with the story, I have been known to tap a toe and shed a tear at musicals. Well, this film will make you stomp your feet and holler out loud, because that’s what happened to me. The songs were surprisingly catchy and well done, given the smaller size and scope of the film. And they function like good musical numbers should, they highlight the inner monologues and shared themes of the story. No this isn’t like JOKER which basically has people burst into a trendy song that sometimes has something to do with the situation or sometimes is just a song that the singer likes. I don’t know where Brandon McCormick and Nicholas Kirk comes from, but I guarantee they are theater folk as this film feels like an expansive stage play come to life. Everyone knows about how Southerners like to sell their soul to the devil at the crossroads and I’ve actually seen some films, with music, that actually attempt to tell that story (like the under-seen classic CROSSROADS and of course, TENACIOUS D’S PICK OF DESTINY) but never has it played out as grungy and electrifying as it does with THE DEVIL AND THE DAYLONG BROTHERS.

It helps that the cast can sing like the dickens. All three of the leads, the titular Daylong Brothers, sing their hearts out as they go on this blood-soaked adventure to reclaim their souls. Each get their chance to express their inner souls with at least one song, making each of them unique and memorable. The trio also have distinct looks, wearing clothing that feels worn and individual. These filmmakers and actors have clearly put a lot of time in developing these characters and that work again, makes this a film like few others.

On top of the brothers, literally sometimes even, is Frankie played by Margaret Qualley’s sister Rainey. She plays a seductress and seeker of her own redemption and sports one hell of a voice. While the Brothers take center stage the entire film, Qualley does her best to steal every scene she is in with her scandalous beauty, devilish charm, and powerful singing voice.

And damn, David Carradine’s role is small, but does he get a scene that is some of the more powerful and soulful performances I’ve seen from the actor, since…well…ever.

As I said before, this film feels like an adapted stage play, which is fun, but if I have to criticize this one a bit, I’d say that more often than not, the actors playing the Daylong Brothers are playing for the cheap seats. They are supposed to be rambunctious brothers who get into scuffles and then forget about it five minutes later, but man are they a hyper trio, constantly threatening each other, getting into each other’s faces, and stomping around in anger. I get it. These guys most likely have theatrical training and need to project themselves all the way to the back of the theater, but subtle, is not how I would describe these guy’s acting style.

But that’s what makes this film so highly explosive. The Brothers are constantly on the run from Demons, Devils, and their own pasts. The bullets fly furiously and I love the way the filmmakers animate the bullets so we can see them streaming past the Brothers like mad fireflies. There is a pure creative energy pulsing through each and every scene. Seeing these filmmakers make such a vivid movie has made me a life-long fan and I can’t wait to see what they have planned next.

This is a movie that makes me nostalgic for the days of the music video, as THE DEVIL & THE DAYLONG BROTHERS plays like a series of videos from the same band that tell a distinct story. This is one hell of a good time. I’ve seen it twice and plan on sharing it with as many people as I can. It plays like a musical version of JUSTIFIED meets BRIMSTONE. Does anyone remember BRIMSTONE? Man, I loved that show. Gone too soon. That BRIMSTONE. Anyway, THE DEVIL & THE DAYLONG BROTHERS is just a unique gem of a film that exemplifies the creative potential of the horror medium. Crank up the volume and rock out to this mashup of Southern Fried gothic crime, soul selling horror, and tunes that will burrow into your brain.