Little Nicky: The Devil Wears Prada (But Only on Casual Fridays)
Imagine a world where the devil is not a suave, sinister figure, but rather an awkward, bumbling son who just wants to fit in. Welcome to Little Nicky, a film that takes the classic “good vs. evil” trope and flips it on its head, replacing the battle of wills with a battle of wits—or lack thereof.
After a staggering ten thousand years of ruling Hell, the devil (played by the ever-charismatic Harvey Keitel) decides it’s time to hang up his horns and retire. But before he can start his new life as a beach bum in Bali, his rebellious sons, Adrian and Cassius, decide to throw a tantrum worthy of a toddler whose ice cream just fell off the cone. Instead of taking their daddy issues to therapy, they opt to create their own personal hell in New York City, because, as we all know, nothing says “I’m a tortured soul” quite like choosing the Big Apple as your playground for chaos.
But wait! There’s a catch! In their bratty escapade, Adrian and Cassius seal the portal to Hell, leaving dear old Dad with dwindling powers and a serious case of the blues. Enter Nicky (Adam Sandler), the youngest and most socially awkward of the bunch, who has the charisma of a damp sponge. With the fate of Earth hanging in the balance—because who doesn’t love a little apocalyptic drama?—Nicky is sent on a quest to retrieve his brothers and restore order. Spoiler alert: things don’t go smoothly.
As Nicky navigates through the chaotic streets of New York, he begins to experience human emotions for the first time. Yes, folks, the devil’s spawn is learning about love, pain, and what it feels like to get your heart broken. Enter Valerie (Patricia Arquette), the only woman in the film who seems to have her life together. Nicky falls head over heels for her, but let’s be honest, it’s less “meet-cute” and more “meet-cringe.”
Now, while Nicky is busy trying to impress Valerie and keep his brothers from turning the city into an inferno (no, not the fun kind), we get treated to a series of hilarious misadventures. He battles a talking dog (yes, you read that right), has a run-in with a bunch of angry monks, and even manages to get his face stuck in a giant ice cream sundae—because what’s a good comedy without a bit of food-related slapstick?
Meanwhile, back in Hell, the devil is having his own crisis. He’s losing his powers, his sons are wreaking havoc, and he’s forced to confront the fact that maybe retirement isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. Who knew that ruling the underworld could come with such emotional baggage?
In a climactic showdown that involves a lot of shouting, some questionable CGI, and a heartwarming lesson about family, Nicky finally confronts his brothers. The resolution is as predictable as a sitcom plot twist, but it’s executed with enough charm to make you smile despite the eye-rolling.
In the end, Little Nicky is a film that’s equal parts ridiculous and endearing. It’s a satire on family dynamics, the struggle for acceptance, and the hilariously mundane trials of a demon trying to navigate the human world. So, if you’re in the mood for a film that’s as chaotic as a family reunion gone wrong, grab your favorite beverage and dive into this delightful mess. Just remember, in the battle between good and evil, sometimes it’s the awkward ones who steal the show.