Watch The Devil and Daniel Johnston

The Devil and Daniel Johnston is a deeply moving documentary that tells the powerful story of an artist plagued by mental illness but who refused to let it define him. The film follows the life of Daniel Johnston, a singer-songwriter and original artist who achieved underground fame in the 1980s and 90s for his unique, startlingly intimate songs.

The film opens with interviews with Johnston's parents and siblings, who describe his upbringing in a small town in Texas. From an early age, it was clear that Johnston was a talented artist and musician, but he struggled with manic depression and schizophrenia that sometimes made him violent or delusional. Throughout the film, we see Johnston's art and hear his music, which is raw, pure, and deeply emotional - a reflection of his own inner life.

The documentary also features interviews with some of Johnston's closest friends, who describe his early days playing music and his rise to fame in the Austin music scene. Johnston's songs are incredibly heartfelt and raw, often exploring themes of love, loss, redemption, and faith. His music is deeply personal, and his willingness to share his own struggles with mental illness made him a figurehead for others who were suffering.

Despite his talent, fame, and the support of people who loved him, Johnston's mental illness continued to take a toll on his life. In one of the most heart-wrenching moments of the film, Johnston has a full-blown manic episode while on tour in Europe, and ends up being arrested and hospitalized. It's clear that despite his incredible talent, his illness was a constant and often consuming presence in his life.

Director Jeff Feuerzeig beautifully captures Johnston's exceptional humanity and creativity, as well as his pain and struggle. Instead of romanticizing Johnston's illness, the film is honest about the difficulties he experienced and the toll it took not just on him, but on his family and loved ones. However, it is also a celebration of Johnston's music and his spirit. He refused to let his illness define him, and his art continues to inspire and move people around the world.

The Devil and Daniel Johnston is a humbling, emotional exploration of a truly unique artist and the struggles he faced. It is a testament to the power of art and creativity, and an affirmation of the human spirit in the face of incredible adversity. Fans of Johnston's music will not be disappointed, and even those who are unfamiliar with his work will be moved by his story.

The Devil and Daniel Johnston is a 2005 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 50 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.9 and a MetaScore of 77.