The Devil and Daniel Johnston
User Score
9.1 out of 10

Universal acclaim- based on 14 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 13 out of 14
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 14
  3. Negative: 0 out of 14

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  1. Walt
    Apr 10, 2006
    10
    As a music junkie that has a bunch of his albums, I had an inkling of the crazy genius that is Daniel Johnston, but I wanted to find out more. This wonderful documentary exposes the lighter side and vastly darker side of Daniel Johnston. It is exceptionally well paced (except for the last 5 or 10 minutes that drag a bit), and very informative. Daniel Johnston is exposed through personal audio and video footage he and others took of him, pieces of his live performances, and interviews with his parents, friends, family and other musicians that know him. This is a wonderful and scary look at this cult music figure. The movie lays it all out there for you to see just who Daniel Johnston is. I drove 3 1/2 hours to NYC, and 3 1/2 hours back just to see this movie, and it was well worth the trip.… Expand
  2. Zorro
    Jun 10, 2011
    10
    I actually think Daniel Johnston was mis-diagnosed. I think he is on the autistic spectrum and originally had aspergers, but lack of understanding of his condition due to mis-diagnosis, accompanied by his drug use made his condition worse. He is totally a genius in what he was interested in, as are most people with aspergers.

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
77 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 33 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 31 out of 33
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 33
  3. Negative: 0 out of 33
  1. Boston Globe
    Reviewed by: Ty Burr
    75
    Jeff Feuerzeig's film is as good a portrait of the artist as a beloved basket case as you'll see, but it's kept from greatness by the questions it refuses to ask itself.
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  2. San Francisco Chronicle
    Reviewed by: Joel Selvin
    100
    A one-of-a-kind cinematic experience. This musician may not be a genius along the lines of Brain Wilson, as Feuerzeig claims, but Johnston has a knack for revealing innermost thoughts in an offhand way that is eerie and uncanny.
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  3. Chicago Tribune
    Reviewed by: Allison Benedikt
    88
    With humor, honesty and awe, Feuerzeig's portrait may love Daniel Johnston, but it won't give his parents much hope.
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