'Devil on Campus: The Larry Ray Story' Review: Lifetime chiller will leave you looking over your shoulder
Warning: This article contains a recollection of crime and can be triggering to some, readers’ discretion advised
Contains spoilers for Lifetime's 'Devil on Campus: The Larry Ray Story'
WESTCHESTER COUNTRY, NEW YORK: In Lifetime’s chilling thriller 'Devil on Campus: The Larry Ray Story' based on true events, Larry Ray emerges as a manipulative figure who made the lives of his daughter’s friends hell at Sarah Lawrence College.
Set against a backdrop of supposed mentorship and guidance, the narrative unfolds with disturbing precision, capturing Ray’s insidious influence as he exploits vulnerabilities and manipulates perceptions.
The film delves into the psychological and emotional toll as Ray isolates his victims, severing their ties to family and reality while tightening his grip through emotional, financial, and sexual control. As the story unravels, Lifetime’s portrayal doesn’t shy away from the harrowing depths of Ray’s manipulation.
Lifetime's film portrayed the sinister actions of Larry Ray leaving a lasting impact
Lifetime's 'Devil on Campus: The Larry Ray Story' directed by Elisabeth Röhm delves into the harrowing true events surrounding Larry Ray's manipulation and exploitation of students at Sarah Lawrence College. Portraying a chilling narrative based on real-life accounts, the film meticulously chronicles Ray's descent into creating a cult-like atmosphere within his daughter's college dormitory.
Larry Ray appeared charismatic at first, but he used sneaky tricks to manipulate vulnerable young adults. He promised them things he couldn't deliver and messed with their minds to gain control. The movie shows how he slowly took away their ability to make their own decisions. He made them believe they had been through terrible things in their past, even when they hadn't, to cut them off from their families and the real world.
With a compelling portrayal of the psychological and emotional toll on the students by Ray, 'Devil on Campus: The Larry Ray Story' unflinchingly exposes the depths of his wrongdoings. It navigates the complexities of his manipulative tactics, including sexual abuse and exploitation, against a backdrop of educational trust and youthful naivety.
Overall, 'Devil on Campus: The Larry Ray Story' offers a decent exploration of power, manipulation, and the resilience of those who survived, shedding light on a disturbing chapter that ultimately led to justice for the victims and accountability for Larry Ray.
Billy Zane chillingly depicted Larry Ray's sinister and manipulative side
Billy Zane played Larry Ray in 'Devil on Campus: The Larry Ray Story' incredibly well. He showed how Ray could charm and deceive vulnerable young adults convincingly. Zane portrayed Ray as someone who could appear caring and supportive on the surface but was manipulating and abusing his victims behind the scenes.
Throughout the movie, Zane demonstrated how Ray used calculated tactics to groom his victims. He would promise them things that weren't true and exploit their weaknesses by making up stories about traumatic events. Zane's performance highlighted how Ray could control people psychologically, showing how damaging it was for the students caught up in his scheme.
Zane's acting added depth to the character by revealing both Ray's charm and his darker, sinister side. His portrayal made it clear how dangerous Ray was, especially in an educational environment where trust should be paramount.
'Devil on Campus: The Larry Ray Story' is available for streaming on Lifetime.