Netflix's latest original movie, The Devil All The Time, is certainly very dark within its tone and features plenty of characters with shady personalities and behaviors. The movie is clearly full of people that audiences are simply supposed to hate, but at the same time, there are just as many with redeeming qualities who can be nice and kind at points as well.
With each character having their own distinct ideas— and because the film dedicates so much time in the groundwork of them— it is easy for audiences to build connections to certain people within the movie. Those characters stand out and the likability of some ends up driving the entire movie.
Carl Henderson
There are many unlikeable characters within this movie, but the worst of them is Carl Henderson. He's a serial killer and that in itself makes him very easy to hate as a character. However, when you add in the disgusting manner that he kills his victims, and the photos he takes of his work, that is only amplified.
Carl also bullies his own wife to be involved in his sick hobby, continuing to push her to do things that she isn't comfortable with. It highlights the type of person that he is at his core, and that is certainly a very unlikeable one.
Reverend Preston Teagardin
It would be very easy to have Reverend Preston Teagardin (who is played excellently by Robert Pattinson) be the least likeable character in the entire movie. But sharing the film with a murdering psychopath like Carl Henderson is the one thing that keeps Preston from that distinction. However, that doesn't excuse his actions, and he's still a plenty despicable character.
The way he prays on young girls who buy into his beliefs and statements is vile, and even the way he treats others who attend his church is enough to make people dislike this character. He doesn't believe he is doing any wrong, which is what makes him even less likeable throughout the film.
Roy Laferty
Roy Laferty is consumed by God and because of his supposed connection, he makes some major mistakes. It's clear from the first time he appears in the film that Roy isn't quite right and as things progress that becomes even clearer.
While it's commendable that he doesn't want to sleep with Sandy, by the time that moment comes, he has already proven himself to be quite unlikeable. The fact he murders his wife due to "messages" from God and his belief in resurrection makes him impossible to like, even if there is a sense that many of his actions stem from mental illness.
Sheriff Lee Bodecker
Lee Bodecker technically should be a very likeable person due to the job that he has, as typically people in this line of work are always wanting to help others. But the fact is, Lee is all about helping himself, and he uses his job to his own benefits.
He doesn't tend to treat people fairly and that does make him rather unlikeable overall. It's clear he doesn't really care about his job and he is very corrupt, making deals to help himself out, which isn't how any good Sheriff should operate.
Helen Laferty
Helen Laferty gets the least amount of time to really develop her own personality out of all the main characters within the film. However, from the glimpses that are shown it is clear she's a nice enough person who just wants to have a happy life with her family.
Helen clearly wants to make others happy, whether that be her husband, God, or others at her church. That trait instantly makes her a likeable person and it makes her death very emotional, as it's clear she wants to be a great mother.
Sandy Henderson
While her brother might technically do more good than her due to his job, it is actually Sandy Henderson who is the more likeable person. She knows what she does with Carl is despicable but she at least owns her problems and tries to get out of it.
The same cannot be said for her brother, who wraps himself up in a world of problems that results in him killing people. Sandy is stuck in a very difficult relationship which she clearly doesn't want to be in, and it is very easy for people to have sympathy with her because of that.
Willard Russell
Sure, there are moments where Willard Russell is very unlikeable, with the way he forces his son to pray and the fact he murders the family dog. But, when you breakdown why he makes those decisions, it is all down to the desperation to keep his wife alive.
He is willing to do literally anything to keep her from dying and that is certainly a commendable trait. Prior to her cancer diagnosis, Willard proves himself to be a loving husband and a caring father, and that is what sets him up to be a likeable person overall.
Lenora Laferty
Lenora Laferty grows up in very tough circumstances due to the actions of her father, and the fact there is no clear answer about where he is, really causes upset for her. She's searching for answers and uses religion as her tool to try and find those answers.
She's quite naïve about the way of the world, and she is taken advantage of due to that fact, both by school bullies and the Reverend. Her story comes to an end in a very tragic manner, and because she's so innocent and likeable, her death is even more upsetting.
Emma Russell
Emma Russell is simply a very kind woman who just wants to help as much as she can. She welcomes people with open arms, which she sees as her duty to God and the fact she basically becomes a mother to both Arvin and Lenora showcases how nice she is.
Emma is desperate to impress Reverend Preston with her cooking when he arrives and the way she's treated breaks her heart. However, the seriousness behind the cooking showcases once again her desire to please people, which makes her such a likeable character.
Arvin Russell
Arvin Russell is the lead character of this ensemble cast, and he is certainly the most likeable of the bunch. While he does commit several murders, he only kills people when he absolutely has to, unlike other murderers in the movie who do it for kicks.
He grows up in very difficult circumstances which makes him easy to like straight away as audiences just want to see him in a happier environment. He's a protective brother who will do anything for his stepsister, and his loyalty and determination just make him a fantastic character.