The concept of metaphor
All the people complaining that they think one or another aspect of this film is unrealistic are completely missing the point. It's a highly stylized film. It's NOT meant to be some kind of documentary representation of something that would really happen.
Cady is a devil, or vengeful spirit, or agent of god, or whatever - the point isn't whether a man in his situation would really do these things. The point was that Nolte's character broke faith with the law, and with his family - and he has to be made to come to terms with that. It's a story about faith. Cady says repeatedly that in a way he's there to help, that he's essentially an agent for Notle's character to learn.
It's a story about a man who's strength of character and resolve are put to the test. A man who loses everything and is reduced to an animal state, without the protection of conventions or convenience. It asks him whether he's any different from the savage brute. If he's a man who believes in anything, represents anything, who's life means anything.
Didn't any of you notice that Cady points him to the book of Job? Do you think there's nothing going on in a movie except the plot unfolding? If you can't understand that some things are intended as metaphorical representations, then don't even try watching movies. They're beyond your grasp.