Earlier this year, teasers of a late-night television show from the ’70s started circulating on social media. Mystery surrounded this announcement and its connection to a supposed live exorcism. In true horror marketing fashion, this was an alleged “real” event, and Late Night with the Devil quickly became one of my most anticipated horror films of the first half of 2024.
Growing up in the ’80s and ’90s, I was a big fan of late-night television, especially Late Night with David Letterman. The highlight of my week was watching the “Late Show Top Ten List.” Staying up that late felt like a thrill, almost like I was getting away with something sinister. Late Night with the Devil has the visual charm of a late-night show combined with ’70s aesthetics, making it look like an actual program.
But there is more to it than that.
Similar to the British mockumentary Ghostwatch (1992), if this movie had aired on television in the 1970s, viewers might have been inclined to believe it was authentic. Ghostwatch was an incredible phenomenon because it debuted on BBC One television on Halloween night, resulting in more than one million phone calls to the station. The calls comprised a combination of grievances and commendations, with most individuals perceiving it as an actual paranormal occurrence.
Such an event might have been conceivable in 1992, but not so much in 2024.
Late Night with the Devil earned $15.4 million at the box office, making it the best opening weekend for an IFC Films release. While I would have liked to see it in theaters, the content translates effectively to the small screen, aligning with the typical late-night television viewing experience: from your couch!
Late Night with the Devil is a film that combines found footage and documentary filmmaking. The movie features David Dastmalchian as Jack Delroy, a late-night television host who plans to improve ratings by hosting an occult-themed Halloween episode in 1977. The beginning of the film introduces Jack and provides some background information about him, including the death of his wife, Madeline, from cancer.
I want you to know that attention to this opening segment is essential, as it presents information crucial to the movie’s plot. And let’s not forget that this is set during a time in American history when the “Satanic panic” was at its peak, adding another layer of tension to the show’s audience and creating a nervous atmosphere.
The film is presented in color during the filming of Night Owls with Jack Delroy. However, the movie shifts to black and white when the program transitions to a commercial break and shows us the behind-the-scenes footage. I love the use of color here to differentiate between what is seen on TV and what we, as movie viewers, see. Jack has several guests on the show, including a medium named Christou, a skeptic named Carmichael Haig and an author named June Ross-Mitchell.
June is doing a study on a young girl named Lilly, who was the sole survivor of a mass suicide by a Satanic church. Lilly says a demon inside her is called “Mr. Wriggles,” reminiscent of The Exorcist’s “Captain Howdy,” and the story escalates from there.
David Dastmalchian delivers an exceptional portrayal as Jack Delroy, exhibiting superb talent as a late-night host. This film will be in my Top 5 of the year because Dastmalchian is so convincing in his role that I wish he had his own late-night show. I was unfamiliar with his work before this movie, but he has appeared in The Dark Knight, Dune and Oppenheimer, to name a few.
He’s had quite the career so far!
I love the set design, the ’70s colors and fashion, and the full band, similar to David Letterman or Johnny Carson. The grainy footage and campy demeanor of the host and guests are perfect representations of shows in the ’70s. The visuals are also impressive, although some received criticism the week before the film was released. Directors Cameron and Colin Cairnes were transparent about using AI-generated images for three brief interstitials.
Some people wanted to boycott the movie over this, but the explanation from the cast and crew helped to avoid any issues, and the images happen so quickly that it’s a minor part of the overall film.
The film effectively combines practical effects and CGI, evoking the style of early horror films. The dynamic, practical effects contribute to the campy essence of the film, a quality that I appreciate because I am a big fan of ’80s horror films and B-rated horror specifically. Not that these effects are deficient in any way, but it’s the over-the-top gore that simultaneously makes you laugh and cringe. My favorite!
The third act is particularly wild in how everything unfolds, making the entire screen time worth waiting.
Another exciting aspect of this film is the use of ghostly images in the background. Similar to Mike Flanagan’s Haunting of Hill House, there are glimpses of a ghost lurking in the background or reflected in a mirror. You have to look for these “Hidden Mickeys” or, in my case, something I noticed more in my second viewing. Finding them can be rewarding, but also downright scary.
It is best to be patient with this film, because it does start slowly. Small developments move the story forward, and I assure you, the third act is worth the wait. I’ve come to appreciate slow-burn movies because of their ability to surprise or shock me in the end. Although this movie may start slowly, it’s hard not to get into the atmosphere.
It’s full of Halloween vibes, and I’d even recommend having it on in the background during a Halloween party!
Although there have been mixed reviews of Late Night with the Devil, I must admit that I enjoyed it much more when I watched it for the second time. In fact, I enjoyed it so much that it’s currently in my Top 3 Horror Movies of the Year, so far! I highly recommend this movie, especially for fans of Ghostwatch and WNUF Halloween Special. If you haven’t seen either, please add them to your Halloween watchlist! There is still plenty of time to soak up the spooky season.
Four out of five stars!