It’s difficult enough to battle competing late-night talk shows for ratings, let alone fighting off evil forces. However, this is what happens to Jack Delroy in Late Night With The Devil, a found-footage horror film starring David Dastmalchian. It’s a perfect blend of dark comedy and horror.
In Late Night With The Devil, Delray and his staff host a special Halloween episode of his late-night tv show Night Owls. His plan to host a number of guests with special abilities to talk to the beyond and speak to dark forces, but it doesn’t go as planned. If the film stopped with his first few guests, we would all laugh at the darkly humorous nature of the film, but things get worse before they get better.
While the entire cast was extremely entertaining to watch, Dastmalchian delivers a standout performance as Jack Delray, a late-night host struggling to keep his show afloat following the death of his wife. David has a vast belt of tools in his arsenal, but his portrayal of a man teetering on the edge of sanity is both chilling and captivating. As the show progresses, he delves deeper into the occult in attempt to boost his ratings and things start to take a turn. The viewers are taken on a journey that is both terrifying and grotesque.
Late Night With The Devil is shot in a found-footage style that adds to the eerie atmosphere. The experience allows you to almost believe this truly the events actually happened in the 1970s. Some of these style films rely solely on jump scares and the shaking of the camera to give you chills, the acting and visuals do all the work in this film. The blending of found-footage and dark comedy are done seamlessly. While we were somewhat skeptical of another possession horror film, Late Night With The Devil manages to bring something fresh and exciting to the screen.
The ability to recapture the essence of 1970s late-night television is a bonus. From the cheesy sets to the over-the-top characters, every detail feels authentic and adds to the found-footage experience. Both horror fans and those fans of late-night television should be able to enjoy the film, although more likely horror fans will enjoy it far more.
The film takes a moment to build momentum, the wait is worth it. The slow burn approach allows for tension to build, leading to an explosive final few moments. Late Night With The Devil is an absolutely must-watch film. Standout performances, clever writing, and an eerie atmosphere, this film delivers on all fronts.
Late Night With The Devil was written, directed and edited by Cameron Cairnes and Colin Cairnes, and starring David Dastmalchian, Laura Gordon, Ian Bliss, Fayssal Bazzi, Ingrid Torelli, Rhys Auteri, Georgina Haig, and Josh Quong Tart.
Late Night With The Devil hit theaters on March 22, 2024 and is available on Shudder.
