Late-night talk shows are all the same these days, no one ever gets creative with it anymore, not like they used to in the ’70s, like that one show…Night Owls I think it was called, Whatever happened to that show? Late Night With The Devil puts a whole new spin on the found-footage technique. Led by David Dastmalchian who offers a chillingly charismatic performance as TV personality Jack Delroy. What ensues is a chaotic and suspense-filled story wrapped up in a ’70s aesthetic bow.
Caution! AI!
It is disappointing to see but unfortunately not all that uncommon these days but Late Night With the Devil contains AI-generated elements throughout the film. It isn’t the most egregious use of the lousy cost-cutting measure but it does certainly stick out like a sore thumb. Throughout the film when they cut to commercials throughout the fictional broadcast, artwork is displayed with the talk show logo and AI-generated art is used in these promos. It is important to remember that no actual skill or talent goes into AI art, it merely steals techniques of talented artists and combines them to produce uninspired slop. The following review will be under the assumption that the AI elements stop there.
One Last Chance
Jack Delroy is putting it all on the line here with one final show before the network decides to renew the talk show or send it to an early grave. In order to make this happen, Delroy is willing to go to lengths so far, they may just dance the line of supernatural. Dastmalchian does a great job playing this desperate fool who won’t let anything go wrong on his show, but events soon prove that what transpires next may just not be in his control.
David Dastmalchian has always been relegated to the weirdos and the outcasts in his roles, playing the black sheep of the group but here he’s given the chance to be the big man on campus. Dastmalchian juggles the stress of holding the world together while putting on a brave face for his live studio audience.
One Groovy Movie
The story, as mentioned above, is simple yet effective. Its talk show setting is paced quite well and really hooks you in with the gimmick Its retro aesthetic is done quite well, although hopefully not inspired via AI generations. It is incredibly unique and accurate to its times.
The film opens with a black and white opening montage that sets you within the ’70s, which the film reminds was a “time of unrest and mistrust” within the nation. We see flashes of civil unrest and protests, scenes from the Vietnam War, reminders of the worst serial killers to haunt the country and the beginning of the satanic panic movement and how the USA had a front seat look at it all from their living rooms. However, it quickly shifts, saying that television also offers “comfort” fixating it as an escape for people to ignore what’s going on in the world.
Best When Unbound
The film is at its best when the devil is set free, when the demon rears its ugly head and brings forth a wave of unimaginable chaos and torment for those in attendance. The film features some fantastic practical effects, specifically one instance that involves worms, which will make your skin crawl in ways you never thought possible. The film however also manages to undercut itself, immediately offering an explanation for things instead of allowing the audience to come to a conclusion on their own, based on hints given throughout the film.
Continuing on what works best, it’s when you feel as if the audience and Jack himself are being punished for their pursuit of mindless distractions that the scares are most effective. Working best as a social commentary on those who turn a blind eye to what’s going on around the world, and also those who seek to exploit it.
‘Late Night With The Devil’ – Final Thoughts
Late Night With The Devil offers up a delightfully unique atmosphere with some great practical effects, although its use of AI-generated materials affects its integrity as a film somewhat, it still manages to presumably do enough on its own. David Dastmalchian gives a fantastic performance, shedding the shell of a black sheep and becoming a prized pig.
Late Night With The Devil is now streaming on Shudder. Check out a trailer below:
The Review
Late Night With The Devil
Late Night With The Devil offers up a delightfully unique atmosphere with some great practical effects, although its use of AI-generated materials affects its integrity as a film somewhat, it still manages to presumably do enough on its own. David Dastmalchian gives a fantastic performance, shedding the shell of a black sheep and becoming a prized pig.