There is always a murky idea of reviewing something after controversy comes about the very thing you’re reviewing. So to get it out of the way entirely, Late Night with the Devil was finished and played the festival circuit prior to the strike – which mostly occurred over the use of AI and ensuring fare wages – so while the directors confirmed they played around with AI for mere seconds of footage in the movie (though reports also indicate AI created the backdrop of set?) I will be reviewing the film fairly and without bias due to the use of AI. This is mostly due to the fact that were talking about a small independent horror film that after a wildly successful festival run is getting a short theatrical release prior to a streaming platform exclusive, and because the AI was used for art purposes and not performance or script based in any way shape or form – should it have not been used period, absolutely, does it diminish from the film, no. So is Late Night with the Devil the horror movie that audiences have been waiting for this year, the short answer is whole heartedly yes.
The movie starts off with this documentary style lead up giving the audience background information on our leading man Jack Delroy (David Dastmalchian) and the events of what has lead to this broadcast of the Night Owls television broadcast. It informs the audience that aside from the broadcast there will be ‘new’ behind the scenes footage giving audiences a full look into what happened on this Halloween night in 1977. Then the audience gets the title card, ‘Late Night with the Devil’ and we start to see the faux broadcast as Delroy is doing everything he can to ensure he stays on the air after sweeps. He brings on Carmichael Haig (Ian Bliss) whose a sceptic of possessions and the sorts, despite being a former believer – this seems like a ploy to discredit his next guests Lilly (Ingrid Torelli) who has a demon living inside her and her caregiver and medium June (Laura Gordon) but things are not always as they seem, and things take an unexpected turn and end up being something more terrifying than previously predicted.
The movie that is written and directed by Colin and Cameron Caimes, relies heavily on their cast to deliver their utmost best to carry the disturbing and unabashed faux documentary style film to the acclaim it has rightfully already received. Casting David Dastmalchian who typically is in the supporting roles as their main lead was a gamble, but one that paid off in tenfold as his portray of Jack Delroy is nothing short of sublime and truly brilliant. Ian Bliss who plays the skeptic who claims to be friends with Warrens is excellent as well, but it is Ingrid Torelli whio in the supporting role steals the spotlight when she’s possessed and gives everyone a run for their money. This truly is an ensemble piece and everyone brings 110% making the final product truly a masterpiece that would even give the devil chills.
Late Night with the Devil is one of the best horror movies in recent years, providing Dastmalchian a leading man turn that people who know his work in supporting roles knew he was able to produce for years. While presenting itself as this faux documentary it gives audiences a thicker layer of horror to sink their teeth into as it does present itself almost as a real telling of a true broadcast. However, with the cast delivering their all and the Caimes delivering both brilliant execution in script and direction, Late Night with the Devil is one of the best movies to come out in 2024 thus far, in the horror genre or otherwise.
