Late Night with the Devil
Late Night with the Devil proves we secretly love when live TV goes wrong, watching the truth unfold and people squirm under pressure. Except this time, you’ll probably be the ones squirming. Enjoy the show.
If Jordan Peele’s Nope taught us anything, it’s that live TV doesn’t always go to plan. Things can go horribly, horribly wrong. And whilst Late Night with the Devil doesn’t feature any bloodthirsty chimps, it’s originality could mean that demonic possession hasn’t actually been done to death (literally).
The Conjuring set the standard for the demonic face of horror. Terrifying scenes of ghosts and figures hiding in the shadows of your own house. However, these scenes and storylines can quickly become repetitive, which is why Late Night is so commendable, bringing a new face to this horror story.
We meet Late-Night TV host Jack Delroy (David Dastmalchian), presenter of 70s TV show “Night Owls”, and follow his special Halloween episode that shocked the world. After his wife’s death, his return to TV sees him willing to do anything to boost ratings, including making a deal with the devil. The film presents itself as if we ourselves are watching the show, utilising an old TV aesthetic that sets the film in a rather uncomfortable setting from the outset. There is something extremely creepy about the 70s TV show aesthetic within itself, the unclear audio, grainy film quality, which sets a creative and original setting for this horror.
As the show goes on, as it must always do, Jack, his guests, and the audience are subject to some rather strange and haunting events. Shocking moments of gore mixed with comedic jokes and timing, pausing for commercial breaks seconds after a horrific event takes place. The film merges the public viewing of the Night Owls episode with the private life of the stars, shooting black and white that takes us behind the scenes. Dastmalchian (Prisoners, Dune) gives such a brilliant performance, capturing the charm of the classic American Late-Night host, a 70s Jimmy Fallon, whilst contrasting his comedic on-screen persona with the obsessed behind-the-scenes haunted widower who still wears his wedding ring, obsessed with doing whatever it takes to make “good TV.”
Supporting performances by Ian Bliss and Ingrid Torelli only add to the standard of this movie, and whilst in some places the effects may look a little odd, the overall atmosphere is one bound to make you squirm in your seat. Late Night with the Devil proves we secretly love when live TV goes wrong, watching the truth unfold and people squirm under pressure. Except this time, you’ll probably be the ones squirming.
Enjoy the show.
Presently showing at Cinema City.
More Film Reviews
NORWICH FILM FESTIVAL - INTERNATIONAL MIX
Five short films dealing - in wildly different contexts - with the tensions between autonomy and connection.
NORWICH FILM FESTIVAL - DJ AHMET
North Macedonian director Georgi M. Unkovski’s debut feature.
Norwich Film Festival - East Anglian Shorts
East Anglian Shorts showcased a wondrous range of cinematic talent from the region.
Norwich Film Festival - Late Night Shorts
A selection of eight distinct dark comedy and horror shorts from local and independent film creators.
Norwich Film Festival - High Wire
The directorial debut from buzzing talent Calif Chong
Minima + Phantom of the Opera
The experience proved greatly enhanced by Minima's musical interpretation of the action on screen, coaxing out the emotional core of the film with guitar, cello, percussion and synthesiser.
More by Lamorna Peake
Dune: Part 2
Dune: Part 2 is an absolute must see and already one of the best movies of 2024.
The Zone of Interest
Glazer’s genius use of sound and imagery create a visceral world of pure evil.
The Iron Claw
The Iron Claw engages and thrills us with exciting wrestling sequences, yet we never really feel happy when the Erich brothers win, due to the enormous pressure they are under from both the sport and their father.
American Fiction
Cord Jefferson’s Debut Satire on Race
All of Us Strangers
All of Us Strangers gifts our screens with a love story that feels both nostalgic and haunting...From beginning to end, it captures a journey of loneliness, trauma, and healing, and the rawness of grief that strips characters down to their core.
Poor Things:
An Intoxicating Insight into Male Desire and Female Independence
Related Articles
Chicken Town: World Premiere
I’ve never seen a movie that can jump between comedy and grounded realism with such ease and respect. ..... There is real, genuine importance in this movie. Even after becoming properly engrossed in these characters and the themes present in the movie, I keep on thinking that there are deeper meanings that will register with me on a rewatch.
SOUP presents THE BOWL
I know I've said it before, but it can't be understated how rare it is to see a brave new fledgling sitcom appear - never mind locally! I have to mention that the soundtrack to the episode was entirely original, which is unbelievably impressive for a project such as this. The leaflet I was given prior to the screening said that the pilot promised to be ‘bold, vibrant and entertaining’ - and that's absolutely what it is. That sums it up pretty well. There's a lot to be proud of here. I can't wait to say ‘I knew them when' years down the line.
A MINECRAFT MOVIE
...switching your brain off entirely is probably the best way to enjoy this movie. It’s easy to do, the movie is insane. I loved it.
Screamboat
Snow White
The Holdovers
The Holdovers is one of the funniest films I’ve seen in a long time that will make you cry tears of laughter and sadness.