Name: Late Night with the Devil
Genre: Horror
Released: 2024-03-19T00:00:00+00:00
Cast: David Dastmalchian, Laura Gordon, Ian Bliss, Fayssal Bazzi, Ingrid Torelli

The possessed girl levitates in her chair, her eyes rolling back as she spews venomous revelations about the talk show host’s secret life. This moment, chilling and unsettling, is where Late Night with the Devil finds its footing—blending analog horror with the voyeuristic thrill of live television gone horribly wrong.

Directed by brothers Colin and Cameron Cairnes, this 2023 independent horror film is a postmodernist nightmare wrapped in the trappings of a 1977 late-night talk show. The plot revolves around Jack Delroy (David Dastmalchian), a desperate host trying to boost ratings by inviting an allegedly possessed girl onto his show. The film incorporates elements of analog horror, found footage, and documentary filmmaking, creating a layered narrative that investigates the unexplained events of that fateful Halloween broadcast.

What works best here is the atmosphere—the flickering static of old television screens, the grainy found footage, and the eerie sound design that amplifies every creak and whisper. The Cairnes brothers excel at building tension through these technical choices, making the audience feel like they’re watching something forbidden, something that shouldn’t be seen. The performances are a highlight, particularly Dastmalchian as Jack Delroy, who conveys desperation and hubris in equal measure. Laura Gordon as June Ross-Mitchell brings a grounded skepticism that contrasts well with the supernatural chaos unfolding around her.

However, the film falters when it tries to balance its multiple themes. The exploration of devil worship, cult activity, possession, psychical research, and sacrificial magic feels overextended at times, diluting the impact of each element. The demon effects, while passable, lack the visceral horror that could have elevated the scares. More ghostly than demonic, they often feel like a missed opportunity to truly unsettle the audience.

The film’s conclusion ties everything together neatly, but it doesn’t quite land with the same punch as its earlier moments. The final reveal feels more clever than genuinely shocking, and some of the subplots, particularly those involving Jack’s personal struggles, could have been trimmed for a tighter narrative.

Ultimately, Late Night with the Devil is a fascinating experiment in horror that doesn’t always stick the landing. It’s a film that demands attention but occasionally loses focus amid its ambitious scope.