LATE NIGHT WITH THE DEVIL has a terrific, easy-to-explain premise that it largely lives up to. It's the 1970's, the heyday of Johnny Carson, and also-ran late-night talk show host Jack Delroy has a plan to juice up his ratings in the hope of surpassing Carson, even if only for one night. On Halloween, he will feature a series of guests with considerable interest in the supernatural and occult. The movie is essentially us seeing that broadcast again, along with what happened during commercial breaks. And let's just say, Jack gets more than he bargained for.
Delroy is played by David Dastmalchian, an actor I've noticed before thanks to his often off-putting characters. He's an unusual looking actor and as a result, I imagine, often gets cast as strange or off-center characters. He's rather convincing in LATE NIGHT, and very believable as a third-rate talk show host, in the dreadful '70s-era suits and ties. He is the focal point of the movie and in virtually every frame. He carries the film well. He is surrounded by largely unknown performers, but they all pitch their work at the same level. The film is aware that the trappings of the '70s make it look vaguely ridiculous and the movie therefore plays for something akin to satire or comedy, although it is not really a comedy. But it also builds a convincing sense of foreboding. When Delroy tells his home audience that they're going to do things like interview a demon, we know just how stupid a move this is likely to be!
And the movie itself offers just enough tension (particularly during the commercial breaks) that we know we aren't off the hook, horror-wise, just because the proceedings appear to be lightly handled. So for about half the film, I was mostly enjoying the authentic feeling recreation of a cheesy talk-show and enjoying Dastmalchian's performance. Then, things slowly but surely get more and more intense...building to a pretty nutso climax.
I've heard this described as a "found footage" movie, but it isn't. I take the trouble to say that, because some folks won't watch those, either because of their predictable nature or because the wobbly camera work doesn't sit well with them. This is, essentially, a showing of a one hour TV show. No shaky camera work. Just a low budget aesthetic that works very well in establishing a time & place.
I enjoyed the film very much. It wasn't at all the scariest thing I've ever seen, and in my opinion, somewhat fumbles its "on the nose" ending. Some of the actions a couple of key characters take (the psychiatrist in particular) are a bit hard to buy. BUT...I appreciated the effort that went into this, and I want also give a special shout-out to young actor Ingrid Torelli as Lilly, the main attraction of Delroy's Halloween experiment. She's an awful lot of fun to watch.
I'd certainly encourage folks who like horror films to check this out. It's creative, fun and creepy.
Delroy is played by David Dastmalchian, an actor I've noticed before thanks to his often off-putting characters. He's an unusual looking actor and as a result, I imagine, often gets cast as strange or off-center characters. He's rather convincing in LATE NIGHT, and very believable as a third-rate talk show host, in the dreadful '70s-era suits and ties. He is the focal point of the movie and in virtually every frame. He carries the film well. He is surrounded by largely unknown performers, but they all pitch their work at the same level. The film is aware that the trappings of the '70s make it look vaguely ridiculous and the movie therefore plays for something akin to satire or comedy, although it is not really a comedy. But it also builds a convincing sense of foreboding. When Delroy tells his home audience that they're going to do things like interview a demon, we know just how stupid a move this is likely to be!
And the movie itself offers just enough tension (particularly during the commercial breaks) that we know we aren't off the hook, horror-wise, just because the proceedings appear to be lightly handled. So for about half the film, I was mostly enjoying the authentic feeling recreation of a cheesy talk-show and enjoying Dastmalchian's performance. Then, things slowly but surely get more and more intense...building to a pretty nutso climax.
I've heard this described as a "found footage" movie, but it isn't. I take the trouble to say that, because some folks won't watch those, either because of their predictable nature or because the wobbly camera work doesn't sit well with them. This is, essentially, a showing of a one hour TV show. No shaky camera work. Just a low budget aesthetic that works very well in establishing a time & place.
I enjoyed the film very much. It wasn't at all the scariest thing I've ever seen, and in my opinion, somewhat fumbles its "on the nose" ending. Some of the actions a couple of key characters take (the psychiatrist in particular) are a bit hard to buy. BUT...I appreciated the effort that went into this, and I want also give a special shout-out to young actor Ingrid Torelli as Lilly, the main attraction of Delroy's Halloween experiment. She's an awful lot of fun to watch.
I'd certainly encourage folks who like horror films to check this out. It's creative, fun and creepy.
