That might just be the best name drop I have ever heard or seen in a film, and it's accompanied by one of my favorite title cards I have ever witnessed; perfectly simplistic in nature yet sets the vibe for the movie perfectly and the retro feel it displays is already amazing. There's really so much to like about this movie in my opinion, and it's definitely the best horror movie I have seen so far this year, and it's not even inherently all that scary, but it's "scares" that do occur are genuinely very frightening and super well done - I especially meshed with the ending quite a bit, and it really reminded me of the feel of the more recent V/H/S films, which I have a severe soft spot for so I really loved the entire sequence. Obviously the main thing you're going to hear about this movie since it's release is about it's lead actor, the immensely talented David Dastmalchian, who has been a supporting role in so many fantastic movies but has never really gotten the chance to take the leading role and show off how good he can truly do. I mean I've always loved this dude, from his performance in 2013's "Prisoners" which left my jaw on the floor, 2022's "The Suicide Squad" which was one of the funniest movie going experiences I have ever had, and of course hills hilarious role in the Ant-Man films. However; it is very easy for me to say that this is his best performance thus far. He absolutely brings his a-game to this film and he carries it without breaking a sweat. Every single scene with this man is perfection and the way he's able to play Jack Delroy here is phenomenal, and I desperately need to see this man in more leading roles. If there's anything to take away from this movie, it's that this guy needs to be cast as the lead more often, as his charisma is what makes this such an engaging and compelling watch; and it honestly would've been pretty mid without his involvement. Although; despite how excellent Dastmalchian's performance is for this movie, there's one very glaring problem with is as a whole and the precedent it could possibly set for the film industry as a whole. Late Night With the Devil is shot as if it's a found footage tape for the final episode of a late night talk show, and as shows like this tend to have, this one has intermission screen. The problem with these intermission screens, which there are I believe about four of, they are entirely done with AI instead of a human artist. Which is obviously a scary concept for a film as of people are okay with these four still images intercut between the live action segments, how far are these studios going to push this to see how much we will allow? It's a pretty big deal as a business wide topic, as this does present some very serious questions that will affect filmmaking as we get into the future with AI, but in my opinion for this movie itself it is not fair to review bomb it due to this inclusion. I am under this impression for the sheer fact that it's unfair to undermine the rest of the talented hardworking cast and crew who poured their hearts into making this film, and the truth is it's a fantastically made film at the very least. However; in my opinion this is an amazing movie that while not being scary the majority of the time does leave a real sense of unease present at all times and the way it handles it's story is immaculate. This is by all accounts, a feature length analog horror film, and that is one of the coolest things I can possibly think of. It's marketed as found footage as technically in the world of the film this was all just recorded and found decades later, but this quite literally feels like a feature length version of say, the Mandela catalogue in a way, and I love it for that. The only other movie that's even come close to grasping that aura for me was last year "Skinamarink", which I didn't particularly love or anything, and I think that this movie nailed that feeling far better. Being able to capture this ever present eerie feeling combined with constant dread and the need for viewership/attention. It's just so well done from the sound design, to the effects, obviously the music, and it goes without saying every single performance here is impeccable.. but of course David Dastmalchian is the clear standout. I loved this movie honestly, and I find it hard to find anything wrong with it, it's actually even better on a rewatch which I wasn't expecting because I thought I would've liked it less as I watched it a second time, but I just came to appreciate all the great things about it even more. I do agree that the precedent set by this movie and a lot of peoples disregard for the AI involvement in it is bad, and Netflix has already one upped them with their documentary "What Jennifer Did", but I do not think the use of four still images is worthy to entirely throw away all the perfect things about this movie and not give the very talented cast and crew the recognition they deserve. Everything here besides those images is perfect in my eyes, and Dastmalchian is just the icing on the cake, and I wholeheartedly cannot wait to see this man in another film as I love everytime he appears on my screen. I assume you can guess from how much I've praised it I recommend checking this movie out for yourself if you have Shudder, as it's more than worth giving a watch and I pray the positive reception this movie has garnered will give this man the chance to lead another movie in the near future. Peak on god. My mom doesn't agree though... Mom: (2/5)
Review of Late Night with the Devil
