Late Night with the Devil – Movie Review (4/5)

LATE NIGHT WITH THE DEVIL is a new Demonic Horror movie taking place on Halloween in 1977. A true horror treat with an enigmatic David Dastmalchian in the lead role. Read our full Late Night with the Devil movie review here!

LATE NIGHT WITH THE DEVIL is a new horror movie coming to theaters now and Shudder in just a few weeks. This horror movie has a demonic and diabolic plot. Of course, the title reveals as much. Also, it all plays out on Halloween 1977 during a Late Night talk show.

I loved the vibe of this movie with its 1970s setting, but what really brought it home for me was the almost true crime documentary style. Even the runtime of 93 minutes serves this horror movie well. You are in for one crazy horror treat. It’s also a gorgeous cinematic experience as well!

Continue reading our Late Night with the Devil movie review below. Find it in theaters from March 22, 2024, and on Shudder from April 19, 2024.

Welcome Night Owls

When Late Night with the Devil begins, it’s with a narrator explaining what the Late Night host Jack Delroy has been through so far. His Late Night show “Night Owls” has left him a perpetual second to Johnny Carson when it comes to Late Night hosts.

The narrator is voiced by Michael Ironside, who has the perfect voice for setting the tone. What we get to see next is the events that took place during the taping of the Halloween show, which aired live on October 31, 1977.

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We’re essentially watching the master tapes from that fateful night and we see some behind-the-scenes footage. Anything behind the scenes is shown in Black and White, while the actual show is in color. Always featuring those delicious Fall colors that ruled the 1970s.

And yes, this live television broadcast does go quite wrong several times. In fact, it ends up unleashing an evil that is broadcast into the nation’s living rooms. Even those watching The Tonight Show are turning their backs on Johnny Carson to see what Jack Delroy’s guests are bringing to the show.

Hint: It isn’t really of this world. And not everyone will survive!

David Dastmalchian shines as Jack Delroy

Not only does David Dastmalchian make for a very believable Late Night host, but he also comes across as very approachable and kind. While we have seen David Dastmalchian in all kinds of roles, he has been playing villains or someone who has suffered in the past.

You’ll recognize David Dastmalchian from quite recent movies. From The Last Voyage of the Demeter, Oppenheimer, The Boogeyman, and The Boston Strangler to Dune, The Suicide Squad, and Bird Box. He always portrays fascinating characters but rarely plays a “normal” guy.

Of course, you could argue that a Late Night talk show host isn’t your Average Joe. However, that’s exactly the kind of person Jack Delroy of “Night Owls” is. The kind of person you don’t mind inviting into your living room late at night.

Of course, David Dastmalchian isn’t the only actor in this horror movie. He has a stellar cast in all the supporting roles. Among them are Laura Gordon (Reckoning miniseries), Ian Bliss (The Matrix Reloaded), Christopher Kirby (Apples Never Fall), Georgina Haig (Archive 81), and Steve Mouzakis (The Stranger).

Watch Late Night with the Devil in theaters now – on Shudder soon!

The writer-director duo the Cairnes Brothers are the filmmakers behind this new horror gem. The Australian brothers Colin and Cameron Cairnes (100 Bloody Acres, Scare Campaign) have a great eye and feel for horror. Much to the benefit of all horror fans.

This is probably their most accomplished movie yet – though that is obviously a subjective claim. Even IMDb ratings are higher for this one, and I suspect (and hope!) they’ll stay high as Late Night with the Devil deserves it.

Ratings, reviews, and a lot of ticket sales and streams are needed for more movies to be made. And I am hoping to see more from the Cairnes Brothers in the near future!

IFC Films & Shudder are releasing this very anticipated horror movie which means it’s getting a theatrical release first. Less than one month later, it will be heading exclusively to Shudder on April 19, 2024. Watch it in theaters if you can – then rewatch it on Shudder later!

Late Night with the Devil is out in US theaters from March 22, 2024.

Details

Directors: Colin Cairnes & Cameron Cairnes
Writers: Colin Cairnes & Cameron Cairnes
Cast: David Dastmalchian, Laura Gordon, Ian Bliss, Fayssal Bazzi, Ingrid Torelli, Rhys Auteri, Georgina Haig