Looking for a horror movie with a bit of nostalgia? One that leans into the cultural zeitgeist of the time but still provides a good payoff? Set in the late 1970s, Late Night with the Devil brings audiences to the set of a Halloween special being filmed for a late night talk show. Constantly battling in rating with the Johnny Carson show – Jack Delroy’s Night Owls is looking to do something different to spike their ratings during sweeps week. Booking mediums, psychics, and illusionists – Jack’s biggest guest of the night is Lilly, a young girl who is possessed by a demon and the parapsychologist who can communicate with the demon. What starts relatively innocent quickly takes a turn for the dark with some tragic results.
It’s interesting to see how quickly the audience goes from skeptics to convinced by the mediums and other guests on the show. But also how quickly the tricks can be debunked by other guests and experts on the show until they can’t. There is always this looming theme of what Jack did with his clandestine group in the woods, or what deals and sacrifices he made along the way for his success. What does the demon inside Lilly know and what missing parts of the story are there? The behind-the-scenes take on the story gives audiences some look at what’s going on but holds back just enough to make you question what you’re watching.
No matter what is happening on the screen, the movie does make you feel bad for some of the supporting characters who are just there to do their job. In particular, there is more than one occasion you may find yourself saying “poor Gus” about the co-host/announcer on Night Owls.
Late Night with the Devil’s documentary style almost borders on mockumentary and gives the movie a bit of a lighter feel. It has callbacks to horror movie classics in some of the editing styles and some of the themes like Lilly’s possession. And while some scenes towards the end do get a bit graphic – overall the movie isn’t particularly scary or gross. Instead, it’s a slow burn to the inevitable end that the audience can see coming. Playing on the satanic panic of the era, the movie blends the issues of the time with a creepy story and premise along the way.
Late Night with the Devil is currently playing in select theaters. The movie is currently playing with a limited release in Metro Detroit at the following theaters:
- Emagine 18
- Riviera, The
- Historic Howell Theatre
- NCG Lansing Eastwood Cinema 18
- Emagine Royal Oak 10
- Emagine Saline 9 + EMAX
- Southgate Cinema 20
- Forum 17 – Sterling Hts
- Market Place Cinema 20
- Westland Grand Cinema 16
- Emagine Woodhaven 10
Overall Rating:
About Late Night with the Devil
October 31, 1977. Johnny Carson rival Jack Delroy hosts a syndicated late night talk show ‘Night Owls’ that has long been a trusted companion to insomniacs around the country. A year after the tragic death of Jack’s wife, ratings have plummeted. Desperate to turn his fortunes around, Jack plans a Halloween special like no other, unaware that he is about to unleash evil into the living rooms of America.