User Reviews

Late Night with the Devil is a new and unique horror flick. Even having seen 500+ horror films, I can't compare this to anything else. It's not groundbreaking or mind-blowing, but it's different and original.

It's also really good, well-made in most aspects. It hooks you early on, even before any of the horror starts. For a while you're just enjoying a fabricated late night TV talk show. And then when the horror kicks in, oh does it kick. There are a few memorable and jaw-dropping scenes.

My headline is referring to something that drives me crazy. People, including close friends, complain that Hollywood has run out of ideas and only makes sequels, remakes and superhero movies. I respond by showing them all of the original movies released in a year, and how they did not watch any of them. They only go to the theaters a few times a year, and only for the blockbusters. What they're complaining about is their own fault.

If you're a fan of horror and are looking for something far from traditional, Late Night with the Devil is for you. And if you're sick of the perceived lack of original ideas, this is the kind of movie you should be supporting.

(1 viewing, 3/31/2024)

Late Night with the Devil is nothing like I have seen before. It has an amazing narrative, which is in the form of a showing of recorded tapes of a late night TV show led by a host who's grieving his wife's death and facing low ratings. The frontman is terrific and a sight for sore eyes. He manages to keep your attention as you see the plot unfold from a mild talk show into something drastic, horrendous as the guests come in. Late Night with the Devil bends a few horror genre tropes and manages to entertain throughout. I had a ball watching this with a packed audience at the 2023 MAMI Mumbai Film Festival. If you like fun horror films that grow on you, this is for you.

The opening narration does a great job at setting the tone for the rest of the film. It gives off that creepy mystery documentary vibe and it draws you into the story right away. The narration provides us with a quick summary about Jack Delroy (David Dastmalchian) without spending too much time building up his character. Usually that would be a negative but it does it in such an interesting way that we are automatically intrigued by the character. The narration also sets up the story perfectly by letting us know that we will be witnessing an episode from this late night talk show that goes horribly wrong.

The episode begins and we are entranced into this 70's talk show. It does feel like we are watching this show at home. With each guest being interviewed and building upon this Halloween episode. The host makes jokes and interacts with the live audience members and even cuts to commercial breaks. But instead of commercials we get insight into the behind the scenes footage of this programing. All of this builds the story and is fun to watch.

David Dastmalchian delivers a very believable performance as a 70's late night talk show host. All of the cast does a great job and their chemistry helps to sell this story. The production design and the wardrobes are also well done.

Where the film fails is in its ending because the build up just didn't pay off. The ending feels rushed and the film could have benefited from a longer run time after it spent so much time building up this story. The ending isn't terrible but may seem confusing. Some might find the ending enjoyable but personally I thought the character Lily should have been explored more. The film seemed more terrifying when she was more of the focus. Instead the film downplays the horror elements and dishes out an overall theme of "the price of fame". Not to mention there are also some scenes with special effects that seem dated and diminished the films early efforts.

I would still recommend this film but I expect many not to enjoy the ending.

I really enjoyed this.

Sort of found footage, sort of faux documentary, I really loved how this movie was presented.

David Dastmalchian is really very good. And the supporting cast are enjoyable, particularly Ingrid Torelli.

This movie is pretty creepy, and there are tones of exorcist and of VHS 85. There's a kind of Faustian deal at the stories core that I really liked and I found myself smiling quite a lot during the third act.

This movie may not be for everybody. It's obviously not big budget and the effects may not land with everyone but I thought it was a whole lot of creepy, campy fun.

One of the most unique and entertaining horrors I've seen in a LONG time - I really didn't want it to end!

Far from the tired Blumhouse cookie cutter approach to the genre, LNWTD is vibrant, entertaining, gripping and above all - creepy as hell.

I particularly loved the old-school style practical effects and filmmaking. Apart from a few electrical sparks, there wasn't really any CGI - a huge relief, as I feel it's a real detriment to creepy, organic horror films.

The cast were fantastic and had great chemistry, with David Dastmalchian once again proving he's a charming and compelling leading man.

Where to start with this movie, the acting from David dalmastchian is top drawer and for me he makes the movie, it has a uniqueness about it. The way the movie is very much just like watching a chat show on television and how it goes for the interval and we see backstage is freaking cool. I think the ending was very strange and as I said earlier unique to say the least. Dalmastchian does a grand job and hope this gets him some more unusual horror flicks. I always liked the way on the big screen it was just like an old 70's TV screen. I would like to rate the movie higher but the movie for me was too short.

My wife and I attended an advanced screening of Late Night with the Devil (2023) at Alamo Drafthouse last night. The plot revolves around a late-night talk show host struggling to surpass Johnny Carson's ratings despite various attempts, even involving his terminally ill wife joining the show. The host, known for his involvement in a cult, mysteriously disappears for a month after his wife's death, only to return with even lower ratings. With one last chance to save his show, he decides to take drastic measures.

Co-directed by Cameron and Colin Cairnes (Scary Campaign), the film features a stellar cast including David Dastmalchian (The Suicide Squad), Laura Gordon (Undertow), Ian Bliss (The Matrix Reloaded), Fayssal Bazzi (Shantaram), Ingrid Torelli (Bloom), and Rhys Auteri (A Good Deed).

Late Night with the Devil is a phenomenal movie, with a magnificent concept and flawless execution. Every aspect, from sets to costumes to performances, contributes to an authentic atmosphere. While some elements may be over-the-top, they serve to captivate the audience. The film maintains a dark, mysterious tone through smart subplots and unpredictable twists, culminating in a satisfying conclusion that ties everything together to perfection.

The acting is outstanding across the board, with special mention to child actor Ingrid Torelli, who delivers a standout performance. Every character's facial expressions and reactions are compelling, drawing the audience into every scene. The kills are gruesome and perfectly executed. There's a tremendous use of worms that brought a smile to my face. And as for the ending-it's impactful and unforgettable.

In summary, Late Night with the Devil is one of the most unique and original horror films in recent memory. My wife and I both enjoyed it immensely, with her rating it a 10/10 and me an 8/10, averaging out to a solid 9/10. It's a must-see for horror enthusiasts.

I did enjoy the cinematography blended with color and some black and white which if I recall correctly was whenever the "late show" would go into commercial breaks while focusing on the off-air dialogues. What I didn't like about the movie was that there were moments when the character development took longer than I would've expected.

The ending to me was odd and maybe more in tune with what a 70's horror movie would represent. In either case I found the ending confusing and with a lack of surprise, shock or awe which is what I expect in horror films.

Personally, I felt that the climax of the movie was done poorly and left me disappointed.

I managed to see this during The Sydney Film Festival when it was on and it was one of the most underrated films of the night.

David Dastmalchian is brilliant in this role and the other actors in this gel and make this one of the films of the year.

As an Australian it is good to know when can at least make some good horror films, and you'd never know that this was made on a minimal budget it never shows and I hope it gets to make a big return..

I have nothing but good things to say about this because of just how good it was. I always see things at film festivals and seeing this was a highlight of the SFF and it has MIFF to go. Can't wait for everyone else to see it.

This film is proof you don't need a ton of money to make a good movie. You just need the right talent and some thought.

Late Night with the Devil starts out with a documentary style very similar to Woody Allen's Take the Money and Run. It soon morphs, however into a Halloween episode of a late night talk show, purporting to re-air a live episode including scenes never show on TV.

This part is a bit weird because the scenes shown during the commercial would have never been filmed, so how did they have them? No matter, the movie is so compelling, you'll probably disregard this minor point.

The show's first guest is a psychic, then a skeptic, then a girl who is supposed to be possessed by a demon. It unfolds really well and I really loved the movie.

Until the ending.

For me, the ending took two stars away from the review. It was just too abrupt and ethereal. Still worth a watch, however.

I really admire how much work went into this film.

The 70's ethic was recreated believably and the set and wardrobe folks are to be commended. As are the sound people.

The movie is comprised of found footage or previously unreleased footage of a TV talk show which featured some special Halloween guests to boost ratings.

The host has his own tragic, sensational backstory to add to the plot of what takes place in the hour-long talk show episode.

The story is compelling and tragic and has some references to the occult participation of the protagonist talk show celebrity.

The issue I note with the movie is the individual segments of the guests who each have a few moments of terror in the film. These subsections of the film come off as separate chapters and take away from the focus of the film, the title, the Late Night with the devil interview.

Other than this disjointed assembly of characters, the film is entertaining for its throwback qualities and the interesting characters assembled.

I'm sorry to sound like a hater, but I found this movie to be really boring and kind of dumb. It's a great premise and I enjoyed the 70's vibe, but there was nothing in it that I found to be scary/horrifying. I realize it's a low-budget film, yet the acting, effects, and plot really lacked. In short, this movie really comes across as an amateurish, film-school short. There's a whole lot of overrating of this movie - I think that is mostly due to the fact that it is different. However, different does not mean good. I'm tired of overhyped movies like this getting buzz just so people sign up to stream it.

In this movie, a late night show host, desperate for ratings, does some paranormal experiments live on air on the Halloween night of 1977.

This movie right now has a rating of 7.4 with 13k votes, which by the scale of the horror movies is like 9 for regular movies, so as a horror fan I've watched it as soon as I could.

I really wanted to like this, I really did. It is a unique story as mentioned by other reviewers, the setting is great, acting is great (specially Mr. Dastmalchian), the movie is really engaging and not a bad at all, totally watchable. So what's the catch? In my humble opinion, it is not scary. It has some scary moments, but in overall, I didn't find it scary.

Most horror movies have some main elements that are scary or at least creepy for everyone, like new house, peculiar entities, etc., but late night shows are not creepy in nature, so maybe they needed some more preparations or backstories for the viewers.

In conclusion, this is not a bad movie, it is unique, has its moments and acting is great. In general, it could be better (or worse), but it is watchable, specially for horror fans, but do not expect anything groundbreaking or extraordinary.

Slick, Charming, Satanic! Late Night With The Devil sucks you in and keeps you held in horrified suspense in an era you might not've even been alive for. Lol If you love the paranormal, occult, and horror there's countless Easter eggs, and I might've even spied some uncredited actors just to further add to the wtf is happening factor. Idk how the hell they made this thing look so good, the perfect grain, the perfect colors, the perfect cast, every little thing was flawless, and so charming. This is unlike anything you've ever watched. It's an instant classic. And it was well well worth the wait.

These high ratings have to be hyped reviews. Whenever someone sees something at a film festival or a pre screening people feel like what they are watching is special.

This is an okay movie. As someone who actually grew up in the 70s they did a great job with the 70s feel without being too campy.

I watch A LOT of movies, so it all was so predictable, but not completely disappointing. No one in the theater looked surprised when the "twist" was revealed. It's not even a twist.

The actor who played Lilly - wow. At first I thought she was a bit old to play 13, but as I watched her acting she drew me right in. Her intense looks really gave the movie an agitated feeling.

It moves slow as a horror movie, but it is an entertaining 70s throwback until the "horror" unfolds.

Pretending to be "found footage" from the 1970s, this is the night TV chat show host Jack Delroy (David Dastmalchian) hoped his show would get a boost from a Halloween special featuring a Latino medium and a teenage girl possessed by a demon. He got more than he bargained for. Obviously, things were going to go horribly wrong, and they did - horribly.

This is - almost - a gloriously original movie, or at least it's an original twist on familiar tropes, in the vein of, let's say, Scary Movie. Some projectile vomiting heralds the inevitable "hommage" to THE EXORCIST. Lilly, the possessed girl (Ingrid Torelli), is clearly referencing Linda Blair, but she reminded me a bit of Pamela Franklin (THE INNOCENTS, 1961).

LATE NIGHT WITH THE DEVIL is unusually short, less than 90 mins. A bit gross towards the finale, but not as sickeningly gross as the majority of current horror films. Recommended.

I have to say that this is a rather original and really good effort of making a thrilling horror, with a nod towards Exorcist and Amityville. We're surprised we are straight in with a 70s late-night talk show very much like Johnny Carson and this is rather long before we get into this brilliant part of the horror. I realise that we are being drawn into this and it is rather clever and we have almost forgotten about the horror. Of course we enjoy the way the program is made and with all the advert breaks, the short music introductions and the unfunny jokes. David Dastmalchian is brilliant, he doesn't put a foot wrong also Ingrid Torelli is almost even better. She is a young Australian girl with her first film and amazing although I understand that she was had a wonderful run in 2016 with Matilda the Musical in Melbourne but she certainly had a different role in this one with a lovely look in her eye, she is a bit of a devil.

I don't really think you can, or really should, talk about this movie without at least addressing it's use of AI in the creation of some of its images. Personally I do feel a bit disappointed that the filmmakers chose to take that step. It's not something I support and I don't think there are any justifiable reasons for its use in the creation of art. Having said that though I would rather a film of this scale and smaller budget use it in the creation of a few frames rather than a blockbuster of considerably more resources creating whole pages of dialogue or fully rendered scenes or sequences. I've been gratified at the intense response it's provoked here because the less acknowledgment it has the easier it'll be for studio heads to expand AI use in their future productions.

To the judge the film purely on its quality however, I thought this was a totally gripping experience and one of the most unique executions of a horror premise I've seen. I totally fell for the aesthetic these filmmakers were trying to create and I was frequently in awe at how successfully executed it was. It never felt like they were just going for a found footage format with a 70's filter over it. Everything from the grainy quality of the images and the slight echo added to all of the audio is done in aid of the recreation of this era of television. Although I was frequently impressed with it but thankfully more often than not I forgot about it and just became taken by the ride this movie takes you on.

It's not just the technical aspects either, the dialogue and character interactions feel so genuine and like they're ripped straight out of a classic episode of Johnny Carson or Dick Cavett. A lot of this success is also owed to David Dastmalchian who I've always loved as an actor in the usually smaller roles he's given and I got a total kick out of seeing him lead a film like this. He's essentially giving 2 performances; the on screen persona of a talk show host and the man we see behind the scenes and he pulls it all off perfectly. He manages to be funny and totally effecting in a way that made me never quite sure how to feel about the character and those are the kind of protagonists I really love, especially when it comes to horror.

My issues only really come down do how the directors deviate from the rules they establish for themselves. We frequently follow the character in the behind-the-scenes portions of the show and it isn't always handled with the same restraint that the on-air scenes are. Too often it felt like they resorted to normal shot compositions with a black-and-white filter and it did sometimes break the illusion the rest of the movie was going for. There's also a pretty large exposition dump that opens the film which felt like it was trying way too hard to deliver background on this character rather than spoon feeding it more naturally throughout the rest of the narrative. I also thought the third act went a little bit off the rails for what the rest of the film was trying to set up but I never didn't find it effective.

I truly think that the AI discourse should be, and needs to be, a part of the conversation surrounding this movie but I don't want that to eclipse just how fantastic it really is. I found this quite inspiring as a filmmaker and I have so much respect for the vision these directors went for with this film and just how well they executed it. After how many duds 2024 has given us so far, Dune: Part Two aside, seeing a film of this originality really made me happy. People craving originality in theirs movies really should be going out their way to see Late Night with The Devil because I've never seen a horror film quite like this one.

This movie starts out a little unusual in that the first, say, 5 minutes is presented in the form a documentary. It made me think or worry that maybe the entire movie would be like that. But then it starts and it does not disappoint. The characters that are introduced are genuinely interesting. I was impressed by Carmichael (played by Iann Bliss).

Early on and well into the ending, the movie is exploring this question of whether what is happening is real or fake. The ending had to have been consistent with the answer to that question. The problem that this movie has is that the ending--while not being the worst ending of all time for a movie--is not so great. It just doesn't tie the story together as well as I think it could have. Now, if this ending was done but a little differently, perhaps it could have still been good. Ultimately, I think if the ending to this movie was great or perfect, this could have been a true classic. But that was not the case. I could have given this movie a 7, but I just put a ton of emphasis on a decent ending for the movies I watch.

I want to also take a moment to point one of the great things about this movie that will be overlooked: its comedy. Sometimes this is unintentional and a lot of times only certain personalities will see the humor of it, but it's there. Finally, there is a degree of originality to this movie that should also be pointed out: An entire movie based on a show--And a movie that, overall, is not so bad.

Late night with the devil is beautifully shot, claustrophobic and suspensful. There is strong social commentary throughout around the ultimate cost of fame. The film is both orginial and experimental, it never plays it safe (no boring horror tropes here).

The satanic horror films of the past couple of years have fallen rather flat, this is a truly refreshing take.

The performance by the lead is exceptional, Jack is a character that is a complex and mutli facetted, David Dastmalchian has the perfect mannerisms to pull that off, i certianly want to see him in more roles. The actress who plays Lilly is also unnervingly brilliant.

This is a 1970s love-in, a nostalgic throwback and a real homage to true Horror royalties in Rosemary's baby and Exorcist. Think King of Comedy meets those two. I would make clear although this is horror it is more sprinkled with horror elements, if you go into it expecting constant scares you may be a little disappointed. The story builds gradually but the pay off is well worth it.

This is a movie that is a treat to experience and one that stays with you long after the final credits roll. You are the audience and tonight we are connecting with the devil...

There's a lot to like about Late Night with the Devil; the first being the absolutely fantastic performance of David Dasmalchian as Jack. He really nails the 1970s late night talk show host vibe perfectly and has a lot of wit and charisma, yet an underlying darkness that you know (or I guess hope) will come into play later on.

I also really loved the aesthetic for most of the film, with the grainy, multi camera look, excellent period costuming and hairstyling, and amazing aesthetic touches that drew me in immediately. The film makes great use of practical effects and while it may look a bit silly, I thought it had a charm that was appropriate for the era.

(Side note: The filmmakers opted to use AI for some of the transition cards in the film and it's caused a bit of a stir. To be honest, I don't think this is an application of the technology worth getting angry over. It's a low budget film, AI use is inevitable, and this was probably the least intrusive way to use it)

I also felt really compelled by the story and the structure of the film, which felt longer and meatier (at least for most of it) than it would seem. It moved at a quick pace and I was never bored.

However, I do think this movie wears its numerous flaws on its sleeve. The entire conceit - that this is an unaired episode - should've been stuck with. The movie confusingly switches between the gorgeous 70s talk show style to a baffling black-and-white handheld camera look, which I found necessary for the story, but ultimately confusing by the end of the film when it switches it up completely. Either this is supposed to be "found footage" or it isn't.

I also felt a lot of the performances were pretty subpar, especially the girl playing Lily (Ingrid Torelli) and the woman playing June (Laura Gordon). Torelli just...didn't have the screen presence necessary for the role and her line delivery was baffling. I couldn't make heads or tails of her character and maybe there was stuff left on the cutting room floor, because her character's "journey" through this film was utterly confusing and disappointing. Gordon just did not deliver her lines well. I just didn't buy her at all.

Then there's the ending...which...I can forgive to an extent for being "interpretable," but I can also totally understand feels incoherent. It's almost like when someone writes and essay and it's already 11 pages long so they rush the conclusion. There's no real satisfactory explanation for a lot of the questions you hope the film would answer, which made me wonder why they introduced some plot elements to begin with (i.e. Jack's backstory with the thinly veiled cult). It's not rocket science as to what happened; it's just not given the emotional weight it needs nor the explosive payoff you'd want.

I think this is a fine and fun movie that I'm happy I saw and I'd probably show other people. One question I have is...why on Earth was this released in March and not Halloween, when the film is set? It's bizarre.

Another new movie and yet another bunch of reviews by people who really don't seem to have seen much in the way of movies and think everything is fantastic!

To be clear this is an average movie let down by a sketchy final third and some CGI which looks ridiculously out of place in a 1970's themed movie. They really should have went all in with the 70's theme and used practical effects to fit with the asthetic.

The narrative is not as original as some people think. The haunted TV show has been done before and much better. I would refer the reader to seek out the BBC drama Ghostwatch, which caused a genuine sensation when it was aired. Because so many people thought it was real. That show has genuine casualties. Late Night is simply not in the same league. For one too much of this is played for laughs and its simply not that scary. Its obvious from the very beginning where the story will and you are basically waiting for this finale throughout the movie. The acting and the film are good enough to keep you engaged, it just doesn't feel like a satisfying climax considering the lead up. This certainly feels like a Garth Marenghi episode but done more seriously and with fewer gags that land. Sorry to disappoint but this is not the hugely original 10/10 movie some are suggesting. Seriously, for the haunted TV Show trope, seek out Ghostwatch and keep in mind that this was actually broadcast on national TV to an unsuspecting public. And the response is the reason it was never shown again. Late Night feels like a fun but flawed streaming movie. I reckon the IMDB score will drop as more people see it.

"Late Night with the Devil" delivers a truly original concept that merges the eerie ambiance of late-night television with supernatural horror, offering viewers a fresh and intriguing take on the genre. David Dastmalchian shines in his role as Jack Delroy, the charismatic yet haunted host of "Night Owls," anchoring the film with a compelling performance that keeps audiences engaged throughout.

The cinematography of the film is undeniably captivating, immersing viewers in the chilling atmosphere of the 1970s late-night talk show setting. From the ominous lighting to the meticulous period details, every frame is crafted with care, enhancing the overall experience of the film.

While the movie succeeds in its originality and technical execution, some of its horror elements may feel a bit familiar or cliché to seasoned genre enthusiasts. However, the film manages to overcome these minor shortcomings with its inventive premise and strong performances.

Overall, "Late Night with the Devil" is a commendable effort that offers a unique and entertaining cinematic experience. With its blend of supernatural intrigue, engaging characters, and stylish visuals, it earns a solid rating of 7.5/10. Fans of horror and unconventional storytelling should definitely give this film a watch.

'Late Night with the Devil' is an aesthetically appealing horror flick that is destined to be a cult classic!

Having the 70s late night television style made this film so memorable. You can distinguish this film from an individual frame, which you cannot say about all films. Furthermore, the style was essential to the narrative so it does not just act as window dressing. There was some well designed costumes and special effects that will make you squirm.

Ingrid Torelli- the teenage actress- gave an eerie performance well beyond her years. The show host protagonist was expertly represented by David Dastmalchian, as he gives an almost detached but equally greedy portrayal. This film also gets bonus for having Michael Ironside do the opening narration! I highly recommend adding this to your watchlist.