With a new twist on the found footage trope and a charismatic leading performance, Late Night with the Devil will become a staple of movies to watch every Halloween.

Horror is a genre that I have only recently gotten into when it comes to my movie lineup.  As a child, I did not want to sit in constant fear of what may happen just to say I saw a “scary movie.”  While I still scare easily, I have come to seek out horror films as they are so much more than just a couple of jump scares.

Late Night with the Devil tells the story of late-night talk show host Jack Delroy (David Dastmalchian) as his Halloween episode became the talk of the town for what happened that night.  Dastmalchian is one of those actors that you constantly see in supporting roles across a wide variety of films.  This movie, however, gave him the opportunity to show that he should be sought after for every leading man performance.  He is able to perfectly capture the energy, both on screen and off, of a late-night talk show host that he’d have you believing his character should have been named Jimmy.  Dastmalchian is able to show off the mannerisms and tone of voice we are so familiar with today’s late-night hosts that Fallon and Kimmel should be worried they may be replaced by him.  A lot of the character of Jack, especially when it comes to his grief, is shown through his eyes that you feel for him every time.  Along with perfect delivery and an eagerness to get the best ratings possible, Dastmalchian is a star that deserves all the praise for this role.

The format of storytelling the filmmakers decided to go with is a version of found footage that puts a unique spin on the trope.  We are introduced with a narration that tells us the backstory of Jack Delroy and the rise of his late-night show Night Owls.  It is a fun narrative way to introduce us to the characters we are about to meet.  We learn about the rise and fall of Night Owls after the death of Jack’s wife, Madeleine (Georgina Haig), caused him to lose the viewership he once had.  To get back on top, Jack decides to do a Halloween special in 1977.  We are then treated to the “recovered episode” with the footage seen on TV and the behind-the-scenes of what was happening during the commercials.  While there have been many found footage horror films, this one feels different because of the introductory scene and getting to see both sides of what happened that day.  Just one of the ways the film is able to keep you glued to the screen.

For the episode, Jack invites four guests with supernatural careers to help boost the ratings.  The first guest is a medium named Christou (Fayssal Bazzi) who gets paid to try to connect people with the spirits of those they have lost.  There is a lot of skepticism, both in the film and in real life, about this type of profession.  Some mediums tend to go after those who are the most vulnerable and potentially scam them for money with “cheap tricks”.  Bazzi is one of the most fascinating characters as you cannot tell if he is truly contacting people from the dead or is playing it up for the audience to help promote his upcoming tour.  You never really know how to perceive him, questioning if he is being faithful to what a medium is up until his last scene.  He is a delight to have on screen.

Another guest on the show is a former magician turned skeptic Carmichael the Conjurer (Ian Bliss) brought on to stir the pot between the other guests.  Bliss also gives a top-notch performance as you love to hate him.  Every single thing the other guests talk about, Carmichael has something to say to try to prove them wrong.  He believes that everything can be proven with science because, as a former magician, he knows all the tricks of the trade.  He’s that traditional know-it-all character that you end up rooting against no matter if what he is saying makes sense.  I groaned every time he opened his mouth, which is how you know the character is written and performed perfectly.   

The last guests brought on are Dr. June Ross-Mitchell (Laura Gordon), a parapsychologist, who saved a young girl, Lilly (Ingrid Torelli), from a cult who is believed to be possessed.  They are invited on the show to promote June’s new book about the conversations she has had with the devil through Lilly.  The chemistry between Gordon and Torelli makes you feel like they care deeply for one another, but there is also a slight divide as Lilly is the test subject for June.  their relationship is tested when requests for a live demonstration of speaking with the devil overpower the potential dangers; Lilly wants to be a star, but June wants to keep her safe.  Torelli absolutely nails the creepy girl character that has been made a staple for this genre.  Even when she is not being possessed by the devil, she gives you goosebumps with her presence.  You can tell she has been through something traumatic and does not know how to convey herself as a “normal” girl.  Torelli has a bright career ahead of her.

One aspect of the film that, depending on the viewer, could help or hinder the enjoyment is that it feels corny.  Some of the special effects make it seem like it was filmed during the time period it takes place, but it is hard to tell if that was done purposely or due to being a low budget film.  There are also many funny lines delivered by the characters, but it can feel out of place for what is currently happening.  While those worked for my viewing experience, it may not be the same for others.

Late Night with the Devil has some of the best character performances accompanied by a unique storytelling style that makes for a perfect Halloween film that will be playing on my TV for years to come.  Even if there are some corny aspects to it, it is a fun and thrilling story that should be seen by everyone.

Grade: A-

Oscar Prospects:
Likely: None
Should Be Considered: None

Where to Watch: In Theaters