Late Night with the Devil (2023) is a supernatural horror film written, directed, and edited by the Australian filmmaking duo Colin and Cameron Cairnes. Shot in a style that blends analog horror with the "found footage" aesthetic, the film presents itself as a recovered master tape of a fictional late-night talk show episode that aired on Halloween night, 1977. Since its premiere at SXSW and subsequent theatrical release, it has emerged as a critical darling, praised for its suffocating atmosphere, period-accurate production design, and a career-defining performance by David Dastmalchian.

The film operates on a chilling premise: a desperate talk show host, Jack Delroy, attempts to save his plummeting ratings by inviting a supposedly possessed girl onto his live broadcast. What begins as a ratings stunt spirals into a televised nightmare that blurs the lines between reality, mass hallucination, and genuine demonic intervention.

The Haunting Premise of Night Owls with Jack Delroy

The narrative is framed by a documentary-style prologue that sets the historical context. Jack Delroy is the host of Night Owls, a syndicated talk show competing for the attention of America’s insomniacs alongside the legendary Johnny Carson. Despite Jack’s initial success and his membership in "The Grove"—an elite, secretive gentlemen's club in the California redwoods—his life takes a tragic turn when his wife, Madeleine, dies of lung cancer.

Following a hiatus and a disastrous return to the air, Delroy plans a "Live Occult Special" for Halloween 1977. This episode is the centerpiece of the film. The audience watches the broadcast as if they were viewers in 1977, complete with commercial break "behind-the-scenes" segments that show the growing tension among the crew.

The Occult Lineup

To ensure the episode is a sensation, Delroy assembles a group of guests designed to provoke conflict and spectacle:

  • Christou: A flamboyant psychic medium who claims to communicate with the dead.
  • Carmichael Haig: A professional skeptic and former magician, clearly inspired by the real-life James Randi, who offers a large cash prize to anyone who can prove the existence of the supernatural.
  • Dr. June Ross-Mitchell: A parapsychologist and author who has been treating a young girl.
  • Lilly: A 13-year-old survivor of a satanic cult mass suicide, who claims to be possessed by an entity she calls "Mr. Wriggles."

David Dastmalchian and the Performance of Desperation

At the center of the film is David Dastmalchian’s portrayal of Jack Delroy. Dastmalchian, often a character actor in major blockbusters, perfectly captures the "sleazy-yet-charismatic" energy of a 1970s TV personality. His performance highlights the profound desperation of a man who has lost his moral compass in the pursuit of fame.

As the broadcast progresses, Dastmalchian portrays Delroy’s internal collapse with subtlety. Every time the "ON AIR" sign lights up, he masks his grief and terror with a practiced, toothy grin. It is this human element—the raw hunger for validation—that makes the supernatural elements of the film feel earned. The viewers are not just watching a ghost story; they are watching a man sell his soul in real-time.

The Aesthetics of Analog Horror

What sets Late Night with the Devil apart from typical found footage films is its commitment to the 1970s aesthetic. The filmmakers used period-correct cameras, lighting, and practical effects to recreate the look of a live television recording.

Technical Mastery and Practical Effects

The film utilizes "baked-in" visual artifacts, such as tracking lines and color bleeding, which are hallmarks of the analog era. The gore and supernatural manifestations are largely handled with practical puppetry and prosthetics, which gives the film a tactile, visceral quality that CGI often lacks. In our analysis of the film's visual impact, the scene involving "worms" pouring out of a character—revealed to be a mass hypnosis—stands out as a masterpiece of practical trickery that rewards attentive viewers.

What is the Significance of The Grove?

A recurring theme in the film is Jack Delroy’s connection to "The Grove." This is a thinly veiled reference to the Bohemian Grove, a real-life restricted campground in California where powerful men gather for private retreats.

In the film, The Grove represents the dark intersection of power, secrecy, and the occult. It is suggested throughout the narrative that Jack’s success was not merely a result of his talent, but a consequence of a pact made under the "tall trees." This sub-plot adds a layer of folk horror to the urban setting of a television studio, suggesting that the "Devil" Jack invited onto his show was a guest he had already met long ago.

Late Night with the Devil Ending Explained

The climax of the film is a surreal, psychedelic descent into madness. After Lilly becomes fully possessed and begins to manifest violent telekinetic powers, the broadcast descends into chaos. Jack is transported into a dreamlike void where he relives his past traumas and his time at The Grove.

The "big reveal" is that Jack’s wife’s cancer was the price of his pact. The entity, Abraxas, reveals that Jack sacrificed Madeleine’s soul for the ratings he so desperately craved. In a final, horrific moment, Jack is convinced he is putting his wife out of her misery by stabbing her ghost with a ritual dagger, only to find himself back in the studio, having murdered Lilly on live television.

The sirens in the distance signify the end of Jack’s career and his freedom, while the "Devil" he sought to exploit for ratings has finally collected its debt.

Addressing the AI Controversy

Upon its release, Late Night with the Devil faced criticism for using three brief AI-generated images for its "We’ll be right back" title cards. While some viewers found this disappointing in a film that otherwise celebrates practical artistry, the directors clarified that these were experimental additions made during the editing process. Despite the backlash, the film’s overall craftsmanship and its 97% Rotten Tomatoes score suggest that most critics viewed the controversy as a minor blemish on an otherwise stellar production.

Why the 1970s Setting Matters

The 1970s was an era defined by the "Satanic Panic" and a fascination with the occult (The Exorcist, The Omen). By setting the film in 1977, the Cairnes brothers tap into the genuine cultural anxiety of that time. Late-night television was the primary window into the adult world for many, and the idea that something evil could "leak" through the screen into the living rooms of America is a powerful metaphor for the intrusive nature of media.

Is Late Night with the Devil Based on a True Story?

While the film is a work of fiction, it draws heavily from real-life inspirations:

  1. James Randi: The character of Carmichael Haig is a direct homage to James Randi, a famous magician who spent his life debunking psychics and offering the "One Million Dollar Paranormal Challenge."
  2. Don Lane and James Randi: In 1980, a real-life confrontation occurred on the Australian Don Lane Show where Randi’s skepticism led to a legendary on-air meltdown by the host.
  3. Ghostwatch (1992): The film's format is heavily influenced by the BBC's Ghostwatch, a mockumentary that convinced thousands of British viewers that a live haunting was occurring on their television screens.

Conclusion

Late Night with the Devil is more than just a horror movie; it is a meticulously crafted love letter to the golden age of television and a cautionary tale about the price of fame. By combining the tropes of analog horror with a deep character study, the Cairnes brothers have created a film that feels both nostalgic and terrifyingly relevant. Whether you are a fan of supernatural entities or a student of media history, this film offers a uniquely unsettling experience that lingers long after the credits roll.

FAQ

How long is Late Night with the Devil?

The film has a runtime of approximately 1 hour and 33 minutes (93 minutes), making it a tight, fast-paced experience that doesn't overstay its welcome.

Where can I watch Late Night with the Devil?

As of mid-2024, the film is available for streaming on Shudder and AMC+. It is also available for purchase or rental on digital platforms like Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Vudu.

Is Late Night with the Devil scary?

The film relies more on atmospheric dread and "cringe-inducing" tension than jump scares. However, the final 20 minutes contain graphic violence, gore, and disturbing imagery that may be intense for some viewers.

What is the age rating for Late Night with the Devil?

The film is rated R for its use of profanity, sexual references, violent content, and gore. It is intended for mature audiences.

Who is the entity Abraxas in the movie?

In the film's lore, Abraxas is the demonic entity worshipped by the satanic cult Lilly belonged to. It is the force that Jack inadvertently (or perhaps intentionally) invites into the studio to boost his ratings.