Late Night with the Devil
Late Night with the Devil is a 2023 Australian supernatural horror film written, directed, and edited by brothers Colin Cairnes and Cameron Cairnes.[1] The story is presented in a mockumentary style mimicking 1970s found footage, centering on fictional late-night talk show host Jack Delroy, played by David Dastmalchian, whose live Halloween broadcast in 1977 spirals into chaos after featuring a supposedly demon-possessed teenage girl as a guest.[1] Intended to boost ratings amid the host's personal and professional struggles, the episode unleashes malevolent supernatural forces on the studio audience and crew.[2] The film premiered at South by Southwest on March 11, 2023, and received a limited theatrical release in the United States on March 22, 2024, distributed by IFC Films, followed by streaming on Shudder.[1] It garnered critical acclaim for its tense atmosphere, Dastmalchian's lead performance, and innovative blend of period talk-show aesthetics with horror elements, earning a 97% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on 238 reviews.[2] Commercially, the indie production surpassed $10 million in domestic box office earnings, with its third day grossing precisely $666,666, and later broke viewership records on Shudder.[3][4] A notable controversy arose from the film's limited use of AI-generated images for brief, period-specific interstitial graphics, disclosed by the directors as predating major industry strikes on the issue; this prompted boycott calls from some online horror enthusiasts, though the minimal application—described as "very brief"—did not hinder the film's positive reception or success.[5][6] The backlash, amplified on platforms like Letterboxd, highlighted tensions over emerging technologies in filmmaking but was critiqued by supporters as disproportionate given the film's artistic merits and the directors' transparency.[3]Synopsis
Plot summary
Late Night with the Devil depicts a live television broadcast from October 31, 1977, presented as recovered footage of the Halloween episode of the fictional syndicated talk show Night Owls, hosted by Jack Delroy in a bid to rival Johnny Carson's ratings.[7][8] The episode's guests include psychic author Christou, skeptic and parapsychology critic Carmichael Haig, and a supposedly demon-possessed teenage girl named Lily, accompanied by her parapsychologist handler June Rosslin.[9] The narrative unfolds in real time through the broadcast, interspersing on-air segments with behind-the-scenes crew footage captured on handheld cameras.[10] As the show advances into a planned séance segment, increasingly disturbing supernatural phenomena disrupt the production, culminating in widespread chaos.[11]Cast
Principal cast and roles
David Dastmalchian portrays Jack Delroy, the host of the fictional late-night talk show Night Owls, embodying a charismatic entertainer grappling with career stagnation and personal desperation that propels the film's interpersonal conflicts.[12] His performance marks a pivotal lead role, earning acclaim for its intensity and nuance in a genre context.[2] Laura Gordon plays Dr. June Ross-Mitchell, a parapsychologist who serves as an expert guest, providing scientific perspective amid the show's escalating supernatural themes.[12] Ian Bliss depicts Carmichael Haig, known as Carmichael the Conjurer, a stage magician and skeptic whose rational demeanor contrasts with the program's occult elements, heightening dramatic tensions.[12] Fayssal Bazzi appears as Christou, a psychic medium whose flamboyant style introduces mystical claims that challenge the guests' dynamics.[13] Ingrid Torelli stars as Lily (full name Lilly D'Abo), the young subject of paranormal investigation, whose presence anchors the film's core supernatural confrontations.[12]| Actor | Role | Description |
|---|---|---|
| David Dastmalchian | Jack Delroy | Charismatic late-night host whose ambition and turmoil drive key interactions; standout lead performance praised for psychological depth.[12][2] |
| Laura Gordon | Dr. June Ross-Mitchell | Parapsychologist expert fostering debate between science and the occult.[12] |
| Ian Bliss | Carmichael Haig | Skeptical magician injecting rationality and conflict into the guest lineup.[12] |
| Fayssal Bazzi | Christou | Eccentric psychic contributing mystical flair and provocation.[13] |
| Ingrid Torelli | Lilly D'Abo | Adolescent focal point for supernatural inquiry, central to escalating tensions.[12][14] |