Release Date – 22nd March 2024, Cert – 15, Run-time – 1 hour 32 minutes, Directors – Cameron Cairnes, Colin Cairnes
With his talk show failing in the ratings host Jack Delroy (David Dastmalchian) attempts to put on a live edition meddling with the occult, however as the effects break out of the studio the end of the golden age of talk shows nears.
Despite insistence from his staff that things are getting out of hand Jack Delroy (David Dastmalchian) powers through his live broadcast, being branded “the biggest TV event since the moon landing”. The host made a successful transition to the screen from radio – Dastmalchian mastering the radio-to-TV voice – and is determined to overcome failing ratings to Johnny Carson’s increasingly popular Tonight Show. The way to do this is through a live broadcast, inviting mystics, hypnotists and people who have dealt with possession to discuss the occult and psychic powers. The documentary-style opening sets the scene and tells us that what we’re about to see is restored footage from the original live broadcast, with added behind the scenes details. From there the chaos builds up until a frantic and genuinely scary ending.
Where Late Night With The Devil best succeeds is in its attention to detail. The set, the conversations, including wisecracks from Delroy, and the initial awkwardness as things start to break down feel so authentic to the golden age of talk shows. With the box-like aspect ratio of the broadcast segments the feeling is heightened that little bit more to make something truly believable. Bringing about both humour and increasing tension when things start to break out of the TV studio.
Even with professional debunker Carmichael Hunt (Ian Bliss) on hand to reveal what’s really happening and how the audience at home and in the studio are being duped there’s still an eerie sense combatting against his rational explanations. Yet, aren’t the destructive occurrences – especially as Jack welcomes a young girl (Ingrid Torelli) living with a demon inside her which perhaps knows something about the host’s tragic past – all just part of the unpredictable course of live TV? That’s why it’s done, right?
As things develop and new guests appear, conflicting with each other and the ensuing developments of the broadcast, the creepiness enhances. It’s hard not to be gripped by the film with its simplistic yet highly effective course, helped by the attention to detail, and the fast flow, in how the allegedly broadcast bulk of the film works. The entire cast and crew comes together to make a more engaging and effective piece of work. Understanding and capturing the style with an accuracy which brings in both natural laughs and eventual eeriness. With the opening giving the needed context it also sets the tone for a truly enjoyable 90 minutes with a real entertainment, not to mention thrill, factor. As if grinning with the audience preparing for what’s to come.
As things start to fly (quite literally) it all feels justified and contained within what has been built up. Questions still slightly circulate as to how much of what we’re seeing is set-up simply to mess with the viewer (à la Ghostwatch) and how much is more supernatural. The lines blur masterfully within Dastmalchian’s professionality-maintaining expressions in front of the camera and frustrated exclamations behind the scenes – “I’m trying to save this f*cking show!” Everything comes together to make for an excellent quasi-mockumentary powered by a top central performance superglued to the detail of its surroundings. Amusing and chilling it flies by, and I can’t wait to experience it again.
David Dastmalchian shines in a performance as detailed as its surroundings, capturing an authentic golden age of talk shows vibe, everything comes together to create amusement and tension, brilliantly built up in equal measure for full effect in the whirling finale.
Just A Little Bit Random 