Late Night With The Devil – REVIEW
Image: LATE NIGHT WITH THE DEVIL film still
This horror comedy was filmed in Melbourne and is an international co-production between Australia and the United Arab Emirates.
The story is reportedly based on the lost tape of a US late-night talk show which went terribly wrong on Halloween in 1977.
Jack Delroy hosts a late-night talk show called Night Owls which airs five nights a week. When his reputation slides and ratings fall as his contract is due to expire, it’s decided to present a potential ratings bonanza spooky Halloween special which should save the show from cancellation.
He books a psychic, a skeptic and a parapsychologist accompanied by a young girl who survived a satanic church’s mass suicide and is presumedly possessed by the devil.
When one of the guests dies under strange circumstances and there’s evidence of satanic possession during the recording, people associated with the show start to wonder whether it’s a talk show or a freak show. “It’s not about ratings anymore – it’s about sorcery!” exclaims a crew member as he walks off fearful for his life.
Are these supernatural events staged to garner high ratings and save the show or are there real demonic forces at play? It’s proving to be the most watched program since man walked on the moon, but will anybody live to tell the tale? Will this ultimately be the late-night show that shocked a nation?
Filmed in found footage style which compounds to the realism, this hilarious and simultaneously horrifying movie satirically highlights that late night talk shows are not only entertaining but can also be frighteningly dangerous when least expected.
Unsuspecting audiences will be watching a late-night talk show, typical of those which were telecast on Australian television during the late ’70’s, while seemingly seated at home in their favourite armchair as the show goes live to air.
Digital visual effects and the use of puppetry intensify the demonic scenes, several seemingly borrowed from the hit movie The Exorcist.
Actor David Dastmalchian credibly portrays Jack Delroy, a man who is scared his illustrious career may permanently be coming to an end.
Late Night With The Devil is surprisingly alluring and unique satanic viewing. Iconic horror author Stephen King apparently loved this movie exclaiming, “It’s absolutely brilliant! I couldn’t take my eyes off it!”
★★★★
In cinemas April 11
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