Nerds That Geek Movie Review: ‘Late Night with the Devil’

4/22/2024

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Laura Gordon, Ingrid Torelli, David Dastmalchian, and Ian Bliss as June Ross-Mitchell, Lilly, Jack Delroy, and Carmichael Haig in olin Cairnes and Cameron Cairnes’ LATE NIGHT WITH THE DEVIL. (Photo Courtesy of Courtesy of IFC Films and Shudder. An IFC Films and Shudder Release.)

Caution: This article contains spoilers for the motion picture, ‘Late Night with the Devil’.

One particular question that we’ve either answered or asked to others, is just how far someone is willing to go, to have the dreams they desire. And what’s amazing is that everyone has answered or will answer this question in the exact same manner. In that, they would/will do whatever it takes to get that dream in hand. Because we firmly believe that is what must happen to bring forth our dreams and the happiness, we are eager to enjoy in this life, so we say that and ponder deeply upon what that entails and that is when… that question takes on new life for us. Because we also come to understand, that answer isn’t the right one at all.

Because anything means ANYTHING, and that might not be the way to handle this. Because anything will cause strife, or worse. If anything, that particular question and the potential fallout from following that answer to a tee is top of mind today, simply because it is explored in the most unique manner possible in the new Shudder feature, Late Night with the Devil. A grandiose and powerhouse horror story that opts to inject supernatural elements into that question, the kind where perhaps… someone pondered upon the possibility that anything could include, speaking with dark forces to have what one desires.

A feat that this film accomplishes by taking us back to Halloween, 1977, where Jack Delroy, the host of Night Owls with Jack Delroy, is in the midst of a desperate gambit. For despite carving out a niche market as late night’s number two host, Jack’s ratings have been suffering and his show appears to be in decline. In part because, Jack recently lost his wife to cancer and hasn’t been himself since her passing, but also, because his blurred vision has allowed for others to muck up the soul of his show. But on this night, Jack plans to execute quite the show to save his career. For Jack plans to host an occult themed Halloween episode, one complete with elements that have never been seen in the mainstream, but there is just one problem with this plan. In that, one of his guests is actually host to an ancient and dark being, and it is eager to be seen by the masses and will go all-out to showcase its power and its ties to folks within the studio.

Which really is… the perfect way to explore that central theme. Because Jack is, indeed, number two behind Johnny Carson and his iconic The Tonight Show, despite being a host that people love and adore, and he wants that number one slot so badly… he did in fact toy with evil and made asks of darkness to have what he wants. All of which makes this a cautionary tale that expresses how doing whatever it takes to be number one is a terrible idea. One that will hurt those we love, ostracize them, and push them away. Or in the case of this story, bring forth bloodshed and loss, and outright terror and suffering. All of which is unnecessary in this instance, since Jack has found success and has a fan base that loves him dearly and had he pondered upon that, perhaps he could have embraced his role as a solid alternative and enjoyed those spoils instead. Making this a tragedy of sorts as well.

But make no mistake about it, while there are a lot of lessons present here, this is still at its core a horror story and this movie outright delivers on such matters. In fact, what makes this movie so impressive is the sheer fact that it uses Jack’s good nature and hopefulness to suck you into what becomes a waking nightmare. One whose downward spiral is unsettling and well, that brings forth some stunning horror to say the least. The kind that features jump scares and visuals that nauseate and terrify, and the movie harbors an ending that is incredibly wild and horrifying and well, all of these elements make this, an outright brilliant feature through and through. In large part, because of solid scares and incredible gore that are used in an impactful and meaningful manner. The kind that truly gets under your skin and leaves you deeply disturbed.

But also, because it features a human story. One that we can relate to and one that satirizes the perfection that we pursue but can never achieve, and how that is just as damaging as the expectations that surround success and, in many ways, it speaks to how…we don’t know how to define success really. All of which is expressed through some amazing performances, with David Dastmalchian leading the way as Jack Delroy. Since he brings a real nuance to the tortured nature of Jack, the kind that we both pity and revile and well, perhaps calling this feature brilliant doesn’t do it justice. For it is also, a perfect horror film. One that features all the best tenets of the genre. For it is smart, engaging, and downright terrifying from beginning to end and it is a horror feature that you absolutely must-see the first chance you get. Because this one, really is that rare scary story, that truly has it all.

Watch ‘Late Night with the Devil’

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