Late Night with the Devil: Mark Kermode’s horror movie review (video).
Our man of many movies, Mark Kermode, drops in to review the horror film Late Night with the Devil. Just when you thought it was safe to switch on the telly after dark, Late Night with the Devil swoops in with a throwback terror that’ll make you pine for the days of disco and bell-bottoms—albeit with a supernatural twist. Directed by the Cairnes brothers, this film is not your average late-night programming, unless your usual viewings involve possessed teens and live exorcisms.
Set in the groovy era of the 1970s, the movie stars David Dastmalchian as Jack Delroy, the host of Night Owls with Jack Delroy, who, in a desperate bid to spike his ratings, decides Halloween is the perfect time to introduce his audience to a real-life (or so he claims) possession. Cue the spooky music and dim the studio lights; we’re not in Kansas anymore, Toto.
The Cairnes brothers whisk us back to a time when late-night TV was as unpredictable as a game of Russian roulette. Enter Dr. June Ross-Mitchell, a parapsychologist, Carmichael the Conjurer, a skeptic with flair, and Christou, a psychic who probably didn’t see this disaster in the cards. And let’s not forget our possessed darling, played with a chilling innocence by Ingrid Torelli, who might just make your skin crawl more than the average election campaign ad.
David Dastmalchian’s Jack Delroy is the quintessential ’70s showman—part charm, part cheese, and all about the ratings, even if it means dabbling in the dark arts. As the tension cranks up and the stage is set for supernatural showdowns, viewers are left to wonder whether they’re witnessing a genuine descent into demonic despair or just the most elaborate Halloween special this side of the Styx. Filmed with a nostalgic nod to the found footage genre, Late Night with the Devil leverages practical effects, puppetry, and a dash of digital devilry to immerse you in its eerie world. And with a finale that promises more twists than a Chubby Checker concert, you’re in for a treat that’s more treat than trick.
Critics have been raving, with even Stephen King tipping his horror maestro hat to the film’s brilliance. Sure, the pacing might zip along quicker than a greased-up werewolf, but with set design that’s as meticulously ’70s as a fondue set and performances that hit the mark with pinpoint accuracy, you’re in for a devilishly good time. So grab your popcorn (hold the pea soup), turn down the lights, and prepare to be transported back to a time when the scariest thing on TV was usually the fashion. Late Night with the Devil isn’t just a horror flick; it’s a time machine with a direct line to your nightmares. Just remember, if anyone asks you to say “Beetlejuice” three times, change the channel.
