“Late Night with the Devil” is a horror film created by Cameron and Colin Cairnes. It premiered in March 2023 at the SXSW festival, receiving excellent reviews. Many see this film as a gateway for Australian filmmakers into Hollywood. The Cairnes brothers are known for their affinity for retro aesthetics and 1970s television vibes.
A Retro-Style Horror Experience
The film is styled as a recording from a late-night talk show called “Night Owls,” set during Halloween 1977. Jack Delroy, played by David Dastmalchian, struggles to keep his declining audience engaged. His solution is to invite controversial guests linked to occult themes. What begins as a television spectacle quickly transforms into a nightmare broadcast live.
A Unique Cinematic Blend
“Late Night with the Devil” innovatively combines found footage style with a carefully recreated retro atmosphere. It captures the intense societal fear of satanism that gripped America in the 1970s and 1980s while embodying the powerful essence of late-night television. This film achieved a 97% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, a significant accomplishment in contemporary cinema.
Among its fans is renowned horror author Stephen King, who praised the film as “absolutely genius.” His endorsement encouraged many to watch it. Critics have compared the film’s tension and simplicity to a “ticking bomb,” as noted by Amy Nicholson in the “Los Angeles Times.”
Critical Acclaim
Industry experts like Dennis Harvey from “Variety” remarked on the balance between pop culture irony and chilling horror elements. Phil Hoad from the “Guardian” highlighted the film’s ability to convey the horror of television from that era. Additionally, Wendy Ide described it as “smart, cynical, and sometimes devilishly funny.”
Alissa Wilkinson from the “New York Times” noted that the film cleverly subverted the warm atmosphere typically associated with late-night TV, instead layering horrors of demon possession, satanism, and the occult.
Controversies and Reception
As expected, the film’s horror themes stirred controversies. Some viewers criticized the filmmakers for employing artificial intelligence in creating components of the 1970s visual style. The Cairnes brothers clarified that AI was only used for three static images, later refined by their team of artists. They emphasized that this was merely an experiment in their broader artistic endeavor.
Despite such controversies, “Late Night with the Devil” remains a nearly flawless film. It’s well-acted and maintains suspense from start to finish. Its presence on Netflix demonstrates that viewers today crave originality in horror films—pieces that not only terrify but also captivate. You can watch it on Netflix as well as platforms like Canal+ VOD, Prime Video, Player, Apple TV, and Rakuten TV.
