'Late Night with the Devil' is a variation on the "found footage" school of horror movies, one that might be dubbed "archival horror" or "docu-horror". The film begins with brief documentary style context setting, then purports to show the master tape, along with behind the scenes footage, of an infamous live television event, the October 31st, 1977 episode of 'Night Owls with Jack Delroy'.
Delory is played by David Dastmalchin, a name you probably don't recognize but a face you probably do, he was part of Micheal Pena's crew in the 'Antman' movies, his is also probably the only face you'd recognize in this film. Delory is a late night talk show host seemingly modeled after Dick Cavett, as evidenced by the side burns, the set and the stage actress wife. Perpetually in second place to Johnny Carson, and with his contract soon to be up for uncertain renewal, Delory and his producer are planning a big, live Halloween show for the first night of sweeps.
In addition to a genericy musical guest, they have scheduled a gaudy psychic, a magican turned professional skeptic (ala James Randi), and a doctor and patient duo, a parapsycholist with a book to sell and her ward, a 13 year old girl with a history of demonic possession. From an awkward opening the show consistently goes wrong, the sense of foreboding and chaos build to what, had it really happened, would surely have been the most infamous night in television history.
The film really looks its part, it feels like a 1970's TV talk show, period appropriate down to the 4:3 framing. Dastmalchin is perfectly cast, he's really selling it, while the supporting cast, all playing types, do admirable work. The background provided in the films docu style preamble provides use some subtexts to watch out for, including Delroy's involvement in a Bohemian Grove style group of power elites as well as the passing from cancer of his beloved wife the previous year. One can quibble with the ending, though I will tell you the film left me feeling a little unsettled, which in a movie like this is success. ***
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