This 1977 Found‑Footage Talk Show Goes Dark — David Dastmalchian Stars in Late Night with the Devil
Late Night with the Devil is a 2024 found-footage horror film directed by Colin and Cameron Cairnes that stages a fictional 1977 late-night TV broadcast and its backstage recordings. It stars David Dastmalchian as host Jack Delroy and uses practical, period-style effects to build tension and dread in real time.
Overview
The film frames itself as recovered footage from a Halloween episode of a late-night talk show. In addition to the staged broadcast, the Cairnes brothers include backstage black-and-white recordings to create a layered, documentary feel. The runtime unfolds mostly in real time, which keeps the pacing tight and the atmosphere claustrophobic.
Style and effects
The production leans on practical effects and period techniques to evoke 1977 television. Consequently, the effects avoid modern CGI polish and instead use tactile methods—like exposed film imagery and in-camera tricks—to signal a supernatural presence. Moreover, the film intentionally looks and feels like analog TV footage, which strengthens the found-footage conceit.
Specific visual touches
Examples include writhing worms and images that appear to tear through film stock. These moments are designed to be unsettling because they feel physically present and contemporaneous with the broadcast, rather than digitally layered afterwards.
Plot and performances
David Dastmalchian plays Jack Delroy, a talk-show host who seeks a ratings boost after personal loss and slipping popularity. The episode’s lineup features a medium whose authenticity is in question, a magician-turned-debunker, and a young girl who might be possessed after involvement with a notorious cult.
Additionally, Rhys Auteri appears as Gus, Jack’s sidekick, and the cast leans into the era’s talk-show rhythms. Dastmalchian’s performance moves between humor and desperation; as a result, the character’s moral compromises and theatricality become central to the film’s tension.
Where to watch
Late Night with the Devil is available on several streaming platforms. Specifically, it streams on Shudder, Hulu, and Kanopy. Also, it can be rented or purchased on digital stores, including Amazon.
For a quick look at the film’s tone and visuals, the official trailer is available here:
Finally, the film has been featured in seasonal horror roundups and is often recommended for viewers who enjoy retro-styled supernatural stories with a slow build and a twist ending.
