The well-worn “found footage” sub-genre has been long overdue for a proper evolution. The sub-genre was popularized in 1999 with the cult classic The Blair Witch Project and immortalized by the financially successful Paranormal Activity franchise. Typically made on a shoestring budget with an emphasis on slow-building tension and minimalism, Hollywood capitalized on this low-risk, high-reward cultural trend to frequently diminishing results. Despite a few notable highlights (VHS, Cloverfield, REC), the novelty of “found footage” films quickly wore off. This makes the success of Late Night with the Devil that much more impressive with its nimble, ingenious construction. With an unusual emphasis on character, a period-specific setting, some unexpected “twists,” and a dark sense of humor, the film transcends the perimeters set by its predecessors.
David Dastmalchian’s Performance Anchors the Material
David Dastmalchian (Oppenheimer, Dune) is a chameleon-like, character actor you’ve probably seen in a dozen films. He disappears into every role (no matter how small) but is rarely seen as a leading man. He has the uncanny ability to elicit a warm, inviting demeanor before subtlety shifting to something dark and cunning. Dastmalchian plays Jack Delroy, the Late Night host of the variety show Night Owls, who will exercise any tactic to boost his plummeting ratings. After a string of what appears to be botched attempts at supernatural “spectacle,” one such opportunity presents itself. He convinces his guest, parapsychologist June Ross-Mitchell (Laura Gordon), to summon the demon inside her subject, Lilly D’Abo (Ingrid Torelli). Though the plot details beyond this point would tip-toe into spoiler territory, it’s safe to say that what transpires is more inventive and unpredictable than audiences might think.
Late Night With the Devil Is a Fresh Direction for Found Footage Horror
Late Night with the Devil subverts expectations by presenting familiar narrative setups before altering their utility and assumed outcomes. Instead of the traditional shaky, hand-held camera aesthetic, we remain static like the studio audience. We watch as each horrific revelation is revealed to us. The 70s-era costuming, flashy set design and low-fi technology suggest we have discovered a real-life broadcast captured on video. From its intricate period detail to its effective use of atmosphere and practical effects, the film remains convincing and transporting. Centering the conflict around a duplicitous, but layered protagonist, makes the audience invest in the narrative beyond its shock value. Late Night with the Devil is a refreshingly innovative addition to a sub-genre quickly losing its way previously.
