Posted by There is something undeniably creepy about little girls in horror films, be it The Exorcist, The Shining, Poltergeist, The Ring and Hereditary to name but a few. This well worn trope is used in Late Night With The Devil, a supernatural horror written and directed by brothers Colin and Cameron Cairnes.
Set in 1977 on the fictitious late night American chat show Night Owls with Jack Delroy. Beset by personal tragedy and with his viewing figures taking a nosedive, Jack Delroy (David Dastmalchian) hopes a Halloween special with lots of shock value will revive his fortunes. Among the guests is Lilly (Ingrid Torelli), a young girl who is apparently possessed by a demon. Over the course of the show things go pear shaped and the audience gets more than they bargained for.
The drama and the tension slowly but surely build in this gripping horror, which plays out like a mockumentary slash found footage film. It perfectly depicts the era, from the TV and fashion right down to the people, in a naturalistic way and it gradually lures you in. It puts the frighteners on you without relying on jump scares, which is always a bonus. It does go a bit bonkers at the end though which is seemingly standard protocol for the genre these days, but it has earned this madcap climax.
The acting is believable and really helps sell the found footage feel. Among the standouts are Ian Bliss, he plays the professional cynic Carmichael with an upturned sneer and plenty of scoffs and the aforementioned Ingrid Torelli who captures the juxtaposition between sweet innocence and evil wickedness and gives off Linda Blair from The Exorcist vibes. Not forgetting David Dasmlchian, he of Dune and Blade Runner 2049, who fills the vulnerable Jack Delroy with a greed to succeed and a jittery energy.
Late Night With The Devil is a gripping horror film with steady pacing and the richly depicted setting that keeps your interest, leaving you afraid to look away from the screen.
8/10.
Lofty Music and Film 