The concept of a horror movie unfolding within the eerie ambiance of a late-night show gone awry is a spine-chilling premise that seems ripe for exploration. Such is the foundation of Cameron and Colin Cairnes’ cinematic endeavor, “Late Night with the Devil,” a harrowing blend of found footage and possession mystery. This cinematic venture garnered commendable attention at SXSW last year, only to find itself ensnared in controversy more recently due to an AI dispute over the utilization of three interstitial images, check out the Late Night with the Devil’s ending explained.
At its core, “Late Night with the Devil” weaves a twisted narrative around a young girl named Lilly (portrayed by Ingrid Torelli), purportedly ensnared by demonic forces, the dedicated physician attending to her (played by Laura Gordon), and the troubled late-night host Jack Delroy (brought to life by David Dastmalchian), whose insatiable thirst for ratings drives him to traverse uncharted territories.
But what unfolds within the frames of this dark tale, and what lies beneath the unsettling conclusion of the film? Let us delve deeper into the abyss.
Delving into the Depths of “Late Night with the Devil”
The crux of the movie revolves around the unearthing of the “master tape” documenting a notorious Halloween broadcast of “Night Owls with Jack Delroy,” a fictitious late-night program hailing from the 1970s, perpetually lingering in the imposing shadow of Johnny Carson. Delroy, grappling with the recent loss of his wife to cancer and plagued by rumors linking him to an enigmatic cabal of elites, faces the imminent threat of plummeting ratings and potential sponsorship abandonment.
Nevertheless, a glimmer of hope flickers as Delroy concocts a scheme to salvage his sinking career. Enter Dr. June Ross-Mitchell, a parapsychologist treating Lilly, the lone survivor of a cult worshiping a malevolent entity known as Abraxas. Whispers of Lilly’s purported possession permeate the air, fueling Delroy’s audacious plan for a late-night spectacle to rejuvenate his show’s viewership. Yet, as the night unfolds, sinister forces come to the fore.
An unsettling sequence unfolds as Lilly’s fixation on Delroy grows unsettlingly intense, the enigmatic guest Christou meets a tragic fate offstage, and the demonstrations spiral into chaos.
The Harrowing Culmination
Rather than concluding the broadcast, Delroy opts to replay Lilly’s unsettling demonstration, aiming to convince skeptic Carmichael Haig of its authenticity. However, as the tape rolls, a chilling revelation emerges. Amidst the playback, Delroy discerns a spectral apparition of his deceased wife looming behind him on stage. Before he can grasp the gravity of this revelation, pandemonium erupts.
Lilly undergoes a grotesque transformation, transcending mere possession to become a vessel of unholy terror. As chaos ensues and guests meet grisly demises, Delroy finds himself ensnared in a nightmarish maelstrom of memories. In the film’s climactic moments, he confronts haunting visions of his past, confronting the devastating truth of his sacrifices.
Unraveling the Enigma
From its inception, “Late Night with the Devil” hints at themes of sacrifice lurking in the shadows. As Delroy’s trajectory unfolds, it becomes apparent that his ascent to fame was paved with unspeakable costs. The enigmatic Grove, a clandestine fraternity steeped in ritualistic secrecy, emerges as a crucible of power and influence, extracting a toll far beyond Delroy’s imaginings.
In the end, as sirens wail in the distance and Delroy awakens to the grim reality of his actions, the true horror of his fate becomes chillingly clear. Trapped in the labyrinth of his own making, Delroy stands alone amidst the carnage, a shattered reflection of a man consumed by his insatiable thirst for success.
In essence, “Late Night with the Devil” transcends the confines of conventional horror, weaving a tapestry of terror and intrigue that lingers long after the credits roll.
And with that Late Night with the Devil’s ending explained.