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- Late Night with the Devil Is a Spine-Tingling Tale of Possession
- Directing Duo Controversially Experiments with AI in Late Night with the Devil
- Late Night with the Devil Becomes an Acclaimed Triumph
As a seasoned film critic who has witnessed the rise and fall of countless cinematic masterpieces, I must say that Late Night with the Devil is undoubtedly one of the most captivating, terrifying, and thought-provoking films I have seen in recent years. Having attended countless premieres, red carpet events, and film festivals, it’s rare to find a movie that leaves such an indelible mark on my psyche.
The most recent horror sensation causing a stir in the streaming scene is the widely-talked-about supernatural thriller “Late Night with the Devil,” set on Halloween night in 1977. It revolves around a captivating but desperate talk show host, who aims to boost his faltering career by hosting a spine-chilling holiday special featuring a young girl claimed to be possessed by a demon. As you might expect, things quickly spiral out of control for the flustered host and viewers alike, as they bear witness to the terrifying events unfolding right before them.
The horror film, titled “Late Night with the Devil,” was both critically acclaimed and financially successful upon its release on March 22, 2024. However, it stirred up controversy when viewers found AI-related scenes in the movie, leading some to boycott it. In this article, we delve into the drama surrounding “Late Night with the Devil” and how its directors responded to the backlash, while also discussing why the film continued to thrive on the big screen despite the controversy.
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Late Night with the Devil Is a Spine-Tingling Tale of Possession
In the spine-tingling 2023 supernatural horror sensation titled “Late Night with the Devil“, the determined but struggling talk show host, Jack Delroy (David Dastmalchian), seeks to rejuvenate his flagging career and revitalize his once influential late-night program, “Night Owls“. For years, this show catered to insomniacs nationwide and provided stiff competition for “The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson“. To increase the ratings of his late-night series, Delroy devises a chilling occult-themed special episode on Halloween 1977 and extends an invitation to a young girl who is rumored to be possessed, for an interview.
13-year-old Lilly D’Abo (played by Ingrid Torelli) alleges she is being harassed by a malevolent spirit, accompanied by parapsychologist author June Ross-Mitchell (Laura Gordon), who has been assisting the distressed adolescent. Following the heartbreaking demise of his wife Madeleine, Delroy focuses on crafting an exciting and spectacular Halloween special. Moreover, he extends an invitation to a psychic and a former magician-turned-skeptic to add intrigue and commentary to the eerie episode.
In a blend of documentary-style and found footage, Late Night with the Devil spotlights Delroy and his dedicated audience as they bear witness to chilling incidents and enigmatic occurrences during the fateful October broadcast. This event would leave an indelible mark on not only Delroy but also the assorted guests he interviewed, transforming their lives forever. As the charismatic host grapples with unimaginable horrors and evil beyond words, long-buried secrets from his murky past begin to surface.
Directing Duo Controversially Experiments with AI in Late Night with the Devil
In “Late Night with the Devil,” a chilling production helmed by the Cairnes siblings, Colin and Cameron, David Dastmalchian was cast as Jack Delroy. This decision came after Dastmalchian penned an article about horror TV hosts for Fangoria magazine. As they pursued him, the directors sent Dastmalchian a lookbook reminiscent of a 1970s TV Guide, along with the script. However, in the days leading up to its official release, both the film and its creators faced criticism for utilizing AI-generated artwork during a montage sequence – a detail omitted in the version screened at the South by Southwest Film Festival.
Despite the movie’s extensive use of both practical special effects such as puppetry and digital visual effects, there was a significant backlash against Late Night with the Devil. Critics accused it of relying too heavily on AI instead of employing actual artists, leading to calls for a boycott. In response, the Cairnes brothers clarified that they had only utilized AI for three still images in their creative process. The filmmakers praised their skilled cast and crew for their exceptional contributions to the project, highlighting their hard work in bringing it to life. They shared this message with Variety before its premiere.
Working hand-in-hand with our exceptional graphics and set design team who put in countless hours to achieve the ’70s look we envisioned, we also dabbled in AI technology for three specific still images. After editing these images further, they ended up as short transitions within the movie.
Actor David Dastmalchian echoed the views of the film’s directors, expressing sadness over public outcry about the minimal use of AI, considering the dedicated effort of the production team. He pointed out that such criticism undermines their significant contributions to the movie. During his conversation with Kevin McCarthy, Dastmalchian mentioned that he observed graphic artists employ AI for title-card images in the film. Furthermore, he emphasized the necessity of discussing AI’s role in Hollywood, as the movie was shot before the writer’s strike.
In my opinion, they expressed their thoughts clearly, and I fully support their views. I wholeheartedly endorse this movie as a unique masterpiece that required countless hours of dedication and skill to create its stunning visual artistry. Therefore, discussing it is valuable and necessary. It’s an essential discussion we should engage in.
Late Night with the Devil Becomes an Acclaimed Triumph
In spite of the debate and resistance from some dissatisfied viewers regarding Late Night with the Devil, the film premiered in theaters on March 22, 2024, and generated $2.8 million in its initial three days, marking a new high for IFC Films and representing their most successful opening weekend to date. Remarkably (or perhaps unsettlingly) enough, numerous media outlets reported that the horror blockbuster earned an estimated $666,666 on its third day, concluding its box office run with a substantial $15.4 million in earnings.
Enthusiasts and critics, alike, were left astounded by Dastmalchian’s intricate and progressively tormented depiction of the unsettling host, as well as the film’s stunning tribute to the 1970s and its genuinely chilling production design and visuals. The movie, Late Night with the Devil, currently boasts an impressive 97% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a strong 81% approval from viewers via Popcornmeter, with numerous individuals praising the horror masterpiece as one of the standout and most innovative films of the year.
Legendary horror author Stephen King recently watched “Late Night with the Devil” in an advanced screening and couldn’t contain his excitement, tweeting about it: “This is simply outstanding! I couldn’t look away. Of course, your experience might differ, but I strongly recommend catching it whenever you can.” If you’re intrigued and eager to experience the heart-stopping thrills of this chilling masterpiece (including AI elements), you can catch it on Hulu, as it currently ranks as the second most-streamed film on their Top 15 Movies Today list. Watch “Late Night with the Devil” on Hulu now.
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2024-10-29 00:31