A. Imaginary was awful. Just awful. Don’t waste your time and your money. 1 STAR
B. Saw an advanced screening of Late Night with the Devil last night. My thoughts:
Set on Halloween night 1977, Jack Delray (David Dastmalchian) is the host of late night talk show Night Owls. While the show premiered at the number 2 spot behind The Late Show, it’s now found itself at #39. Personally tested after a tragedy, Jack is back, and he has a very special Halloween episode planned, one he hopes will finally help him beat Carson. The broadcast spirals wildly out of control as supernatural forces interfere.
Late Night with the Devil is directed and written by Cameron and Colin Cairnes (100 Bloody Acres). The film is very much in the same vein as ‘Ghostwatch’. From the production design (Otello Stolfo) to the cinematography (Matthew Temple) to the 4:3 aspect ratio, Late Night feels like you are watching a real 70s late night talk show. The proceedings aren’t the scariest stuff you’ll see, but they are plenty freaky, intense, and shocking.
Rhys Auteri fits the role of Gus McConnell, the second-man to Jack, very well. He is believable and humourous. He feels like a real second-man you’d find on a talk show. Georgina Haig is empathetic and memorable as Jack’s wife, Madeleine. She makes the most out of her limited screen time. Laura Gordon is very likable as June Ross-Mitchell, a doctor who has been treating a young girl who might be possessed. She has concerns and qualms with Jack’s plans for the evening. Finally, Ingrid Torelli is unsettling and freaky as Lily D’Abo, said possessed girl. She has her own plans for the broadcast, as Jack will soon find out.
While all of the cast do great jobs, it’s David Dastmalchian as struggling, desperate talk show host Jack Delroy who commands the screen and runs away with the show. Dastmalchian is incredibly likable, charismatic, and funny in the role (Oh yes, Late Night isn’t afraid to be quite funny at times). He makes for a perfect talk show host, to the point where I would be thrilled if he were to actually become one in real life. I’d watch every episode.
Late Night with the Devil does suffer from some pacing issues, as it’s structured like an actual talk show with BTS footage sprinkled throughout. That said, it’s always a ton of fun and it isn’t afraid to get weird. There’s also minimal CGI, relying mostly on practical effects. Complete with a shocking ending, Late Night is sure to be an absolute crowd pleaser. It’s a very cool film. Horror fans are in for a treat! Late Night with the Devil premieres in theaters on March 22. It drops on Shudder close to a month later on April 19. Either way is a great way to watch this soon-to-be cult classic. SEE IT WHEN YOU CAN!
4.5 STARS