The Knockturnal
  • Home
  • Entertainment
  • Music
  • Lifestyle
  • News
  • Videos
  • Covers
  • Merch
EntertainmentFilmThe Latest

Film Review: Analog Scares in “Late Night with the Devil”

by Joshua A. Guttman March 21, 2024
by Joshua A. Guttman March 21, 2024 0 comments
1.9K

Analog horror is slowly growing in popularity.

Spinning out of found footage, analog horror’s visual style reflects analog TVs and VHS to foster a cryptically nostalgic atmosphere. It’s a genre birthed from the internet, originating from YouTube videos and Creepypastas to present short stories of seemingly haunted media. While the genre has typically been found through YouTube (such as Winter of ’83, and The Backrooms), it has in recent years been making its way into feature films.

The cult hit WNUF Halloween Special and the divisive but successful Skinamarink are just a few examples of analog horror creeping its way into the mainstream. The recent release, Late Night with the Devil, directed by brothers Colin and Cameron Cairnes, is not only one of the most high profile examples of analog horror, but an excellent introduction to newcomers.

Framed as a lost tape from the 1977 talk show Night Owls with Jack Delroy, the film is a Halloween special where Jack Delroy (David Dastmelchian), anxious to boost ratings, features a seemingly real demonic possession on his show. The film lives on David Dastmelchian’s performance, as he carries the film as a charismatic and likable talk show host, and as a way in over his head celebrity trying to keep his ship afloat.

Dastmalchain sinks his teeth deep into this character, as through even the most subtle of facial expressions and rushed quiver in his voice, you can feel Dastmelchain struggle to keep his positive attitude and his show. It’s a stellar performance, one that wisps and weaves alongside the film’s tone, from fun and lively to deeply intense.

The film is one giant build, as the Cairnes Brothers perfectly capturing the vibe of a late-night talk show with its production design and natural performances. Ian Bliss as a former magician turned skeptic is particularly fun, giving a blunt, condescending performance that’s very hilarious.

The film alternates between footage of the show and behind the scenes footage that while effectively furthering the story does at times take me out of the film. Even those moments didn’t take me away from the deeply unsettling feel, with creeping scares that include blood curdling gore effects. The scares feel unnatural, otherworldly, perfectly in tone with a cursed broadcast.

Late Night with the Devil is a clever, fun, wild horror film that demonstrates how maintaining a following and create drive was always hell, even in the 70’s. Dastmelchian delivers a powerful lead performance and the Cairnes Brothers’ recreation of a late night 70’s talk show gives the film a nostalgic, throwback vibe, but with a modern creeping anxiety of desperation.

This is easily a favorite of the year so far, and while I absolutely encourage seeing this film in the theater, I’m glad it’s also streaming on Shudder. This is the perfect film to watch late at night on the couch over popcorn and drinks.

Late Night with the Devil will be released in theaters on March 22nd and on Shudder on April 19th.

1970sanalogueDavid Dastmalchianhorrorjohnny carsonReviewShudder
0 comments 0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Joshua A. Guttman

previous post
On The Scene: Sydney Sweeney Partners with Bai to Launch Brand New Flavor and Immersive Tasting Experience in NYC
next post
On The Scene: Finn Wolfhard, Dan Aykroyd, Emily Alyn Lind and More Talk “Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire” at NYC Premiere

Related Posts

Late Development Presents Jamz & Conversation Featuring Legendary...

October 5, 2025

‘Law & Order’ Pop Up Serves Delicious Fun

October 4, 2025

β€˜Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere’ β€” Tries to...

October 4, 2025

Ferrero Rocher’s Oculus Pop-Up Celebrates New Chocolate Squares

October 4, 2025

EXCLUSIVE: Stars Talk β€˜Blue Moon’ at New York...

October 4, 2025

Black Theatre United Hosts 3rd Annual Gala

October 4, 2025

Netflix’s “A House of Dynamite” Movie Premiere at...

October 4, 2025

An Evening with Avantgarde Refined TΓΌrkiye: A Celebration...

October 4, 2025

Adam Driver Would Do β€œWallpaper, Therapy, Anything” for...

October 3, 2025

Visit Bella Luna β€” One of the Best...

October 3, 2025

Digital Cover No. 19

The Knockturnal Merch

Follow Us On The Gram

theknockturnal

Lifestyle. Music. Entertainment.
Info@theknockturnal.com
New Cover Out Now ⬇️

Eskil Vogt reunites with longtime collaborator Joa Eskil Vogt reunites with longtime collaborator Joachim Trier for their sixth cinematic journey, co-writing Sentimental Value, a poignant exploration of family, memory, and reconciliation. 

-
#Screenwriting #Storytelling #WritingForFilm #FilmWriting #NYFF2025 #NewYorkFilmFestival #IndieFilm
At @thenyff , @renatereinsve brings Nora Borg to l At @thenyff , @renatereinsve brings Nora Borg to life in Sentimental Value, portraying a character whose journey through family complexities and personal discovery resonates deeply. 

-
#RenateReinsve #NYFF #SentimentalValue #NoraBorg #FilmFestival #Actress
@nobledanceroslo at @thenyff shares his vision as @nobledanceroslo at @thenyff shares his vision as a director, bringing his story to life with precision, collaboration, and attention to every frame. 

The film reflects his dedication to emotion, storytelling, and cinematic craft. πŸŽ₯

-
#JoachimTrimmer #NYFF #NewYorkFilmFestival #FilmFestival #Director #Filmmaking
We spoke with @ingalilleaas at @thenyff about the We spoke with @ingalilleaas at @thenyff about the emotional process behind her latest film. ✨

-
#IngaIbsdotterLilleaas #NYFF #NewYorkFilmFestival #FilmFestival #Cinema
Poised, perceptive, and endlessly compelling β€” @ Poised, perceptive, and endlessly compelling β€” @ellefanning in conversation at this year’s @thenyff.

-
#ElleFanning #NYFF #NewYorkFilmFestival #FilmFestival #RedCarpet #Cinema
✨ From powerful panels to unforgettable performa ✨ From powerful panels to unforgettable performances, the 2025 #TeenVogueSummit brought together voices shaping fashion, culture, and activism today. πŸ’¬πŸŽΆ

πŸ”—: https://theknockturnal.com/2025-teen-vogue-summit-recap-full-of-fun-fashion-and-connection/

✍️: Zipporah Pruitt

-
#TeenVogue #TeenVogueSummit2025 #TeenVogueEvents
#TeenVogueCommunity #TeenVogueStyle
Visit the @Complex x @Aepsa_official Pop-Up for β€˜Rich Man’ in LA with The Knockturnal! βœ¨β€¨
From exclusive merch and photo cards to signatures and more β€” ~ 100% worth the visit 

⏰ Sept 16–17 | 11 AM – 7 PM PTβ€¨πŸ“ 433 N Fairfax Ave, Los Angeles

#Aespa #Complex #RichMan #KPopMerch #AespaInLA #KPopFans #Kpop #Karina #Giselle #Winter #NingNing
NYFW magic ✨ @aliceandolivia by Stacey Bendet tr NYFW magic ✨ @aliceandolivia by Stacey Bendet transformed the runway into a dazzling celebration of bold prints, playful silhouettes, and timeless style. From Surrogate’s Court to the city streets, the collection truly captured the spirit of the modern woman. πŸ’„

πŸ”—: https://theknockturnal.com/stars-stripes-and-alice-olivia-by-stacey-bendet/

✍️: ElizaBeth Taylor

-
#NYFW #AliceAndOlivia #StaceyBendet #RunwayStyle #FashionWeek
Some things are just a perfect matchβ€”milk & cook Some things are just a perfect matchβ€”milk & cookies, Oreos & a cold glass of milk… and @nickbarrotta on the red carpet celebrating 30 years of the iconic milk mustache. πŸ₯›πŸͺ

πŸ”—: https://theknockturnal.com/got-milk-celebrates-30-years-with-stars-and-everyday-californians/

✍️&🎀: Ashley Lopez

-
#GotMilk30 #GotMilk #NickBarrotta #TylerPerrysTheOval #MilkMustache
On the red carpet, Stranger Things star @priahferg On the red carpet, Stranger Things star @priahferguson spoke with us at the @gotmilk 30th Anniversary Milk Mustache Celebration, where the campaign unveiled its bold new focus on everyday Californians as the real icons. πŸ₯›βœ¨

πŸ”—: https://theknockturnal.com/got-milk-celebrates-30-years-with-stars-and-everyday-californians/

✍️&🎀: Ashley Lopez

-
#GotMilk30 #PriahFerguson #StrangerThings #MilkMustache #RedCarpet #GotMilk
First-time nominees dominated the 77th Emmys, turn First-time nominees dominated the 77th Emmys, turning the spotlight on breakout stars and fresh wins. 🎬πŸ₯‡βœ¨

Read about the rising talent redefining televisions biggest night.

πŸ”—: https://theknockturnal.com/emmy-awards/

✍️: Danielle Biondi

-
#Emmys #Emmy #EmmyAwards #Emmys2025 #EmmyWinner #Film #AwardWinning #AwardSeason
We had the honor of celebrating VMAs weekend with We had the honor of celebrating VMAs weekend with @bacardi and @mtv! πŸ’«
History met history last night πŸ—½πŸŽ¬βœ¨ The Ha History met history last night πŸ—½πŸŽ¬βœ¨

The Hamilton movie premiere transformed the Delacorte Theater into a stage of its own, as the original cast and creative team reunited to celebrate a story that changed Broadway forever. From the first note to the final bow, the revolution continues. πŸŽ­πŸ“œ

πŸ”—: https://theknockturnal.com/under-the-stars-at-the-delacorte-theater-hamilton-premiere-original-cast-in-attendance/

✍️: Lauren Wire

-
#Hamilton #Broadway #HamiltonMovie #DelacorteTheater #LinManuelMiranda #BroadwayLegends #StageToScreen #MusicalTheater
✨ Disney magic meets coffee culture β˜•πŸ­ @dis ✨ Disney magic meets coffee culture β˜•πŸ­ @disneyfamily x @lalalandkindcafe are serving up the sweetest collab of the season β€” from Mickey drink sleeves to Munchlings surprises 🎁 Don’t miss it before it’s gone Sept. 16!

πŸ”—: https://theknockturnal.com/mickey-friends-bring-whimsy-to-la-la-land-kind-cafe/

✍️: Ashley Lopez 

-
#Disney #LaLaLandKindCafe #DisneyCollab #DisneyMagic #CoffeeLovers #MickeyAndFriends #DisneyFoodies
From @iamcardib undeniable reign to @wutangclan ev From @iamcardib undeniable reign to @wutangclan everlasting impact, the 2025 Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Power Players Awards celebrated the artists and executives shaping the culture today. 🎀🎸πŸ’₯

With honorees like @leonthomas and @gelo alongside hip-hop’s legends, the night was a reminder that the genre’s future is just as powerful as its past. 🀩

πŸ”—: https://theknockturnal.com/cardi-b-leon-thomas-gelo-wu-tang-clan-more-honored-at-2025-billboard-rb-hip-hop-power-players-awards/

✍️: Nishat Baig

-
#Billboard #RnB #HipHop #PowerPlayers #CardiB #WuTangClan #LeonThomas #Gelo #RnBMusic #HipHopCulture #MusicAwards
PSA!!! We have another #knockgiveaway and this tim PSA!!! We have another #knockgiveaway and this time it’s for tickets to see LU KALA πŸ’₯

We’re giving away a pair of tickets to see her at Mercury Lounge in New York City on September 10th! Join us as we dance the night away to some of her top hits like Pretty Girl Era and Hotter Now 🎢

To enter hit the link πŸ”— in our bio and fill out the form. Winners will be contacted through email! 

πŸ“MUST BE IN NEW YORK CITY
🎢 From EXO standout to solo powerhouse, @zkdlin 🎢 From EXO standout to solo powerhouse, @zkdlin brought charisma, control, and creativity to every second of his Shrine set.

Kai On Tour gave fans in LA a front-row seat to his evolution as an artist, and it was nothing short of iconic. πŸ‘

πŸ”—: https://theknockturnal.com/kai-on/

✍️: Emma Salehi

-

#KaiOnTour #KAI #KAIatTheShrine #KpopInLA #EXO #KpopSoloist #KpopConcert #KAI2025 #ShrineLA
πŸ—žοΈ Extra, extra! Go inside the newsroom with πŸ—žοΈ Extra, extra! Go inside the newsroom with β€œThe Paper” β€” the sharp new workplace comedy making headlines. πŸ–‹οΈ We sat down with the cast + creators in an exclusive video interview to talk inspiration, improv, and bringing chaos to the copy desk. 🎬✨

πŸ“Ί Watch the full interview now 

πŸ”—: https://theknockturnal.com/the-paper-puts-a-newsroom-spin-on-classic-workplace-comedy/

✍️: Alyssa Threadgill

-

#ThePaper #VideoInterview #WorkplaceComedy #BehindTheScenes #IndieTV #ComedySeries #CastInterview #OnSet #TVTalk #MakingTheShow #WritersRoom #BTS #NewSeries
πŸŽ₯✨ Austin Butler and the cast of Caught Steal πŸŽ₯✨ Austin Butler and the cast of Caught Stealing open up about stepping into this gritty new story, the challenges on set, and why this film is unlike anything they’ve done before.

Catch our exclusive video interview now!

πŸ”—: https://theknockturnal.com/austin-butler-cast-talk-new-movie-caught-stealing-video/

✍️: OJ Williams

-
#AustinButler #CaughtStealing #MovieInterview #ExclusiveInterview #FilmFeature #BehindTheScenes #Hollywood #OnSet #NewMovies #EditorialContent #CastInterview
Vegas was just crowned the No. 1 nightlife spot in Vegas was just crowned the No. 1 nightlife spot in the world. We put our detective skills to work at @resortsworldlv to see if it lives up to the hype 🎰 πŸͺ©πŸ₯‚πŸ’ƒπŸ•Ί

Read the full review on our website ✍️ 

#lasvegas #resortsworld #hilton #sliving #zoox #zouk #stubbornseed #alle #nightlife #vegas #elderbrook
Follow on Instagram

About The Site

We are a collective of creative tastemakers made up of fashion, music and entertainment industry insiders. It’s all about access. You want it. We have it.

Terms Of Use

Privacy Policy

Meet The Team

CONTACT US

For general inquiries and more info on The Knockturnal, please contact our staff at:
info@theknockturnal.com
fashion@theknockturnal.com
advertising@theknockturnal.com
editorial@theknockturnal.com
beauty@theknockturnal.com

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Linkedin
  • Youtube

Β© Copyright - The Knockturnal | Developed by CI Design + Media

The Knockturnal
  • Home
  • Entertainment
  • Music
  • Lifestyle
  • News
  • Videos
  • Covers
  • Merch