IFC Films

LATE NIGHT WITH THE DEVIL Trailer Gives the Devil a TV Guest Appearance

Originally posted on Nerdist | By Tai Gooden | Last updated Mar 6, 2024 8:08 PM ET

Halloween night is the perfect time for something sinister to happen. The veil is thin between the world of the living and the realm of the dead. People are wandering the streets in strange garb while seeking candy and mayhem. And, if you’re in Haddonfield, there just might be a tall man in a white mask who stalks babysitters and wanders the streets. Nowhere feels truly safe except maybe the confines of your own home. Even then, evil can somehow find you through your television, especially if there’s some greedy dude who succeeds at “communing” with the Devil. Now that’s one hell of a horror movie premise. In fact, it’s the plot of Late Night with the Devil, IFC’s upcoming flick with a trailer that promises live television chaos.

The film stars David Dastmalchian as a late-night TV show host who hopes to get his ratings up. Of course, there’s nothing like the drama and spine chilling fear of summoning evil to do the trick. This seems like the absolute worst idea, especially when America is on the cusp of all-out Satanic Panic.

Here’s the synopsis:

October 31, 1977. Johnny Carson rival Jack Delroy hosts a syndicated late night talk show ‘Night Owls’ that has long been a trusted companion to insomniacs around the country. A year after the tragic death of Jack’s wife, ratings have plummeted. Desperate to turn his fortunes around, Jack plans a Halloween special like no other, unaware that he is about to unleash evil into the living rooms of America.

Well, this sounds absolutely delicious. I can’t say I envy those folks in the live audience. The trailer for Late Night with the Devil reads almost like a surreal documentary and looks delightfully ‘70s.