Is Late Night With The Demon Inspired by Real Events?

Late Night With the Devil may have a 1970s setting, but it is definitely a horror movie and not a documentary. You can tell because David Dastmalchian, a familiar face in horror films like The Boogeyman and Bird Box, plays the character of 1970s talk show host Jack Delroy. He has also taken on other roles such as Polka-Dot Man in The Suicide Squad and Piter de Vries in Dune.

Even though the trailer for Late Night With the Devil appears to be a fake 1970s television broadcast, there is a hint that it could be based on true events. The text that appears on screen at the start of the trailer states, "On Halloween night 1977, one live television event shocked a nation." This suggests that what we see on screen is a reenactment of an actual television broadcast from the past.

Late Night with the Devil Is Not Based On A True Story

The movie is an exercise in found footage realism

The upcoming horror movie Late Night with the Devil is not actually based on a true story, despite what the trailer may suggest. Instead, it is a found footage movie that takes place in the 1970s to make the story feel more real. Jack Delroy, the main character, is not a real person, and the plot of the movie is not directly linked to any late-night shows that aired on American television in the 1970s.

Some movies, like 2013's WNUF Halloween Special, go to great lengths to recreate old television broadcasts in order to make their stories feel more realistic.

Late Night with the Devil Was Inspired by 1970s Pop Culture

The technique used in Late Night With the Devil is well-executed, drawing inspiration from 1970s pop culture. This found footage horror movie follows a trend seen in other films such as 2013's WNUF Halloween Special, which recreated old television broadcasts for a realistic touch. Additionally, movies like The Blair Witch Project and the V/H/S franchise embrace old-fashioned or degraded filmmaking formats like VHS to distance themselves from polished Hollywood productions.

The horror movie draws inspiration from many places

David Dastmalchian as Jack Delroy in Late Night with the Devil - The horror movie draws inspiration from many places - Late Night with the Devil Was Inspired by 1970s Pop Culture

Late Night With the Devil may not be based on a true story, but it takes inspiration from the rich pop culture of the 1970s. Directors Cameron and Colin Cairnes shared in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter that their film is a blend of various influences like The Don Lane Show, The Exorcist, Network, and The King of Comedy. Their attention to detail in capturing the essence of the era is evident in the trailer, which cleverly sets the tone for the movie.

Editor's P/S:

Despite the intriguing trailer that suggests otherwise, "Late Night With the Devil" is not based on a true story. Instead, it employs the found footage technique to immerse viewers in a chilling 1970s setting. The film draws inspiration from iconic horror movies like "The Exorcist" and "The King of Comedy," along with popular talk shows like "The Don Lane Show." By blending these elements, the directors meticulously recreate the era, creating a palpable sense of authenticity.

While the movie may not be a direct account of real events, its creators have skillfully crafted a tale that taps into the collective cultural memory of the 1970s. The found footage format further enhances the realism, blurring the lines between fiction and reality. As a result, "Late Night With the Devil" promises to deliver a captivating and unsettling experience for horror enthusiasts.