Found footage horror was run into the ground in the wake of films like The Blair Witch Project and Paranormal Activity, but Late Night with the Devil finds a new way in to a tired genre, thanks to its commitment to atmosphere and a mounting sense of tension. The television landscape of the 1970s offers a fruitful setting for a horror film, with the ongoing Vietnam war, political strife, and the cultural upheaval after the swingin’ 60s. Writers and directors Cameron and Colin Cairnes have certainly done their homework to make Late Night with the Devil feel authentic on the screen and on the page, in spite of the bizarre circumstances within it.

The found footage aspect of the film comes as the long-lost master tape of an infamous recording of “Night Owls with Jack Delroy” is re-discovered. The film’s opening montage explains that Delroy (David Dastmalchian) was an up-and-coming late-night comedian whose talk show did well enough but could never topple Johnny Carson. It’s this crucial information that gives Delroy fuel for all the mishaps in the taping of the show – or, if you’re not on the film’s wavelength, excuses it. Also crucial to the setup is the unexpected death of Jack’s beloved wife from lung cancer, and Jack’s membership in a mysterious hippie group that may or may not have dabbled in the occult.

Dastmalchian proves to be the perfect fit for Jack Delroy. He’s a journeyman character actor with an easily recognizable face, but he always carries with him an inherent sadness teetering on madness just below the surface. Delroy’s desperation is a major driving force throughout the taping of the show – which takes place on Halloween, during sweeps week, no less – and Dastmalchian wears it all well enough to win us over to his side.

The setting allows the Cairnes ample leeway to introduce a number of spooky guests, which gives the film its opportunity for scares. First is Christou (Fayssal Bazzi), a so-so psychic who attempts to commune with the spirits of audience members’ loved ones. Next is Carmichael the Conjurer (Ian Bliss), a former magician turned debunker of the supernatural, who arrives to discredit any progress that Christou makes. The Cairnes sprinkle in a few frights in the opening half, but Late Night with the Devil really comes into its own once “Night Owls” introduces Dr. June Ross-Mitchell (Laura Gordon) and Lilly (Ingrid Torelli).

We learn that Lilly was brought up in a satanic cult that bred its members for child sacrifices, and Lilly was rescued and treated by Dr. June. But Lilly still retained a connection with the titular Devil (who she refers to as Mr. Wiggles), and Delroy’s big gamble comes as he persuades Dr. June to perform a live séance with Lilly.

My biggest issue with horror has always been the disconnect in logic necessary to believe the unbelievable. With Late Night with the Devil, it’s in the extended séance scene. Would any of these events really happen if the film took place in the real world? Probably not. Somebody would have stepped in and put a stop to it. But where the Cairnes’ script sometimes lacks in motivations – is Jack the evil one, the television industry, or is it something purely elemental? – it makes up for its easily accessible characters and solid production value. The film even utilizes the “commercial breaks” to show “behind the scenes” footage, visualizing the cracks beneath Jack’s polished veneer, and to show his producer Leo (Josh Quong Tart) egging him on. The horror mostly comes from existential places, rather than unexpected scares, but the effects work – a blend of old-school practical work and CGI – is fine enough when it needs to be.

Millions upon millions of indie horror films will be released in 2024, with either limited theatrical releases or none at all. Late Night with the Devil likely won’t make waves for horror devotees, nor is it scary enough to give fraidy-cats nightmares, but it gets more right than it does wrong. (Coming from this horror skeptic, consider that high praise.) At the very least, the film provides an overdue star turn for Dastmalchian, and should lead to bigger and better things for him and its directors.

Late Night with the Devil will premiere in theaters nationwide on March 22.

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