Is it ethical to watch a film made with artificial intelligence? Can viewers look past the generated images and find meaning? These are the questions and conversations surrounding Late Night with the Devil. Despite positive reviews, Late Night with the Devil’s success was largely overshadowed by controversy over its use of AI images, prompting criticism and calls for a boycott.
The supernatural found footage horror film, which has become a hot topic on social media and garnered a lot of attention in news headlines, is directed by the Australian brother-directing duo of Cameron and Colin Cairnes.
The movie takes place on the set of a ‘70s late-night talk show called Night Owls with Jack Delroy. Facing declining viewership and waning popularity, host Jack Delroy (David Dasmalchain) airs a supernatural-themed Halloween show to gain viewership. However, during the broadcast, a series of unexpected and terrifying segments unfold, sending fans running out of the studio and leading to the eventual deaths of the show’s guests. With a charming host, a psychic medium, a possessed young girl reminiscent of Regan MacNeil, a ghost, a cult, and a skeptic, the film includes many supernatural elements to keep viewers on the edge of their seats.
The AI Controversy
Imagine a grainy image of a dancing skeleton with disfigured bones, surrounded by oddly shaped pumpkins. This image, which was used as a “We’ll be right back!” still for the show, has caused a sea of backlash among viewers. Although the joyous skeleton dancing in a pumpkin patch perfectly captures the film’s old-school Halloween nostalgia, it also happens to be an image generated by AI.
But that’s not the only computer-generated image used throughout the film. There are other commercial break images created by artificial intelligence, as well as the show’s logo which is featured across the set.
The film’s theatrical release follows the aftermath of the WGA strike, which protested the use of AI technologies in the writing room and Hollywood. As a result, many movie and television viewers shudder at the thought of AI in any form of entertainment. Critics argue that the use of AI in filmmaking could threaten jobs from graphic artists attempting to break into the entertainment industry while also stealing from artists’ public works. When the film was released, Cameron Cairnes stated in an interview with Letterboxd that their press tour for the film had “turned into the A.I. apology tour.”
Months later, this controversy has not disappeared. And it likely won’t for a long time. Letterboxd users continue to clash opinions in their public reviews. One user wrote, “Don’t let this be the start of accepting this shit in your entertainment” while another user added, “They used a new technology in a few frames of their amazing film. Good for them!” Although Cameron and Colin Cairnes incorporated a new form of technology into their film, it constitutes only a small portion of the overall production. Much of Late Night with the Devil’s narrative and aesthetic feats are overlooked by these technological and moral discussions.
Late Night with the Devil’s Cinematic Strengths
One of the standout features of Late Night with the Devil is its recreation of a colorful 70s late-night show set. From the vintage furniture to the costumes and hairstyles, every detail is carefully designed to capture the era’s essence. The Cairnes brothers even hired Matthew Temple, a camera operator who learned directly from professionals working in television during the ‘60s and ‘70s, as their director of photography. It’s these small details and moments of care made by the directors and the crew that deserve praise and bring the set to life.
But the cast is also worthy of approval. David Dasmalchain, the actor and producer known for playing supporting characters in popular films such as Oppenheimer, Dune, The Dark Knight, and Ant-Man, takes on the lead role in Late Night with the Devil as the host of Night Owls with Jack Delroy. Dasmalchain carefully balances charisma and mystery throughout his performance. The loving husband, heartbroken after his wife Madeline passes away from cancer, is revealed to have made a deal with the devil. Delroy sacrifices his wife and sells his soul for fame and popularity. Dasmalchain, who keeps both the show’s and film’s audiences on the edge of their seats, proves that he is more than just a supporting character. He is the main attraction. Hopefully, there will be more horror films and lead roles in his future.
The timing of the jokes and Dasmalchain’s delivery, coupled with the ‘70s-themed set design, make Night Owls seem like an authentic and nostalgic show. And this authenticity, this feeling of lying on your living room couch at night and turning on the television to watch Jack Delroy and his sidekick Gus McConnell (Rhys Auteri), is what makes the entire film work.
The use of found footage, a subgenre heavily tied to horror, only adds to this realness. The film is framed as a documentary, using footage from the live television broadcast and behind-the-scenes footage while off-air. As on-screen events unfold, it becomes increasingly challenging to distinguish between what is scripted and what is real. Are the segments just sketches or is their real supernatural activity happening on set? Is the medium Christou’s on-stage sickness a well-executed practical effect or a sign of an evil spirit? Drawing inspiration from popular found footage horror films such as The Blair Witch Project and Creep, Late Night with the Devil presents the horrors as if they are unfolding in real time. Live television is inherently anxiety-inducing. The film taps into the fears of what could happen on a live televised national broadcast. Few things are scarier than a story that feels like it could happen in real life.
What is Next for AI in Horror?
While the controversy over AI-generated images in Late Night with the Devil raises important questions about the future of artificial intelligence in Hollywood, the film does achieve important artistic achievements, including the set design, acting, and viewer interaction.
Whether viewers like it or not, Late Night with the Devil is just the start of further artificial intelligence in the horror genre. As AI images continue to pop up on Instagram and TikTok feeds, film, television, and entertainment as a whole will experience the same. Horror in particular will likely witness computer-generated creatures or algorithms that can make scenes more immersive and terrifying. Late Night with the Devil is a testament to the evolving nature of technology within the horror genre and the ability to find new ways to scare and unsettle viewers. Perhaps, one day, the film will be praised for its use of AI in filmmaking. Just as CGI has revolutionized blockbuster world-building and character creation.
Ultimately, as new technologies become available, these discussions will continue to be had. Can human-made art be separated from computer-generated art? If it is entertaining, should it be separated? These are the modern horrors we will face.
Late Night with the Devil is available to stream on AMC+.
