Mexico City.- Summer movie season is here and it seems like there are only three things to choose from: another action sequel; another animated film; another superhero movie. And what about adults who aren’t particularly fond of those genres?
The answer is in Night with the Devil.
1977. The United States is living in a turbulent decade: Watergate, inflation, the proliferation of religious sects. Jack Delroy is the host of a late-night show called Night Owls. He has spent much of his life in the spotlight, but he can’t manage to beat the ratings of his archrival, Johnny Carson. So on Halloween night, he will resort to a desperate measure.
This mockumentary takes us to the recording of a midnight show, a live television format that was increasingly popular in the 1970s.
The film impeccably recreates the look and feel of those years; the Font, the colors, clothes and hairstyles, with a great plus: unlike many films that, when portraying this decade, resort to artifice and almost costume-like costumes, here the setting feels organic. We completely buy the era.
The story keeps us hooked from the first minute, as we enter the strange world of 70s entertainment television, which continues to exude an aroma somewhere between extravagant and decadent and, at the same time, tries to be a family option.
It is in the aspect of extravagance that the worldview characteristic of these years sneaks in, which surrounds the theme of Satanism and is evident in films such as The Exorcist, The Prophecy and others. The script seems to rescue this obsession.
Little-known actors add to the sense of realism; the most prominent, David Dastmalchian, is perfect as the brooding driver and Ingrid Torelli is terrifying as Lily.
At a time when there is little variety in movie theaters, Night with the Devil is quite different and original.
AT NIGHT WITH THE DEVIL
Three stars
Directed by: Colin Cairnes, Cameron Cairnes
Starring: David Dastmalchian, Ingrid Torelli, Laura Gordon
Duration: 93 min.
#Night #Devil #original
