Late night with the devil ending explained: How did the live broadcast spiral into chaos?

Still from Late Night with the Devil ( via Lionsgate Play)
Still from Late Night with the Devil (Image via Lionsgate Play)

Late Night with the Devil was released theatrically in the United States on March 22, 2024, by IFC Films and in Australia on April 11. The film grossed $15 million and received positive reviews from critics. Directed and written by Colin and Cameron Cairnes, the film explores the horrors of a live talk show gone awry, blending psychological tension with supernatural elements.

The plot revolves around Jack Delroy, a talk show host struggling to salvage his career after personal and professional setbacks. During a Halloween special, Delroy invites guests to discuss the paranormal, including a girl believed to be possessed by a demon.

The show takes a sinister turn as events spiral out of control. In the ending, Delroy confronts an entity that challenges his perception of reality, forcing viewers to question whether the horrors were supernatural or manifestations of his inner demons.


Late Night with the Devil’s live broadcast and its chilling descent

Still of Lilly being possessed by Mr. Wriggles in Late Night with the Devil (Image via Lionsgate Play)
Still of Lilly being possessed by Mr. Wriggles in Late Night with the Devil (Image via Lionsgate Play)

Late Night with the Devil's final act revolves around a live broadcast designed to salvage Jack Delroy’s career by captivating his audience with a supernatural twist. Jack invites a girl named Lilly, believed to be possessed by a demon, along with her doctor, Dr. Ross-Mitchell, onto the set for a Halloween special. As the show unfolds, events take a dark turn when the entity inside the girl, named Mr. Wriggles, begins to manifest its power.

Initially, the possession is framed as a spectacle, but the broadcast takes a sinister shift. Lilly’s body convulses violently, and the entity causes unexplainable phenomena. The audience and crew are horrified as Lilly’s physical state deteriorates, and the demon reveals its true form as a fiery being of light.

Chaos ensues when the demon starts killing those on stage, including Dr. Ross-Mitchell and Jack’s assistant Gus, in gruesome ways. The climax reveals Jack confronting the demon. This incident forces him to relive traumatic memories of his wife’s death and questionable past connections to a secretive group, The Grove. In the final moments, Jack is stabbing Lilly, seemingly ending the demon’s control but leaving ambiguity about his own sanity.

The climax of Late Night with the Devil unfolds as Jack, desperate to maintain control, confronts Lilly and the entity she embodies. A pivotal moment occurs when the studio lights flicker and a shadowy figure materializes, seemingly confirming the presence of the supernatural. The entity addresses Jack directly, forcing him to confront his personal failures and guilt.

As the chaotic broadcast reaches its climax, the entity manifests in its full terrifying form, causing a catastrophic series of events. Jack is forced to confront his darkest memories and the weight of his past decisions. In a devastating moment, he is seen stabbing Lilly, which appears to end the demon’s control but leaves his own sanity in question.

The broadcast ends abruptly, leaving both audiences in the movie and reality uncertain about what was real and what was imagined. The chaos and terror are pivotal to the film’s ambiguous exploration of whether the events were supernatural or a manifestation of Jack’s fractured psyche.

Also read: Your Fault ending explained: How do Noah and Nick’s relationship unravel in the finale?


What led to the devastating ending?

Still from the Late Night with the Devil (Image via Lionsgate Play)
Still from the Late Night with the Devil (Image via Lionsgate Play)

The ending of Late Night with the Devil is deeply tied to Jack Delroy's connection with The Grove, a shadowy and influential organization linked to occult rituals. This secretive club, implied to have connections to the demonic cult responsible for Lilly’s possession, played a crucial role in Jack’s rise to fame.

The demon, referred to as Mr. Wriggles, directly acknowledges Jack during the climactic events, suggesting their paths have crossed before through rituals conducted at The Grove.

Jack’s affiliation with The Grove is revealed to be more than just a membership; it’s implied that his career success and personal tragedies, including his wife’s untimely death, are intertwined with the group’s sinister practices. The demon’s presence forces Jack to confront the consequences of these past actions, blurring the lines between supernatural vengeance and psychological torment.

Late Night with the Devil uses this connection to explore the weight of ambition and the moral compromises made in its pursuit. By linking Jack’s unraveling mind to his ties with The Grove, the narrative suggests that his downfall was not merely the result of chance but a direct consequence of his decisions and associations.

This layered revelation invites viewers to question how much of the chaos was supernatural retribution and how much stemmed from Jack’s guilt and moral failings.

Also read: We Live in Time ending explained: What happens to Almut in the end?


Exploring Late Night with the Devil: Plot and cast details

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Late Night with the Devil offers a chilling blend of psychological and supernatural horror set in the 1970s. Directed by Cameron and Colin Cairnes, the movie stars David Dastmalchian as Jack Delroy, Ingrid Torelli as Lilly, Georgina Haig as Dr. June Ross-Mitchell, Fayssal Bazzi as Christou, and Ian Bliss as Carmichael the Conjurer.

The official logline describes Late Night with the Devil as:

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

The plot unfolds during a Halloween special of Jack Delroy’s talk show, where he attempts to win back viewers by exploring paranormal themes. The narrative intricately ties Jack’s professional struggles to his personal tragedies, unveiling his connection to a secretive group known as The Grove. This haunting backdrop serves to amplify the tension as supernatural forces wreak havoc on live television.

Late Night with the Devil was released theatrically in the United States on March 22, 2024, by IFC Films and in Australia on April 11, grossing $15 million worldwide. The film is currently available for streaming on Lionsgate Play, Lionsgate Play Apple TV Channel, and Lionsgate Play Amazon Channel. It is also available for purchase and rental on Apple TV.

Also read: The Killer ending explained: Zee and Sey manage to murder Finn


Late Night with the Devil explores psychological and supernatural elements, raising questions about reality and ambition. The film’s narrative addresses themes of guilt, consequences, and the pursuit of success. By connecting Jack Delroy’s downfall to his ties with The Grove and his personal losses, the story examines the effects of moral compromises.

Late Night with the Devil's ending encourages viewers to reflect on its themes and implications. Currently, it is available for streaming on Lionsgate Play, Lionsgate Play Apple TV Channel, and Lionsgate Play Amazon Channel, and can also be purchased or rented on Apple TV.

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Edited by Ivanna Lalsangzuali
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