The horror-only streaming service Shudder experienced a record-breaking weekend with the release of “Late Night With The Devil,” a low-budget Australian horror film that became the largest acquisition ever for both Shudder and AMC+. The film, which was released on Shudder on April 19, quickly gained attention after becoming distributor IFC Film’s highest-grossing opening weekend with $2.8 million at the domestic box office.
Despite being released in a relatively small number of theaters in the U.S., “Late Night With The Devil” managed to draw in $7.3 million across its U.S. theatrical run, surpassing the previous record holders for the biggest opening weekend on Shudder and AMC+. The exact number of views the film received on Shudder during its opening weekend was not disclosed, but it quickly gained critical acclaim with a 97% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, making it the best-reviewed horror film of the year so far.
Horror author Stephen King praised the film on Twitter, calling it “absolutely brilliant” and urging others to watch it. The movie tells the story of a fictional syndicated talk show called “Night Owls,” where a girl who is said to be possessed conjures a demon on live television. While the film draws inspiration from 1970s pop culture, it is entirely fictional and has sparked increased interest among viewers, with Google Trends showing a rise in searches related to the movie.
The film’s directors, Cameron and Colin Cairnes, faced backlash for their use of artificial intelligence to create some of the artwork in the film. The brothers clarified that they had used AI to generate three still images, which were later edited and included in the movie with the help of the production team. The use of AI in filmmaking has been a controversial topic, with concerns about its impact on human artists, actors, and musicians in the industry.
Overall, “Late Night With The Devil” has proven to be a successful acquisition for Shudder and AMC+, breaking records and receiving positive reviews from critics and viewers alike. With its low budget and high critical acclaim, the film has showcased the potential for small-budget horror movies to make a big impact in the industry. As the streaming landscape continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see how other niche services like Shudder continue to find success with unique and engaging content offerings.
