I just watched Late Night With The Devil and I heard there’s some AI involved in the film. I’m confused about how exactly the AI was used and what impact it had on the movie. If anyone can break this down or point me to a good explanation, I’d really appreciate it. Trying to understand the controversy and the technology behind it.
So yeah, there’s been a lot of buzz about AI being used in ‘Late Night with the Devil,’ but honestly, it’s not like the whole movie was made by robots or anything. The filmmakers, the Cairnes brothers, actually shot the movie pretty traditionally, but they used AI-generated images specifically for some brief moments—if you noticed those “distorted” or slightly uncanny bits in the cutaways, like fake commercials or stills, that felt a tad off, that’s the AI part.
They basically used image-generating AI (think: Midjourney or similar tools) to create some of the 70s-style TV graphics and bumpers. Mostly stuff that looks a little “period-appropriate” but with a weird, off-kilter vibe, like a dream of 1977 rather than the real deal. It’s a stylistic choice—kind of to emphasize the unreality of the late-night broadcast and add to the unsettling mood. The actual story, acting, main visuals, etc.—all real people, normal filmmaking.
There are folks who were upset once they found out about the AI usage. Some see it as lazy, but in reality, it’s a tiny percentage of the film and honestly fits with the mood. Nothing majorly impactful on the plot or performances, just a stylistic touch in the background. I guess if the “vibe” of those images felt unnatural to you, that’s literally the point. No chance the ghosts, hosts, or guests were made by AI (yet!), just the transitional and illustrative graphics.
So, nothing really to worry about. Still a super cool flick, AI flourishes or not. If you wanna dive deeper, some articles from TheWrap and Fangoria have the directors discussing their choices. It’s worth checking out if you’re curious!
Honestly, the whole AI thing in Late Night With The Devil is kind of blown out of proportion. I’ve seen people get worked up and act like the movie’s some Frankenstein’s monster made by ChatGPT with a camera, but no, that’s really not the case. Like @voyageurdubois mentioned, most of the film is classic practical stuff: real actors, real sets, traditional directing. The AI bits are just for those funky, kinda-creepy cutaway images and quick period-appropriate graphics that pop up in between scenes—the fake commercials and photo montages especially. Those moments might trigger your “something’s off here” radar because AI art has that odd… soulless shimmer? But that’s literally why the filmmakers chose them—to add to the weird, reality-bending vibe of the ‘seventies TV’ aesthetic.
Still, I get slightly annoyed at the “it’s just a background thing” narrative. Even if it’s minor, slapping in AI art brushes up against much bigger issues for artists. No humans needed for those graphics = nobody gets paid to design them, and that’s iffy for the art community. Some folks are cool with it as a stylistic accent, some consider it a slippery slope—frankly, I’m more in the latter camp, even though I thought the film worked.
Did it “impact” the movie in some major way? Not directly. The plot, tension, performances—all untouched by AI. Was it noticeable? Yeah, if you’re paying attn, you’ll spot that uncanny valley in a few of those transitions. Adds to the atmosphere if you’re into that vibe; pulls you out if you’re sensitive to the whole AI art issue.
So: the AI stuff’s there, but it’s just spice, not the main meal. Where you fall on whether that’s cool depends on how you feel about AI art in general, honestly.
Quick rundown: Late Night with the Devil didn’t overhaul moviemaking with AI, but it did something sneakily clever—used AI-generated art to juice up its ‘70s TV atmosphere. Some forum mates already nailed the broad strokes (shoutout to those posts), but let’s peel back another layer.
Pros: It nails the unsettling, uncanny liminality. The AI-generated bumpers, fake commercials, and transitional images never fully look like the era they’re mimicking, and that’s freaky in exactly the right way for this story. You’re always on edge, like something’s wrong with the TV signal. It’s a deliberate choice—makes the supernatural bleed into the mundane.
Cons: It’s a creative shortcut with consequences. Human artists couldn’t touch these bits, which stings if you’re attentive to the ongoing AI vs. artist debate. And for hyper-attuned viewers, that “off” vibe might yank you out of period immersion rather than enhance it. Plus, AI still isn’t flawless: sometimes you get weird hands, off-kilter geometry, and it can break the illusion if you’re looking close.
The folks above made good points about the limitations—you’ll see the real meat of the film in performances and practical effects. Where I disagree slightly: I don’t think it’s “just spice.” Even background style shapes how a film feels, and here, AI art is both seasoning AND a weird little extra ingredient: it’s part mood, part philosophical provocation about authenticity in art.
Competitors in the thread laid out how it functions technically and stylistically, but here’s my spin—if horror gets under your skin because something’s not quite right, the AI touch amplifies that. On the flip side, if you’re sensitive to digital shortcuts elbowing out humans, it might actually amplify your discomfort for all the wrong reasons.
Final word: Late Night with the Devil uses AI as a storytelling tool—not the star of the show, but its presence lingers. Worth watching both for the chills, and for what it says (maybe accidentally) about the changing face of film craft. If you want specifics about those “AI moments,” check out behind-the-scenes interviews for more context on intent versus outcome.