In 1977Jack Delroy hosts a late night talk show called Night Owls a rival to Johnny Carson.
It’s sweeps week, and Halloween – so Jack invites a group of guests, each who have something to do with “the paranormal”.
There is the medium Christou – who believes he has connected with someone named Minnie.
Carmichael Haig, the debunker and skeptic.
Finally there is Lilly who is believed possessed by a spirit “Mr Wriggles” who might be the devil.
As the night goes on, the situations become more realistic, especially with the introduction of Mr Wriggles.
Is it a hoax, or is she really possessed?
Direction
Solid direction from the co -writer brothers Colin and Cameron Cairnes.
The 19070s aesthetic is flawless, especially given that the Cairnes’ are Australian.
I loved the change to Black and White as the “filming” stops during the commercial breaks.
Cast/Characters
David Dastmalchian scores his first lead star role after so many bit parts, or supporting roles. He is absolutely brilliant as Jack, who is equal parts smarmy and then frightened as the night. goes on.
It is Ingrid Torelli as Lilly who steals the show, as the ‘possessed’ or fraudulent teenager. Her introduction as the survivor of the cult.
Other cast members include Laura Gordon as Lilly’s psychiatrist Dr June Ross-Mitchell, Ian Bliss as Carmichael, Fayssal Bazzi as Christou, and Michael Ironside as “The Narrator”
Breakdown
At a brisk 92m, it doesn’t seem as if a minute is spared. I found that I had to go back to re-watch the opening ‘monologue’ which explains Jack’s rise to fame, his involvement in The Grove, and the loss of his wife Madeline.
I loved the 1970’s aesthetic, and even though it is “American” with the inclusion of sweeps week, and the late night talk show shtick – its interesting that this was made by Australians, in Australia!
The change from colour as the ‘filming’ of the show is occurring, to the ‘black and white’ when the cameras stop rolling is done well, and are a clever way to show the audience between fiction and fallacy. This change in colour begins with the Jack’s history of how he got to where he is in the opening monologue, especially when it comes to The Grove.
As the film goes on, and more characters are introduced, we the audience are as enthralled as those in the “studio audience”;
Christou who conjures ‘Minnie’ – Jack’s nickname for his late wife, Carmichael who is quick to show the audience the ‘tricks of the trade’ and who is skeptical of all the guests, and finally Lilly and June, the former who is ‘possessed’ by the devil, or who she calls, Mr Wriggles.
Throughout their time on screen – we too have to decide whether this is a ruse or true, as all of Carmichael’s theories of how they could be manipulating ‘us’ is valid.
His trance of Gus, Jack’s show emcee, (who believes it to be true) is horrifying – but helps sway us one way, when that too is revealed to be a hypnotic ruse.
As well written I found this, I felt that he opening monologue, that give the history of Jack’s fame on Night Owl’s is done too quickly, as well as what his involvement with ‘The Grove’ is and how it shaped his fame.
The final hallucination, in which the reveal that Mr Wriggles is in fact real, and there because of Jack.
I actually was somewhat hoping it was going to go in the other direction, and it actually being a ruse. It feels a little rushed, and not explained properly that essentially Jack sacrificed Madeline to the Grove in order to get fame.
Score/Soundtrack
I loved the Gothic score by Roscoe James Irwin and Glen Richards.
Overall
Very well written, directed horror film – which is complemented by a brilliant performance from lead star Dastmalchian.
While it got rave reviews, I was let down by the ending, with both the reveal that Lilly was possessed, and that Jack’s history with The Grove was not established as well as it could be.
Still a strong recommend!
4/5
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