What price would a man pay for success, and what happens when the deal comes due on live television? The character of Jack Delroy, the charismatic yet deeply troubled host of the fictional 1970s talk show Night Owls, is a modern cautionary tale wrapped in a found-footage horror film.
His story, central to the movie Late Night with the Devil, explores the dark intersection of show business ambition and the occult. It presents a man whose polished on-screen persona barely conceals a life unraveling from grief and a desperate hunger for fame.
The Man Behind the Desk
Jack Delroy, as compellingly portrayed by David Dastmalchian, was the face of late-night television, a man striving to rival the likes of Johnny Carson. His syndicated program, Night Owls, was a platform for his quick wit and engaging, if somewhat manufactured, persona.
However, beneath the polished exterior lay a man grappling with immense personal tragedy and professional desperation. The film’s documentary-style opening reveals a host struggling to maintain his ratings in a brutally competitive landscape.
His personal life was marked by the recent, mysterious death of his beloved wife, Madeleine, from lung cancer, despite her never having smoked. This tragedy serves as the dark, unresolved undercurrent to his professional life.
The Occult Deal and Hidden Affiliations
The narrative strongly implies that Delroy’s ascent to fame was not purely through talent and hard work. He was a member of a secretive, wood-dwelling society, suggesting an occult pact made for professional gain.
This hidden affiliation casts a long shadow over his entire career, hinting that his success was bought at a terrible, unseen cost. The death of his wife is heavily suggested to be a consequence of this dark bargain.
Delroy’s desperation on the fateful Halloween night is not just about saving his ratings; it is about confronting the supernatural forces he may have unwittingly invited into his life.
The Doomed Halloween Special
The central event of the film is the live Halloween broadcast of Night Owls in 1977, a last-ditch effort to save the show from cancellation. Delroy orchestrates a sensationalist lineup designed to shock and captivate the nation.
His guests include a parapsychologist, a skeptic, a psychic, and most controversially, a young girl named Lilly D’Abo, who is said to be possessed by a demon.
The tension builds rapidly as the psychic, Christou, senses a dark presence, leading to a disturbing physical manifestation and his eventual death. The broadcast quickly spirals from sensational television into a terrifying, uncontrolled event.
The Tragic Climax of the ‘Night Owls’ Broadcast
The climax of the show arrives when Lilly, under the guise of a demonstration, unleashes the demonic entity. The skeptic, Carmichael Hunt, is incinerated, and the studio descends into chaos.
In a moment of psychological breakdown, Delroy experiences a vision, finding himself back in the woods with his dying wife, Madeleine. She urges him to end her suffering with a ceremonial knife.
The shocking reality is that he is still on stage, and the person he repeatedly stabs is Lilly D’Abo. The final moments show Delroy’s stunned, horrified realization of the murder he has just committed on live television.
A Legacy of Fictional Horror
Jack Delroy is a purely fictional creation, but his story resonates because it taps into real-world anxieties about ambition, the price of fame, and the dark side of television.
The film’s directors, Cameron and Colin Cairnes, drew inspiration from 1970s pop culture, including the Australian talk show The Don Lane Show, to create an authentic period feel.
Delroy’s character is a complex study of a man whose trauma and ambition open a doorway to something much darker than he could have ever imagined, making him one of the most memorable figures in recent horror cinema.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is Jack Delroy a real person?
No, Jack Delroy is a fictional character created for the 2024 horror film Late Night with the Devil. The film is a found-footage style movie and is not based on a true story.
Who plays Jack Delroy in the movie?
The character of Jack Delroy is played by the American actor David Dastmalchian, who is known for his roles in films like The Suicide Squad and Dune.
What is the name of Jack Delroy’s talk show?
Jack Delroy hosts the fictional late-night talk show called Night Owls with Jack Delroy. The show is the setting for the film’s central, terrifying events.
What happened to Jack Delroy’s wife?
Jack Delroy’s wife, Madeleine, died of lung cancer despite being a non-smoker. The film strongly suggests her death was a consequence of an occult deal Delroy made for his career success.
