We turn to late night TV for entertainment and comfort, often when we’re struggling to relax or find some rest. But what if we got something unexpected? That’s the premise of a new film, Late Night with the Devil, which opens on Friday in theaters.

The film comes from Shudder and gives us a look at a live late-night show in the lates 1970s. During a cold open, we get some history on the show, its host Jack Delroy (David Dastmalchian), and his late wife Madeleine (Georgina Haig). Once his wife passed away, Jack nearly stepped away from his late-night post.

Now, he’s back and trying get to the No. 1 spot in late night. All that leads into our live episode, which takes place on Halloween. During a special episode, he’s exploring the spooky side of the spirit with someone who can commune with the dead, a magician who debunks the supernatural, and a doctor whose young client is a conduit to the devil. During the course of the show, we explore these characters and the supernatural world, all leading to a tragedy that plays out on live TV.

This new film comes from writer/directors Cameron and Colin Cairnes. It’s a unique concept with a great set up and a great look. I enjoyed the opening, which sets the stage for what’s to come and gives some background on the main players. Then we get to the live show.

Keeping the story moving in real time offers an interesting conceit along with a unique set up and story. The use of black-and-white to capture the interactions on commercial breaks is effective, too. I enjoyed the way the story played out as the suspense builds throughout the run of the film to an effective concluding sequence.

There to anchor it all is Dastalmachian, who has long been a great character actor and supporting performer. Here, he takes the lead and does a nice job as Jack. He’s the focal character with all this chaos going on around him and delivers a compelling performance.

The trick to a good horror or thriller film is finding a creative way to engage the audience. This film, with a unique approach, story, and set-up manages that. It’s engaging and compelling. It’s worth checking out, particularly for fans of the genre.

Late Night with the Devil opens nationwide in theaters Friday.

Matthew Fox is a graduate of the Radio, Television and Film program at Biola University, and a giant nerd. He spends his free time watching movies, TV, and obsessing about football. He is a member of the FSWA. You can find him @knighthawk7734 on Twitter and as co-host of the Fantasy Football Roundtable Podcast.