The recently released horror thriller 'Late Night with the Devil' has sparked controversy over its use of artificial intelligence (AI) in the production process. The film, set in the 1970s, features AI-generated 1970s-style title cards as part of its presentation of a talk show.
Directed by Colin and Cameron Cairnes, the movie stars David Dastmalchian as the lead character, a talk show host whose Halloween night show takes a dark turn when the topic of demonic possession is introduced.
In response to the criticism, the Cairnes brothers explained that AI was used to create three still images that appear briefly in the film as interstitials. They emphasized the collaborative effort of the graphics and production design team in achieving the desired '70s aesthetic.
While some critics have raised concerns about the use of AI over traditional graphic artists, others have pointed out that the film was made before AI became a contentious issue in Hollywood.
David Dastmalchian, who also produced the film, expressed his disappointment that the focus on AI graphics has overshadowed the hard work of the artists involved in the production. He acknowledged the evolving conversation around AI in the industry and stood by the filmmakers' decision to incorporate AI in a limited capacity.
Despite the controversy, 'Late Night with the Devil' has received positive reviews, with a 96% 'fresh' score from critics on Rotten Tomatoes and an 87% audience score. The film is now playing in theaters and is set for streaming release on April 19 on Shudder.
