AI-Generated Imagery Sparks Controversy Over 'Late Night with the Devil' Film

The film Late Night with the Devil has been making waves in the entertainment industry, but not for its plot or cast. Instead, it’s caught heat online due to allegations of using AI-generated imagery. The movie, which stars David Dastmalchian as a late-night TV host trying to save his show with a Halloween special gone wrong, was initially praised by critics, including Mashable’s review at SXSW 2023. However, some viewers have taken issue with the film’s use of artificial intelligence in its visuals.

The controversy began when user ‘based gizmo’ posted a one-star review on Letterboxd on March 19, stating: ‘There’s AI all over this… Don’t let this be the start of accepting this shit in your entertainment.’ This sparked a wave of discussion online, with users taking to X (formerly Twitter) to share screenshots from the film’s trailer and dissect the allegations. The focus was particularly on interstitials throughout the fictional live TV broadcast, which included illustrations such as a skeleton dancing in a pumpkin patch.

As the conversation around AI-generated images grew, Mashable reached out to Shudder for comment. In response, co-writers and co-directors Cameron Cairnes and Colin Cairnes confirmed that their film did indeed use AI. According to them, they experimented with artificial intelligence for three still images, which were then edited further and appeared as brief interstitials in the movie. They credited their graphics and production design team for helping create a 70s aesthetic.

The statement from Late Night with the Devil’s creators echoes recent trends in film and TV using AI-generated imagery. Marvel’s Secret Invasion used AI to create its opening credits last year, while True Detective: Night Country faced criticism earlier this year over background posters that looked suspiciously like they were created by a machine. This pushback comes at a time when Hollywood is still reeling from the WGA and SAG strikes, during which both unions fought for protections against AI replacing human work.

Late Night with the Devil premieres in theaters on March 22 and will be available to stream on Shudder starting April 19. The controversy surrounding its use of AI-generated imagery has sparked a wider conversation about the role of artificial intelligence in filmmaking, leaving audiences and industry professionals alike wondering where this trend is headed.