Podtalk & Photos: David Dastmalchian in ‘Late Night with the Devil’

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CHICAGO – David Dastmalchian is taking the spotlight in his latest role. The in-demand character actor, with vital portrayals in “Suicide Squad,’ “Dune” and “Oppenheimer,” is the lead performer as a 1970s talk show host in the new horror epic “Late Night with the Devil,” co-written/directed by Colin and Cameron Cairnes. In select theaters March 22nd.

David Dastmalchian for ‘Late Night with the Devil’
Photo credit: Joe Arce for HollywoodChicago.com

Dastmalchian is Jack Delroy, a fictional 1970s talk show host who is in trouble. Jack and his show “Night Owls,” once one of the biggest shows in late night, is now struggling. So now, with his personal life marred by tragedy and his ratings in free fall, he’s desperate to keep his show. With his sidekick Gus (Rhys Auteri) and his producers, they cook up a controversial plan for their 1977 Halloween special … a live demonic possession, as performed by parapsychologist Dr. June (Laura Gordon) and 13-year-old Lilly (Ingrid Torelli). On the spookiest night of the year, the demons are about to get real.

David Dastmalchian Strikes a Pose in October of 2023, Music Box Theatre, Chicago
Photo credit: Joe Arce for HollywoodChicago.com

The characters of David Dastmalchian exist in many universes, including that of the Marvel Studios and the DC Universe. He achieved blockbuster notoriety as the Russian Kurt, part of the “Antourage” in the Marvel Universe “Ant-Man” films, and has appeared as a villain in the DC Comic/CW series “The Flash” and as the mother-obsessed Polka-Dot Man in the DC film “Suicide Squad.”

His two most recent high profile roles were as Piter De Vries in “Dune” and as William Borden in “Oppenheimer.” Dastmalchian also had an independent film partnership with director Collin Schiffli … the award winning “Animals” (2014) and “All Creatures Here Below” (2018). And in his spare time, he has created a popular comic book … “Count Crowley” … and is a spokesperson for a casket company.

David Dastmalchian as Jack Delroy in ‘Late Night with the Devil’
Photo credit: IFC Films

The following Podtalk interview – with Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com – took place at the 59th Chicago International Film Festival in October of 2023. Photographer Joe Arce captured the Exclusive Portraits.

In the Podtalk, David Dastmalchian reflects on his featured role in “Late Night with the Devil” …

By PATRICK McDONALD Editor and Film Critic/Writer HollywoodChicago.com pat@hollywoodchicago.com