“We experimented with AI,” the directors of acclaimed horror Late Night With The Devil have said in a statement about its use of generative imagery.
The use of generative AI has been a controversial issue in recent months, sparking both fascination and alarm at the possibility that thousands of artists, writers and more besides could lose their jobs to increasingly sophisticated software.
Against this backdrop, the indie horror Late Night With The Devil has sparked a ripple of controversy as word has spread that it uses AI-generated images for a few brief sequences. The images appear as interstitial titles at certain points in the film, with one showing a skeleton looming above the words ‘Night Owls With Jack Delroy’ – the name of the fictional show that features in the film.
Word of the AI images soon spread on social media, with some users on Twitter/X expressing disappointment at their usage.
In the wake of this, co-directors Cameron and Colin Cairnes have issued a statement to Variety, admitting that they “experimented with AI”, and that those images appear as “very brief interstitials in the film.”
“In conjunction with our amazing graphics and production design team,” the pair wrote, “all of whom worked tirelessly to give this film the 70s aesthetic we had always imagined, we experimented with AI for three still images which we edited further and ultimately appear as very brief interstitials in the film.
“We feel incredibly fortunate to have had such a talented and passionate cast, crew and producing team go above and beyond to help bring this film to life. We can’t wait for everyone to see it for themselves this weekend.”
The directors’ found-footage horror that has garnered highly positive reviews so far – not least for star David Dastmalchian as a beleaguered talk show host. That its release has been blighted somewhat by its use of AI is a further reminder of how sensitive the subject is, both within creative communities and without.
Late Night With The Devil is out now in UK cinemas.
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