I had no idea this was an Australian film (it was made up the road from me at Docklands Studio). Whatever I knew about the movie came from Facebook. Did anyone in the Australian media landscape interview these guys when it came out? If they did, I missed it.  

The conceit is rather neat—especially when I discovered after the fact that an episode from The Don Lane Show inspired the plot. We begin with a slick, documentary-style prologue, informing us about the American late-night talk show “Night Owls” hosted by Jack Delroy (played by the underrated David Dastmalchian) along with his goofy sidekick Gus (played by Rhys Auteri). The prologue informs us that (a) “Night Owls”, once a genuine competitor to Johnny Carson, is now very much on the decline, facing the axe; (b) that a couple of years previously, Jack lost his wife to a savage form of cancer and (c) that the episode we are about to watch—a Halloween special “like no other” filmed in 1977—is the last episode of “Night Owls” ever screened, since believed lost or destroyed, but now recovered for our viewing pleasure (or horror!!!!).

While this is a “found footage” movie, it (mostly) avoids the one thing I dislike about that sub-genre: all the shaky cam. Ironically, that’s also a weakness of the film: the behind-the-scenes footage between ad breaks never feels shaky enough. Aside from that, the production values (especially considering the movie was made on the proverbial smell of an oily rag) are terrific (the episode does feel like it was made in the late 70s with the cheesy, brightly coloured lighting and set design). And while some of the plot beats are familiar (notably the section involving Christou, the psychic), there’s a scene toward the end involving the sceptic Carmichael Haig (played suitably oily by Ian Bliss) and possessed teenager Lilly (Ingrid Torelli freaked me the fuck out) that’s surprising and unnerving.

The ending has been divisive. I agree it joins dots that didn’t need joining (the movie has already done all the leg work to this point), but I can also appreciate why the Cairnes Brother felt it was required. It doesn’t ruin the movie, but I can imagine a better film without the last five minutes.

I’m curious to see what the Cairnes Brothers do next.

*A twice-weekly Australian television talk show co-hosted by American expat Don Lane and Aussie mainstay and legend Bert Newton. It ran for eight years (from 75 to 83) and was part of the background noise of my childhood (even if it was far too adult for me. Hey, Hey, It’s Saturday! was more my vibe).