Is Late Night Worth Watching?
Answer: Yes, Late Night is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Comedy movies.
It features a runtime of 102 minutes and offers a standard storyline that appeals to general audiences.
Late Night Review
Last updated: January 18, 2026
Detailed Premise & Narrative Foundations
Released in the dynamic cinematic landscape of 2019, Late Night emerges as a significant entry in the Comedy, Drama domain. The narrative core of the film focuses on a sophisticated exploration of A legendary late-night talk show host's world is turned upside down when she hires her only female staff writer. Unlike standard genre fare, Late Night attempts to deconstruct traditional tropes, offering a conventional take on its central themes.
Cast Performances: A Masterclass
The success of any Comedy is often anchored by its ensemble, and Late Night features a noteworthy lineup led by Emma Thompson . Supported by the likes of Mindy Kaling and Max Casella , the performances bring a palpable realism to the scripted words.
Performance Analysis: While the cast delivers competent and professional performances, they are occasionally hampered by a script that leans into familiar archetypes.
Final Verdict: Is it Worth Watching?
In summary, our editorial assessment of Late Night (2019) is mixed. With an audience rating of 6.4/10, it stands as a highly recommended experience for genre enthusiasts.
Late Night Plot Summary & Detailed Storyline
Quick Plot Summary: Late Night is a Comedy, Drama film that brings laughter through clever writing and comedic timing, offering both entertainment and social commentary. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict and narrative structure.
Story Breakdown
The comedic structure relies on both situational humor and character-based comedy. A legendary late-night talk show host's world is turned upside down when she hires her only female staff writer. Originally intended to smooth over diversity concerns, her decision has unexpectedly hilarious consequences as the two women separated by culture and generation are united by their love of a biting punchline. The film finds humor in relatable situations while maintaining narrative momentum. The jokes serve the story, with callbacks and running gags that reward attentive viewers.
Narrative Structure
- Opening Hook: The opening establishes the comedic tone and introduces the central conflict through humor and character quirks.
- Character Arc: The main character shows growth throughout the story, though some supporting characters could have been more fully realized. The arc is present but occasionally predictable.
- Climax & Resolution: The comedic climax ties together running gags and character arcs, delivering both laughs and emotional satisfaction.
Late Night Ending Explained & Final Analysis
Ending Breakdown: Late Night concludes its story with a mix of closure and open interpretation. The finale presents its approach to comedy resolution.
The emotional climax centers on character transformation, offering viewers material for post-viewing discussion.
Ending Analysis:
- Narrative Resolution: The story concludes by addressing its primary narrative threads, providing closure while maintaining some ambiguity.
- Character Arcs: Character journeys reach their narrative endpoints, reflecting the film's thematic priorities.
- Thematic Payoff: The ending reinforces the comedy themes established throughout the runtime.
The final moments of Late Night reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.
Who Should Watch Late Night?
Worth Watching If You:
- Enjoy Comedy films and don't mind familiar tropes
- Are a fan of the cast or director
- Want some laughs and light entertainment
Late Night Box Office Collection
| Metric / Region | Collection (Approx) |
|---|---|
| Production Budget | $4.0M |
| Worldwide Gross | $22.4M |
| Trade Verdict | FINANCIAL DISAPPOINTMENT |
Late Night Budget
The estimated production budget for Late Night is $4.0M. This figure covers principal photography, talent acquisitions, and visual effects. When accounting for global marketing and distribution, the break-even point is typically 2x the base production cost.
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Full Cast & Crew of Late Night
- Emma Thompson – Katherine Newbury
- Mindy Kaling – Molly Patel
- Max Casella – Burditt
- Hugh Dancy – Charlie Fain
- Denis O'Hare – Brad
Top Highlights
Emma ThompsonKatherine Newbury
Mindy KalingMolly Patel
Max CasellaBurditt
Hugh DancyCharlie Fain
Denis O'HareBrad
Reid ScottTom Campbell
Amy RyanCaroline Morton
Paul Walter HauserMancusco
John EarlyReynolds
John LithgowWalter Lovell
Where to Watch Late Night Online?
Streaming Hub🎟️ Rent on
Apple TV
Google Play Movies
YouTube
Amazon Video🏷️ Buy on
Apple TVGoogle Play MoviesYouTubeParents Guide & Age Rating
Late Night is rated R. It is intended for mature audiences only.
Final Verdict
Analyzing the audience sentiment, IMDb rating of 6.4/10, and global collection metrics, Late Night stands as a challenging project for the creators. It remains an essential piece of the 2019 cinematic year.
Official Trailer
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Late Night movie hit or flop?
Late Night has received mixed reviews with a 6.4/10 rating, making it a moderate success with the audience.
Is Late Night worth watching?
Late Night is a mixed bag. It might be worth watching if you're a fan of Comedy, Drama movies, but read reviews first.
Where can I watch Late Night online?
Late Night may be available for rent or purchase on digital platforms like Apple TV, Google Play, or Amazon Prime Video. Specific streaming availability can vary by country.
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How Late Night Compares & Where it Ranks
Critic Reviews for Late Night
Is ‘Late Night’ a perfect film? No. It could have used a few tweaks in the edit suite, and a couple more on the page. Yes, the “woman”, “women in comedy” and “woman of colour” angles are pushed and pushed hard - but then again, isn’t that what the movie is about? Nothing is too in-your-face or shoved down your throat, but you will notice it as these are things you don’t often come across in cinema (or ever). I just would have preferred if Kaling’s character had the personal and professional résumé to be right as well as just righteous, but that’s just me. Either way, she’s great and holds her own against the dynamo force that is Thompson, relishing in her element as a smart, powerful female with a mean streak. ‘Late Night’ is definitely worth the privilege of our time. - Jess Fenton Read Jess' full article... https://www.maketheswitch.com.au/article/review-late-night-the-ladies-of-comedy-have-come-to-make-waves
This had the potential to delver quite an insightful look into the workings of a late-night talkshow, but regrettably this opportunity was largely wasted. Emma Thompson plays the role of host "Katherine Newbury" well, but her character is pretty unlikeable and probably deserves for her tired old show to be cancelled. Mindy Kaling's "Molly" is the new kid on the writing team with the nouse to reverse the decline and re-establish her boss as a success, but again her persona doesn't really engage either. Sadly, the film is completely devoid of humour and aside from the few scenes with John Lithgow, is pretty unremarkable. Perhaps not quite meritorious of the "privilege of your time".
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This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.
